Sept. 13, 2001 – An American Airlines jet plane grounded at Cyril E. King Airport since Tuesday after terrorist attacks on the mainland is scheduled to depart at 5 p.m. Thursday for New York's Kennedy International Airport.
Beverly Nicholson, executive director of the St. Thomas-St. John Hotel and Tourism Association, said those with confirmed reservations will get first priority to board the non-stop flight back to New York. The 172-seat plane had departed Kennedy Airport and was in the air en route to St. Thomas when the attacks occurred Tuesday morning.
The federal government opened airports around the country at 11 a.m., with the proviso that they comply with tough new security provisions before resume flights in or out. The Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix reopened to commercial traffic at 2 p.m.
Seaborne Airlines also commenced operations Thursday, with its first flight leaving St. Thomas for St. Croix at 2:30 p.m. Omer ErSelcuk, marketing manager, said flights are booked solid with passengers who have been waiting since Tuesday, as well as passengers in San Juan anxious to reach St. Thomas. Inter-island flights on Friday will begin at 6:30 a.m., he said.
Ben Grimes, St. Thomas FAA traffic controller, said only commercial flights are allowed to operate Thursday, including cargo carriers. He said he hopes the airport will be open to private, or special interest, air traffic starting Friday.
Camille Hatley, St. Croix FAA traffic controller, said around 3 p.m. Thursday that the Rohlsen Airport is open for commercial traffic, but "we haven't had a flight yet." She said she expected American Eagle flights in from San Juan later Thursday afternoon.
As part of beefed-up security nationwide, new parking restrictions are in effect at both airports. The new regulations do not allow passengers to park within 300 feet of an airport terminal. As a result, on St. Thomas, cars may only drop off and pick up passengers at the terminal. On St. Croix, a Port Authority spokesman said cars must pick up and drop off passengers in a designated area about 75 feet from the terminal, and that a special parking area is located about 300 feet from the terminal.
Nicholson said Delta Air Lines and American Eagle will probably resume St. Thomas flights on Friday. There was no immediate information about United Airlines, US Airways and Continental.
Lowell Dyer, station manager for American Airlines on St. Croix, said he expects the airline, the major mainland carrier providing service to the territory, to resume flying in and out of the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on Friday, too.
Cape Air, which serves St. Thomas, St. Croix and San Juan, had a flight scheduled to leave from St. Thomas for San Juan at 3:20 p.m. Thursday. Another was scheduled to leave St. Thomas for St. Croix at 3:30 p.m., station manager Jimmy Boulai said.
David Mapp, Port Authority assistant director, said the Port Authority had completed implementing security measures but declined to be specific. He also said that passenger security is up to the airlines.
Boulai said Cape Air passengers will face a barrage of security-oriented questions. Additionally, all baggage will go through scanners. "Everybody goes through the X-ray machine," he said. Also, he said, people who buy same-day tickets will face closer scrutiny than those with advance-purchase tickets. And anyone who raises the suspicions of Cape Air agents will face questioning by U.S. Customs and Immigration agents.
V.I. personnel referred questions about American Airlines security to Minnette Velez, the carrier's San Juan-based spokeswoman. Velez said she had no information. Later Thursday, American Airlines confirmed that the plane grounded at CEK would depart for New York at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Nicholson said about 1,200 visitors have been stranded at St. Thomas and St. John hotels because of the shut-down of airports.
While hoteliers hope that incoming visitors will fill the vacancies that will occur as those 1,200 visitors depart, cancellations are beginning to trickle in. "But there hasn't been an onslaught," Richard Doumeng, hotel association president, said. He said that his own property, Bolongo Bay Beach Club and Villas, and some other hotels are giving those holding reservations for coming dates about two weeks to cancel them without penalty.
Kathy Demar, who manages vacation villas on St. John, said she has received one cancellation, for a January date. The prospective guest told her that his wife already had a fear of flying and the attacks have made it impossible for her to get on an airplane.
AMERICAN FLIGHT HEADING BACK TO NEW YORK
Sept. 13, 2001 – An American Airlines jet plane grounded at Cyril E. King Airport since Tuesday after terrorist attacks on the mainland is scheduled to depart at 5 p.m. Thursday for New York's Kennedy International Airport.
Beverly Nicholson, executive director of the St. Thomas-St. John Hotel and Tourism Association, said those with confirmed reservations will get first priority to board the non-stop flight back to New York. The 172-seat plane had departed Kennedy Airport and was in the air en route to St. Thomas when the attacks occurred Tuesday morning.
