Boston blasts: Is it safe to travel to the US?

Don’t cancel your travel plans‚ but expect longer lines as security is beefed up in the wake of Monday’s bombings at the Boston Marathon. 

Three people were killed and more than 100 injured when two pipe bombs exploded near the finish line.  Sixteen Bermuda residents were among the runners (see next page), but mercifully, none were hurt.

Airlines are allowing people to change their travels plans to or through Boston in response to Monday’s tragedy, and US Consul General Bob Settje and local travel experts say it is safe to visit the city.

Mr Settje said: “What happened in Boston was a horrific tragedy, and our hearts go out to all those who were killed and injured and to their families.  

“The US Consulate has no information that would lead us to advise people not to travel to Boston or anywhere else in the United States. We would, however, advise travellers to be cognizant of their surroundings and to exercise common sense.”

Kim Darrell, general manager at Meyer Franklin Travel, told the Bermuda Sun it is still safe to travel to Boston and other east coast US cities.

“Some of the airlines are giving people the option to change their travel plans if they are going to or through Boston. 

“There is a lockdown in Boston and it is on high alert at the moment. If people didn’t want to go there they could go to another destination without any penalties.” 

She said while it is safe, with all the heightened security, it may not be the best time to travel to Boston at this time.

There are longer lines to pass through the security checkpoints and there is heightened security as Massachusetts State troopers patrol the airport.

Fox News reported a United Airlines flight that was headed to Chicago yesterday was brought back to the gate after two men who were speaking Arabic to each other, raised concerns among runners who had taken part in the Boston Marathon on Monday. The two men, who were not seated next to each other, were taken off the flight. 

And a US Airways flight from Philadelphia that landed at Logan yesterday was searched after a ‘popping sound’ was heard from a carry-on bag. CBS News reported that one passenger thought they saw smoke emerging from the bag and all passengers were escorted off the plane and detained as investigators, along with a bomb-sniffing dog, searched the aircraft while fire trucks and ambulances waited close by.

Ms Darrell said no one from Bermuda has cancelled their flights to the city in the aftermath.

“We haven’t had anybody call to cancel or to even re-route through Boston even though the airlines are offering it. Bermudians, in general, will continue to travel. However, I can’t see next week it being a problem. Unfortunately, this is the era we live in now and it can happen anywhere. I don’t think it will deter people from travelling except perhaps for the next few days when it is fresh on people’s minds.”

She added: “Thank God all the Bermudians were safe and we feel sorry for all those who were injured or killed.”

Pat Trott, senior travel advisor for C Travel, told the Bermuda Sun: “C Travel are not discouraging people from travelling to Boston, as we follow the High Alert notices of the airlines.”