From Philip Massey (MASS-ie), an astronomer in Flagstaff, Arizona:

Several times this week, you've referred to the fact that planes are
flying half empty, and wondering if the airlines will survive until
the public has gotten over its fear of flying.

For the past 20 years I've traveled to Cerro Tololo in northern Chile to
study objects in ths southern sky.  This year a collaborator resident in
Chile has agreed to carry out the observations for me, while I examine
the data in real-time using the internet from my office in Arizona.

My reasons for canceling the trip were 
more complex than just a fear of flying.  As a nation,
I think we are collectively holding our breath, waiting to see what
happens next---both what additional acts terroritists may do, and also
what our country may do militarily.  It seems a good time to stick close
to home, and not be away from our loved ones.  Additional
security precautions for airlines are being discussed, such as armed sky
marshalls on many flights, and improved screening procedures at airports,
but have not yet been implemented.  And the airlines themselves
are making it more difficult to travel, by canceling many flights with
only a day's notice.

So, this year I will study stars in the Magellanic Clouds without leaving
home. What I am giving up is seeing old friends, enjoying the views
from the Cerro Tololo dining room, and actually seeing the southern sky
for myself.  A very experienced colleague once said that he needs to
"smell the night" for himself.  Next time.  



Note added in 2004:
The data collected by Knut Olsen (CTIO) while Phil kibitized over the
internet from his office in Flagstaff was published in the December
2003 Astronomical Journal. And, Phil DID go to Chile himself the following
year, and got to "smell the night" while the Magellanic Clouds and the 
Southern Cross circled.