The federal government opened airports around the country at 11 a.m. with the proviso that they comply with tough new security provisions before resume flights in or out. The Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix reopened to commercial traffic at 2 p.m.
Seaborne Airlines also commenced operations Thursday, with its first flight leaving St. Thomas for St. Croix at 2:30 p.m. Omer ErSelcuk, marketing manager, said flights are booked solid with passengers who have been waiting since Tuesday, as well as passengers in San Juan anxious to reach St. Thomas. Inter-island flights on Friday will begin at 6:30 a.m., he said.
Ben Grimes, St. Thomas FAA traffic controller, said only commercial flights are allowed to operate Thursday, including cargo carriers. He said he hopes the airport will be open to private, or special interest, air traffic starting Friday.
Camille Hatley, St. Croix FAA traffic controller, said around 3 p.m. Thursday that the Rohlsen Airport is open for commercial traffic but "we haven't had a flight yet." She said she expected American Eagle flights in from San Juan later Thursday afternoon.
As part of beefed-up security nationwide, new parking restrictions are in effect at both airports. The new regulations do not allow passengers to park within 300 feet of an airport terminal. As a result, on St. Thomas, cars may only drop off and pick up passengers at the terminal. On St. Croix, a Port Authority spokesman said cars must pick up and drop off passengers in a designated area about 75 feet from the terminal, and that a special parking area is located about 300 feet from the terminal.
Nicholson said Delta Air Lines and American Eagle will probably resume St. Thomas flights on Friday. There was no immediate information about United Airlines, US Airways and Continental.
Lowell Dyer, station manager for American Airlines on St. Croix, said he expects the airline, the major mainland carrier providing service to the territory, to resume flying in and out of the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on Friday, too.
Cape Air, which serves St. Thomas, St. Croix and San Juan, had a flight scheduled to leave from St. Thomas for San Juan at 3:20 p.m. Thursday. Another was scheduled to leave St. Thomas for St. Croix at 3:30 p.m., station manager Jimmy Boulai said.
David Mapp, Port Authority assistant director, said the Port Authority had completed implementing security measures but declined to be specific. He also said that passenger security is up to the airlines.
Boulai said Cape Air passengers will face a barrage of security-oriented questions. Additionally, all baggage will go through scanners. "Everybody goes through the X-ray machine," he said. Also, he said, people who buy same-day tickets will face closer scrutiny than those with advance-purchase tickets. And anyone who raises the suspicions of Cape Air agents will face questioning by U.S. Customs and Immigration agents.
V.I. personnel referred questions about American Airlines security to Minnette Velez, the carrier's San Juan-based spokeswoman. Velez said she had no information. Later Thursday, American Airlines confirmed that the plane grounded at CEK would depart for New York at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Nicholson said about 1,200 visitors have been stranded at St. Thomas and St. John hotels because of the shut-down of airports.
While hoteliers hope that incoming visitors will fill the vacancies that will occur as those 1,200 visitors depart, cancellations are beginning to trickle in. "But there hasn't been an onslaught," Richard Doumeng, hotel association president, said. He said that his own property, Bolongo Bay Beach Club and Villas, and some other hotels are giving those holding reservations for coming dates about two weeks to cancel them without penalty.
Kathy Demar, who manages vacation villas on St. John, said she has received one cancellation, for a January date. The prospective guest told her that his wife already had a fear of flying and the attacks have made it impossible for her to get on an airplane.
Beverly Nicholson, executive director of the St. Thomas-St. John Hotel and Tourism Association, said those with confirmed reservations will get first priority to board the non-stop flight back to New York. The 172-seat plane had departed Kennedy Airport and was in the air en route to St. Thomas when the attacks occurred Tuesday morning.
The federal government opened airports around the country at 11 a.m. with the proviso that they comply with tough new security provisions before resume flights in or out. The Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix reopened to commercial traffic at 2 p.m.
Seaborne Airlines also commenced operations Thursday, with its first flight leaving St. Thomas for St. Croix at 2:30 p.m. Omer ErSelcuk, marketing manager, said flights are booked solid with passengers who have been waiting since Tuesday, as well as passengers in San Juan anxious to reach St. Thomas. Inter-island flights on Friday will begin at 6:30 a.m., he said.
Ben Grimes, St. Thomas FAA traffic controller, said only commercial flights are allowed to operate Thursday, including cargo carriers. He said he hopes the airport will be open to private, or special interest, air traffic starting Friday.
