If terrorists have any more plans to hijack American jetliners, they'd better be prepared for planes full of hostile passengers.

        Public admiration appears widespread for the heroes of United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed in rural Pennsylvania last week after passengers apparently resisted hijackers and prevented the plane from crashing into a Washington, D.C., landmark.

        “Before those planes went down, I probably would not have done anything (if a hijacker took over his flight). But now, I definitely would try to stop it,” said Jeff Leinberger, a 28-year-old Mount Adams resident and frequent flier.

        “You have to admire that they'd give their lives to save others,” Mr. Leinberger said.

        Mr. Leinberger is among those who have dared to return to the air after the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. He took a Comair flight Tuesday for a business trip to Grand Rapids, Mich. The flight normally has 50 or more passengers. But on Tuesday, it had just five.

        “It was a little eerie. The whole airport was slow,” Mr. Leinberger said.

        Another frequent flier, Batavia resident Garry Skinner, said he was aboard a plane destined for Atlanta when the Sept. 11 attacks occurred. The passengers circled Atlanta for more than an hour and were told nothing about the disaster until after they landed.

        “I'd do what I could,” Mr. Skinner said. “But I'm 60 years old, and I'm probably not one of those who would initiate something with 35-year-old guys carrying knives. But would I join in? If I could, yes I would. I have all the admiration in the world for those guys who did that.”

        Whether he ever has to act against a hijacker, he's not going to let terrorism keep him out of the skies.

        “Life goes on. I'm getting on an airplane next week. I'm not going to let them scare me,” Mr. Skinner said.

        Barry Schlimme, a 51-year-old resident of Fort Mitchell, makes several sales trips a year for a large candle making company. He was on a hiking trip in Yellowstone National Park when the Sept. 11 attacks occurred, yet he had few qualms about returning home Sunday by jet.

        He said he was struck by the new tone the pilot set when talking to passengers before takeoff.

        “He said, "Our first responsibility is to ensure your safety, but there are times, in light of what has happened, that you are responsible for yourself. If you see a flight attendant in trouble, do your part.'”

        “The pilot really laid it out for people,” Mr. Schlimme said. “We can all be safe as long as we're all vigilant.”

        The frequent fliers said they've felt somewhat comforted by beefed-up security.

        New rules from the Federal Aviation Administration forbid curbside check-ins, unoccupied cars parked near airports, ticketless passengers at gates, and sharp knives aboard planes.

        Security staff and scrutiny have sharply increased in airport terminals, and more sky marshals are traveling on commercial flights.

        “It seems safer than it was before. I had to show my ID and ticket three different times,” Mr. Leinberger said.

        USA Today contributed to this report.

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