All flights going into and out of University Park Airport were cancelled today in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks throughout the country. For the first time ever, all commercial airline flights were cancelled across the nation.

At 9:45 today morning, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a statement canceling all commercial flights. All arriving international flights were diverted to Canada.

"Had it only been New York, that would have been scary enough," said Charles Welch, a manager at University Park Airport. "This was a master plan."

Welch said a large, fully loaded aircraft weighs in excess of 350,000 lbs. Full of fuel, it has the capability to essentially be a flying bomb.

The University Park Airport had a total of 46 flights arriving and departing today.

The last flight arrived at 9:30 today morning. The plane was scheduled to turn around and fly to Pittsburgh but remained on the runway in State College.

At the time of its arrival, passengers on the plane knew only vague details about the situation in New York.

"Passengers were visibly upset and somber," Welch said.

Some travelers at the airport today morning were in a state of shock after learning of the attacks, airport workers said.

"Two guys from New York were (pale), they had just gotten out of there," said Avis Station Manager Mark Mielke.

Some departing passengers had already checked their baggage when they learned of the flight cancellations.

They quickly retrieved their luggage from the plane and found other modes of transportation.

When passengers were told they would be unable to fly, many sought out car rental agencies in order to reach their destinations.

Rental agents said they had already rented to people driving to such places as Minnesota, Oklahoma City, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York.

The car rental agents said they had been busy all week due to the Career Fair at The Bryce Jordan Center. Several of the company representatives at the fair rented cars today and left a day early.

Although it costs less, renting a car and driving cross-country takes up significantly more time and is more taxing on travelers. Nonetheless, travelers were willing to sacrifice time and convenience to be home with their loved ones.

"People just want to get home with their families," said Hertz employee Christine Long. "Nobody's been asking about prices; they just want to get home."

Security around the airport was increased, prohibiting all vehicles from driving near the building. Pennsylvania State Police at Rockview assisted Penn State Police Services officers who usually patrol the airport.

The officers said they could not comment on the present security situation around the airport.

Even when confronted with the present situation, Welch was confident about airport security. "We meet FAA (security) requirements for an airport this size," he said.