Camille Hatley, St. Croix FAA traffic controller, said around 3 p.m. Thursday that the Rohlsen Airport is open for commercial traffic but "we haven't had a flight yet." She said she expected American Eagle flights in from San Juan later Thursday afternoon.
As part of beefed-up security nationwide, new parking restrictions are in effect at both airports. The new regulations do not allow passengers to park within 300 feet of an airport terminal. As a result, on St. Thomas, cars may only drop off and pick up passengers at the terminal. On St. Croix, a Port Authority spokesman said cars must pick up and drop off passengers in a designated area about 75 feet from the terminal, and that a special parking area is located about 300 feet from the terminal.
Nicholson said Delta Air Lines and American Eagle will probably resume St. Thomas flights on Friday. There was no immediate information about United Airlines, US Airways and Continental.
Lowell Dyer, station manager for American Airlines on St. Croix, said he expects the airline, the major mainland carrier providing service to the territory, to resume flying in and out of the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on Friday, too.
Cape Air, which serves St. Thomas, St. Croix and San Juan, had a flight scheduled to leave from St. Thomas for San Juan at 3:20 p.m. Thursday. Another was scheduled to leave St. Thomas for St. Croix at 3:30 p.m., station manager Jimmy Boulai said.
David Mapp, Port Authority assistant director, said the Port Authority had completed implementing security measures but declined to be specific. He also said that passenger security is up to the airlines.
Boulai said Cape Air passengers will face a barrage of security-oriented questions. Additionally, all baggage will go through scanners. "Everybody goes through the X-ray machine," he said. Also, he said, people who buy same-day tickets will face closer scrutiny than those with advance-purchase tickets. And anyone who raises the suspicions of Cape Air agents will face questioning by U.S. Customs and Immigration agents.
V.I. personnel referred questions about American Airlines security to Minnette Velez, the carrier's San Juan-based spokeswoman. Velez said she had no information. Later Thursday, American Airlines confirmed that the plane grounded at CEK would depart for New York at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Nicholson said about 1,200 visitors have been stranded at St. Thomas and St. John hotels because of the shut-down of airports.
While hoteliers hope that incoming visitors will fill the vacancies that will occur as those 1,200 visitors depart, cancellations are beginning to trickle in. "But there hasn't been an onslaught," Richard Doumeng, hotel association president, said. He said that his own property, Bolongo Bay Beach Club and Villas, and some other hotels are giving those holding reservations for coming dates about two weeks to cancel them without penalty.
Kathy Demar, who manages vacation villas on St. John, said she has received one cancellation, for a January date. The prospective guest told her that his wife already had a fear of flying and the attacks have made it impossible for her to get on an airplane.
WHY NOT TELL PEOPLE WHAT'S HAPPENING?
Dear Source,
From Louisiana, where currently am, I just read the Thursday article on the Cyril E. King Airport closing and had to chuckle to myself — not because it was funny, but because of the way it was handled. I'm saddened at the manner in which business is done in the name of protecting people but it's not really protecting or assisting, but denying information that would put people at ease.
On the Baton Rouge, La., news last night, a reporter was at the airport talking to the director of operations for the facility. He assured passengers that they could come to the airport to check on reservations and do business at the counters, but that no one would be allowed past the security check-point area.
His explanation of the daily security measures that are being taken by the airport was really reassuring. There was never a hint of hostility in his voice to make anyone even think that they did not have a right to go to the airport.
I just wanted to express this because I am yet to understand why local officials are angry and can't get it right as to how to treat others as they would want to be treated. Or maybe I've got it wrong; maybe they do.
Maxine Fredericks
St. Thomas
From Louisiana, where currently am, I just read the Thursday article on the Cyril E. King Airport closing and had to chuckle to myself — not because it was funny, but because of the way it was handled. I'm saddened at the manner in which business is done in the name of protecting people but it's not really protecting or assisting, but denying information that would put people at ease.
On the Baton Rouge, La., news last night, a reporter was at the airport talking to the director of operations for the facility. He assured passengers that they could come to the airport to check on reservations and do business at the counters, but that no one would be allowed past the security check-point area.
His explanation of the daily security measures that are being taken by the airport was really reassuring. There was never a hint of hostility in his voice to make anyone even think that they did not have a right to go to the airport.
I just wanted to express this because I am yet to understand why local officials are angry and can't get it right as to how to treat others as they would want to be treated. Or maybe I've got it wrong; maybe they do.
Maxine Fredericks
St. Thomas
Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.
