(MONEY Magazine) – Despite all the fears about terrorist attacks since the start of the gulf war, veteran security experts say air travel today may be less dangerous than it was in the recent past. Terrorism may, however, become more frightening later this year. ''It's a safe time to fly now,'' asserts Isaac Yeffet, of Yeffet Security Consultants in Cliffside Park, N.J. Yeffet's opinion is an educated one: before founding his own firm, he was head of security for El Al from 1978 to 1984 and also served in the Israeli secret service. Yeffet describes the level of security as ''exceedingly high.'' He explains: ''A few years ago, security guards sometimes had only four hours of training in operating metal detectors. Now they learn how to search for weapons, spot suspects and tell when someone's lying.'' Security at American airports is tighter than it's ever been. Besides tough new measures imposed after the Pan Am Lockerbie disaster in 1988, the Federal Aviation Administration has beefed up security even more over the past eight months. In addition, your chances of actually being killed in a terrorist attack have always been very low: one in a million, calculates Brian Jenkins, ! a Los Angeles senior managing director at Kroll Associates, an international security firm. You're much more likely -- if it's any comfort -- to be killed in a car accident (one in 4,500). But people remain jittery, of course. To minimize any risk in air travel these days, here's what you need to know: Are airlines and airports safe? For the short term, you're probably wise not to go anywhere in the Mideast. Experts say there's no compelling reason, however, to avoid Europe. Brian Jenkins adds a cautionary note: ''I suggest people postpone nonessential travel simply because it's nerve-racking.'' For postwar travel plans, the advice changes. ''There will be terrorist attacks in the Mideast, North Africa and Western Europe for six months to one year following the war,'' predicts Christopher Grose, executive director of Control Risks North America, an international security firm. Still, except for clear-cut danger areas, says Grose, companies should maintain business as usual. And he thinks vacationers should take ''a few precautions, such as avoiding U.S. embassies or government-sponsored events.'' Are any airlines and airports safer than others? Most airlines, Jenkins points out, including Lufthansa and Swissair, have experienced some type of terrorist attack. Most have therefore taken lessons from El Al's painstaking security procedures. Peter Savage, author of The Safe Travel Book (Lexington Books, $12.95) adds that ''hub routes such as Frankfurt-London-New York are higher profile and more likely to be targets. Terrorists want to attract attention.'' Will the new security cause inconvenience? As part of the FAA's intense Level IV security, most U.S. airports now ban curbside check-in, forbid parking within 100 feet of terminals, search baggage and passengers carefully, seize radios and require removal of batteries from laptops and the like before boarding. You should figure on long delays and therefore get to airports at least two hours early. But right now with travel down 25% to 40%, airports are empty, service is terrific and, if you're not the nervous type -- surprisingly -- it's a convenient time to fly. What should you do before traveling overseas? Gather as much information as you can about the places you plan to visit, urges George Ronne of Marsh & McLennan Protection Consultants. -- Call the Citizens Emergency Center (202-647-5225) at the Department of State for regions and countries on the State Department's advisory list. ; -- Check computer networks for updates from the Overseas Security Advisory Council (703-204-6185). -- Quiz knowledgeable travelers. In particular, Peter Savage suggests international loan officers at major banks. ''When I call,'' he says, ''I ask to speak to someone who's just returned from wherever I'm headed.'' Are there any extra safety measures to take? For the utmost caution: -- Don't pick up tickets at airline offices, which are frequent bomb targets. Have them mailed. -- Get boarding passes for all legs of your trip by mail or from travel agents to cut waiting time in terminals. -- If possible, wait in airline VIP clubs which only admit members. Ultimately, agree the experts, the new security measures are effective. But they also say to heed your state of mind: if traveling now would make you too jumpy to conduct business or enjoy a trip, postpone it.