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Sampling, data collection and tabulation for this poll were done by TNS Intersearch.

Perhaps inspired by Beamer and his fellow passengers aboard United Airlines Flight 93, 61 percent of Americans (especially men) say they'd stand and fight terrorists trying to take over their plane. Just 30 percent would leave it to "someone who's better able to handle it."

Would You Fight?
Yes	61%
No	30%

Hopefully, of course, it won't be necessary — and there are positive signs. Among those who've flown since Sept. 11, 79 percent say airport security is better than it was previously, including 33 percent who say it's much better.

Security Since 9/11
Security is:
Better	79%
Much Better	33%
Somewhat Better	46%
Same	17%
Worse	2%

Better security begets lesser fear. Today, 33 percent of Americans say they're worried about air travel because of the risk of terrorism, down from 42 percent in October and 59 percent two days after the Sept. 11 attacks. Just eight percent are now "very worried" about flying, down from 25 percent.

Worries are lower still among recent travelers. Just 23 percent of people who've flown since Sept. 11 say they're worried about flying, compared to 37 percent of those who haven't flown.

Inaction Seen as Greater Risk

The willingness of most air travelers to fight back may raise concerns about overreaction, but Americans themselves see inaction as a greater risk. Fifty-one percent say the bigger risk is that airplane passengers will not use force when it is necessary; fewer, one-third, say the bigger risk is that people will use force when it's unnecessary. Interestingly, both fighters and non-fighters think the bigger risk is inaction.

Women and older Americans are far more likely to say they'd leave the fighting to others. Just 44 percent of women would take action, compared to 80 percent of men; and 43 percent of those 65 and older would fight, compared to 64 percent of those who are younger.

Women are 16 points more likely than men are to express a fear of flying because of the risk of terrorism; and people in the Northeast, where the Sept. 11 hijackings occurred, are more worried about flying than those in other parts of the country.

Worried About Flying
Men	25%
Women	41%
Northeast	42%
Midwest	30%
South	35%
West	26%

Methodology

This ABCNEWS.com survey was conducted by telephone Jan. 30 -Feb. 3, 2002, among a random national sample of 1,029 adults. The results have a three-point error margin. Sampling, data collection and tabulation by TNS Intersearch of Horsham, Pa.

Previous ABCNEWS polls can be found in our PollVault.