THOSE WHO WAGE WAR CANNOT SEE THE FUTURE
Dear Source:
Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with each one of us.
Thoughts on the wanton destruction of life caused by the thoughtless value placed on existence and extinction: When bodies of children, mothers, daughters and fathers whose lives have been exterminated because of a difference in ideology are piled like endless stacks of firewood, whose purpose does this serve? Warfare does nothing but take the innocent along with those who propose to bring a change for the better. Where is the justice, and who will speak for those who are no more?
Abandoned dreams and hopes are smashed by oppression, hate and intolerance brought on by the judgments formed on the foundation of ignorance, fear and the lack of respect for those who are different and usually have the most to lose. Why can we always find money to support a war, but there's never enough to feed the poor?
Radical leaders who demonstrate peace do not quiver under the threat of death but take a stand when they are most criticized for not participating in mute regimes. They know that to keep their silence is giving open consent to wrongdoing which will affect the future of those held close their hearts.
We go into this century fooled by power and greed, yet we have not learned the lessons of the past. Devastations of war such as famine, orphans, homelessness, hopelessness, plague and disease, just to name a few, have rendered us vulnerable to those we have wreaked havoc on. Revelation is revealed, but do we take heed? No, we who cause and fuel war bring these apocalypses on ourselves and cannot see the future because we only focus on the present.
Caroline A. Browne
St. Thomas
Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with each one of us.
Thoughts on the wanton destruction of life caused by the thoughtless value placed on existence and extinction: When bodies of children, mothers, daughters and fathers whose lives have been exterminated because of a difference in ideology are piled like endless stacks of firewood, whose purpose does this serve? Warfare does nothing but take the innocent along with those who propose to bring a change for the better. Where is the justice, and who will speak for those who are no more?
Abandoned dreams and hopes are smashed by oppression, hate and intolerance brought on by the judgments formed on the foundation of ignorance, fear and the lack of respect for those who are different and usually have the most to lose. Why can we always find money to support a war, but there's never enough to feed the poor?
Radical leaders who demonstrate peace do not quiver under the threat of death but take a stand when they are most criticized for not participating in mute regimes. They know that to keep their silence is giving open consent to wrongdoing which will affect the future of those held close their hearts.
We go into this century fooled by power and greed, yet we have not learned the lessons of the past. Devastations of war such as famine, orphans, homelessness, hopelessness, plague and disease, just to name a few, have rendered us vulnerable to those we have wreaked havoc on. Revelation is revealed, but do we take heed? No, we who cause and fuel war bring these apocalypses on ourselves and cannot see the future because we only focus on the present.
Caroline A. Browne
St. Thomas
Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.
CYRIL E. KING AIRPORT NOT READY TO OPEN
Sept. 13, 2001 – Cars heading to Cyril E. King Airport Thursday morning were met by a Port Authority Police van blocking the road. Although a provisional green light had been given by the federal government for the nation's airports to resume traffic at 11 a.m. Thursday, the St. Thomas facility remained closed at noon, pending implementation of newly mandated security measures.
Port Authority Police Sgt. Merlin Christian had been given instructions to turn traffic back.
In the meantime, Ben Grimes, St. Thomas air traffic controller, said in answer to questions about when the airport would re-open, "I wish we knew. We want to open, but the onus is on each airport and each airline to implement security measures, and St. Thomas's aren't ready to go yet."
Only airline and airport employees were being allowed to enter the airport. A perplexed individual turned back by Christian said he just wanted to go to the Planning and Natural Resources Department offices on the upper floor of the airport terminal to get a permit which a DPNR staff member had just told him to come and pick up.
Representatives of the Avis and Hertz rental car companies stood at the airport entrance, telling their customers to return their cars to the company's maintenance facilities nearby.
Christian said only employees of Rush It and other businesses with offices at the airport were being allowed to enter. Customers will have to wait until the airport officially reopens, she said, patiently explaining to car after car that she didn't know when that would be.
Port Authority Police Sgt. Merlin Christian had been given instructions to turn traffic back.
In the meantime, Ben Grimes, St. Thomas air traffic controller, said in answer to questions about when the airport would re-open, "I wish we knew. We want to open, but the onus is on each airport and each airline to implement security measures, and St. Thomas's aren't ready to go yet."
Only airline and airport employees were being allowed to enter the airport. A perplexed individual turned back by Christian said he just wanted to go to the Planning and Natural Resources Department offices on the upper floor of the airport terminal to get a permit which a DPNR staff member had just told him to come and pick up.
