Myths About Air Travel

The first myth about air travel that has been shattered since the terrorist attack on America in September 2001 is that flying is a pleasant experience. The skies United flies are no longer friendly. American Airlines isn't something special in the air any more. Delta can no longer claim they love to fly and it shows. Continental no longer moves its tail for you.

I flew Southwest just a few days ago out of Los Angeles (LAX), one of the busiest airports in the world. From the moment I stepped on the curb into a milling, frantic mob, I was swept up into an hour of at least three different, time-consuming, long lines for security checks.

The finale before I got to the waiting area was the now-enforced emptying of pockets, taking off shoes, dragging my bag up on the table, pushing those plastic boxes full of my stuff into the maw of the x-ray machine, having my carry-on bag defiled and being prodded with a body-search bar. The flight was jammed full, and at least a dozen unhappy stand-by volunteers were left standing by in the airport. Southwest's ad slogan of, "You're now free to move about the country" sounds very hollow these days.Of course, I'm well aware of the reasons for the heavy security, and the fears that more Middle East religious maniacs could pull another suicide disaster at any time. However, despite the happy flying advertisements, the myth of enjoyable air travel is now just a pleasant memory, and travelers should be well aware of it and do their best to cope with a bad situation that seems to be getting worse daily.

Another myth is that if you make unauthorized use your cellphone, radio or laptop computer during take-off and landing, you could cause interference in cockpit signals and put the aircraft in dire danger. Cabin attendants keep that warning going, still following FAA rules. However, recent careful demonstrations by communications experts have proved that modern technology has made that warning a myth. But, just to be safe from an attendant confiscating your toy, you should keep following the unnecessary instructions.

There's also the myth that airliners recirculate dirty, already breathed air, and it could make you sick. If that was ever true, it is false in today's modern airliners. The cabin air is captured and thoroughly filtered, and along with mostly outside air, is circulated. Cabin air is totally replaced about every 20 minutes. Inspectors constantly check the air filter systems of aircraft, and there has never been any scientific proof of foul cabin air making any passengers sick.

On the other hand, in today's crowded airplanes, where five-across passengers' faces are no more than a few inches from each other, air-borne illnesses, such as colds and flu, do get passed around by those who were sick before they boarded. There's not much you can do about it except ask for another seat or wear a surgical mask during your flight. Some Asian airlines actually do provide masks when requested.

It is a myth that X-ray machines in airport security check-in areas can cause cancer, or worse, see right through your clothing or erase your computer's hard drive. Radiation doses put out by those machines are about 1/100th of the radiation power of the X-ray machine in your doctor's or dentist's office. You'd have to climb into an airport x-ray machine, turn it on and sit there for a couple of months before it would have any radiation effect on you.

One persistent myth is that weekend flights are always the most expensive. If you're savvy about airline reservation surfing on the internet, and are prepared to do some grab-your-bag-last-minute weekend flying, you may find some lower prices on the web. To get more information, check up on weekend and red-eye night flight discount policies with travel agencies and the airlines, such as at American and Delta.

There are many myths about airline flying that were either never true, or are no longer in effect. Sadly, no hassle boarding, cheap and comfortable flights, free in-air meals with booze, and non-stop cross-country schedules are fast fading into a dreamland myth.