By james art 
American Airlines is the only airline to take off from Tyler Pound Regional Airport, and director Steve Thompson said priorities at the airport will not change.
Tyler, Texas – the deadly clash between an aircraft airplane and an army helicopter struck over 1100 miles in Washington this week. But concerns about flying are growing in Eastern Texas.
Then many people remain shaken, including those in Piney Woods.
“I no longer like to take planes and especially travel a lot in Texas, and that makes me want to drive more than fly,” said David Lepe.
Grass, honor, is already on the edge after the American Airlines aircraft collided in the middle of the air with the Black Hawk army helicopter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night.
“It’s kind of aware that traveling with air will not always be safe,” said Lepe. “What is the protocol at that moment?”
But for Jason Lopez, fear is not on the top of his mind.
“In fact, nothing has changed. It was a bad incident, not something that will happen every day,” Lopez said.
At Tyler Pound Regional Airport, director Steve Thompson has been flying military and civilian planes for years, and he says his thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by this tragedy.
“Commercial and airlines are so rare that this is such a rare event that when I first heard me to talk, I like: ‘wow, this is terrible, I instantly thought it was a small plane that we see these days today “said Thompson.” After being in the industry for many years, the effects are not only for those who are immediately participating, but also all who support the operation, the people at the airports, the people of the airlines, the first answers. “
The American is the only airline that took off from Tyler and Thompson, says their daily priorities at the airport will not change.
“Our priority every day is to really provide a facility that guarantees that travelers feel safe, safe and confident of flying,” Thompson said.
Those at Tyler Airport also want to keep the passengers possible to fly peacefully.
“I always tell people that your most dangerous part of your trip is statistical, your driving to the airport and that doesn’t change today,” said Thompson.
He is confident that more protocols will be introduced after this tragedy. Thompson also says that airport employees are going through training to guarantee the safety of everyone on board.
“Right here, in Tyler, FAA requires us to do them every three years and do mass exercises for victims, where we simulate an event, very similar to what you saw last night,” said Thompson.
