Fear not a factor for spring breakers in '02

Some Americans chose not to fly after the Sept. 11 attacks. But spring break travel plans don't seem to be affected, said Maria Pyle, a travel agent at Nittany Travel, 2603 E. College Ave.

"There's still a lot of interest," she said.

"It changed for a little while (after the attacks), but for the most part, things are pretty much back to normal," Pyle said.

Pyle attributed the continued increase in spring break to many students' desire to have fun and unwind.

"People just want to go party," she said.

Paul Podwika, travel agent at Cruise Holidays, 1341 S. Atherton St., said that after New Year's, business bounced back.

"Back in October, that was a disaster," he said. "But things have really changed. We couldn't be busier."

Sandy Berardis, travel agent at Centre for Travel Inc., 114 S. Hiester St., has also seen business increase since December.

"There was a lull September to December, but it's totally picked up since then," she said. "It's like nothing ever happened."

Berardis added that this increase is probably the result of most Americans trying to return to normal.

"I think people just want to get back to their normal American way," she said.

Some students are also expressing this sentiment.

Ken Ying (sophomore-industrial engineering), said although he does not have plans for the break yet, he is not afraid to get on an airplane.

"I would fly," he said. "I feel that the security measures put in place are adequate."

Melissa Hanlon (senior-crime, law and justice) said a fear of flying will not stop her from traveling to Las Vegas this spring break, even though she is a little nervous.

"I never flew before," she said.

Marianne Tropp (senior-public relations) also said she was not afraid to fly.

"I flew over Christmas vacation," she said. "There was a little tighter security, but it wasn't even as bad as I thought it would be."