Representatives of the Avis and Hertz rental car companies stood at the airport entrance, telling their customers to return their cars to the company's maintenance facilities nearby.
Christian said only employees of Rush It and other businesses with offices at the airport were being allowed to enter. Customers will have to wait until the airport officially reopens, she said, patiently explaining to car after car that she didn't know when that would be.
CYRIL E. KING AIRPORT NOT READY TO OPEN
Sept. 13, 2001 – Cars heading to Cyril E. King Airport on Thursday morning were met by a Port Authority police van blocking the road. Although a provisional green light had been given by the federal government for the nation's airports to resume traffic at 11 a.m. Thursday, the St. Thomas facility remained closed at noon, pending implementation of newly mandated security measures.
Port Authority Police Sgt. Merlin Christian had been given instructions to turn traffic back.
In the meantime, Ben Grimes, St. Thomas air traffic controller, said in answer to questions about when the airport would re-open, "I wish we knew. We want to open, but the onus is on each airport and each airline to implement security measures, and St. Thomas's aren't ready to go yet."
Only airline and airport employees were being allowed to enter the airport. A perplexed individual turned back by Christian said he just wanted to go to the Planning and Natural Resources Department offices on the upper floor of the airport terminal to get a permit which a DPNR staff member had just told him to come and pick up.
Representatives of the Avis and Hertz rental car companies stood at the airport entrance, telling their customers to return their cars to the company's maintenance facilities nearby.
Christian said only employees of Rush It and other businesses with offices at the airport were being allowed to enter. Customers will have to wait until the airport officially reopens, she said, patiently explaining to car after car that she didn't know when that would be.
Port Authority Police Sgt. Merlin Christian had been given instructions to turn traffic back.
In the meantime, Ben Grimes, St. Thomas air traffic controller, said in answer to questions about when the airport would re-open, "I wish we knew. We want to open, but the onus is on each airport and each airline to implement security measures, and St. Thomas's aren't ready to go yet."
Only airline and airport employees were being allowed to enter the airport. A perplexed individual turned back by Christian said he just wanted to go to the Planning and Natural Resources Department offices on the upper floor of the airport terminal to get a permit which a DPNR staff member had just told him to come and pick up.
Representatives of the Avis and Hertz rental car companies stood at the airport entrance, telling their customers to return their cars to the company's maintenance facilities nearby.
Christian said only employees of Rush It and other businesses with offices at the airport were being allowed to enter. Customers will have to wait until the airport officially reopens, she said, patiently explaining to car after car that she didn't know when that would be.
REPUBLICAN PARTY FOOD SALE
The St. Thomas/St. John/Water Island Branch of the Republican Party will hold a food sale beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, in the Fort Christian Parking Lot.
Tickets can be obtained at Jimmie Bee's Restaurant, V.I. Rum Cake Shop or from Republican members.
Native dishes will be served and the public is cordially invited.
Tickets can be obtained at Jimmie Bee's Restaurant, V.I. Rum Cake Shop or from Republican members.
Native dishes will be served and the public is cordially invited.
REPUBLICAN PARTY FOOD SALE
The St. Thomas/St. John/Water Island Branch of the Republican Party will hold a food sale beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Fort Christian Parking Lot.
Tickets can be obtained at Jimmie Bee's Restaurant, V. I. Rum Cake Shop or from Republican members.
Native dishes will be served and the public is cordially invited.
Tickets can be obtained at Jimmie Bee's Restaurant, V. I. Rum Cake Shop or from Republican members.
Native dishes will be served and the public is cordially invited.
CHAMBER AFTER HOURS AT UVI
The University of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix Campus, will host the St. croix Chamber of Commerce's Business After Hours at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20, at the Student Center.
The UVI's Divisions of Business Administration and Institutional Advancement will be featured. There will be door prizes and cash bar.
For more information call 773-1435.
The UVI's Divisions of Business Administration and Institutional Advancement will be featured. There will be door prizes and cash bar.
For more information call 773-1435.
CHAMBER AFTER HOURS AT UVI CAMPUS
The University of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix Campus, will host the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce's Business After Hours at 5:30 p.m on Thursday, Sept. 20, at the Student Center.
The UVI's Division of Business Administration and Institutional Advancement will be featured. There will be door prizes and a cash bar.
For more informaiton call 773-1435.
The UVI's Division of Business Administration and Institutional Advancement will be featured. There will be door prizes and a cash bar.
For more informaiton call 773-1435.
