Another plane goes down in NY. Is everyone okay? I heard that it wasn't thought to be a terrorist attack because people on the ground saw the engine go, but who could be sure? *sigh*

-- Anonymous, November 12, 2001

Answers

It's a small thing, but I finally emailed a college friend of mine who's from the Bronx, and the Dominican Republic before that. Her name wasn't on the passenger list, but I haven't yet heard back from her as to whether any of her relatives were on the plane.

-- Anonymous, November 14, 2001

I'm freaking out, even though it's entirely selfish.

I start a new job on Monday, and the Monday after Thanksgiving, they've informed me, I will be spending my weeks in - you guessed it - NYC, and flying home to Dallas for the weekends.

Makes me feel a little nauseated to think of all that flying back and forth, to THAT particular area, even though I'm excited as hell about the job. And, well, the frequent flyer miles.

-- Anonymous, November 14, 2001

Dawn. Lose your fears. In the name of SkyMiles, lose your fears.

I fly a lot for work - by the end of this month, I'll have flown at least a dozen times (making it about 20 times since the attacks). I flew in to Reagan National on Monday, and I'm flying into Dulles the Monday after Thanksgiving (and for Christmas, too). And by December 6, I will have my Medallion status, which means free first-class upgrades for me, baby.

The first few flights might be a little nerve-wracking, but do what I do: sit back, say a Hail Mary, and repeat, "SkyMiles...SkyMiles...SkyMiles..." By your fifth or sixth trip, when you log onto Delta.com and see that you are edging closer to Crown Room Club access, your fears should be assuaged.

Yes folks, I quell my fears of terrorism with glorius visions of capitalism.

-- Anonymous, November 14, 2001