Assessing a New Threat

On Aug. 10, when British police arrested 21 people in connection with a terrorist plot against planes flying to the United States, the rules of travel changed once again. In late August, M&C surveyed planners to find out how this incident affected their meetings and attitudes.

Just 21 percent of the 249 respondents said they are now more afraid to travel. The largest number, 45 percent, said they were happy to comply with restrictions on liquids and gels in carry-ons, while 41 percent find the new rules a hassle. Just three percent said they never carried the banned items anyway, and 11 percent griped about having to check more bags. Forty-five percent of the sample said they are now checking more bags when they fly, vs. 22 percent who aren’t and 33 percent who haven’t flown under the new rules yet.

As for meetings, only 22 percent said their organizations would react to the news by planning more meetings accessible by car or train, while 53 percent said their destinations wouldn’t change. The remaining 25 percent don’t know if they’ll plan more drive-in meetings.

Some respondents expect to be placing more meetings in the States, as almost a third of those surveyed (30 percent) will plan more domestic vs. international meetings as a result of the recent threats. When they do go overseas, 86 percent of the respondents said they will not avoid using U.S.-flagged carriers.

Technology companies might be seeing a small boost in business as a result of the thwarted attack; 18 percent of the sample said they will be planning more webcasts or audioconferences to avoid making their attendees travel.