Cary's 9/11 Story

10 years ago tonight I had no idea what the next day would bring. I did not know that my life, or at least my perception of it, would changer forever. September 11, 2001 was to be the last day of flight training with American Eagle. I was feeling on top of the world because I had finally achieved what so many people in this world only dream of, I was starting my career as an airline pilot.

I was flying in and out of both New York's La Guardia and Kennedy airports for the past week. Early the next day, I had one flight into La Guardia, which would finish my training, and then I was to catch a flight back to Dallas and home. I specifically remember that flight because it was the first time I did not have to focus on the flight duties and got to "sight see" as our approach took us down Manhattan Island to the Statue of Liberty and then turn back east towards the airport. I saw Central Park, the Empire State building, the Statute of Liberty, and the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. I was in awe.

After we landed I made quick work of the paper work to make the next available flight. I rushed to the gate and was relived to find that the seat on the plane next to me was empty. As the plane filed I noticed a larger man coming down the aisle and I know that he was going to make my nice comfortable flight less comfortable. Little did I know that Lance was going to be my best friend and a gift from God over the next few days.

As the flight attendants were preparing for our departure, a cell phone rang behind us. I listened as the lady said in disbelief "a fire". She hung up and began demanding to get off the plane. She informed the flight attendant that there was a fire at the Trade Center. Her office was there and that she must get off. Several other phones started to ring and we over heard bits and pieces, "Plane", "Fire", "Accident". Finally, a flight attendant made an announcement that several people had requested off and that they would be reopening the doors briefly, but that we would still be departing shortly. I thought that all these people were probably over reacting, it was either just a fire or at the most a small plane might had accidentally hit the building. It was not until the captain came on the speaker and said that we would be deplaning and told us that an aircraft had struck one of the Twin Towers, and that the airport was closing, did I realize that something big was happening. It was not so much what he said but it was the cracking in his voice as he held back tears.

We stepped of the plane and the large wall of glass to my immediate right was filled with the site that the whole world was watching on their tvs. The black smoke hung over the skyline that I just over flew 30 minutes earlier. I got on my phone, like everyone else, and called dad. He started to tell me what he was watching on the news and I replied "I know, I'm watching it out the window right now." Shortly there after the terminal was closed and everyone was pushed out into the parking lot.

 

 This photo was taken at a window at La Guardia where you could catch a glimpse of the towers and smoke

 

Through all of this, Lance (the passenger who was assigned next to me on the plane) and I more formally introduced ourselves. He was a doctor, who was there for a conference. We ended up standing in the parking lot of the airport for most of the day. Our cellphones only worked sporadically and I could not make any contact with American Eagle for help with transportation or lodging. We decided to make our way out of the parking lot, across a freeway and to an intersection with 30,000 other people all looking for accommodations. Lance went into the only hotel on the corner with very little hope.  He came out, not with a room, but a ride. A limo pulled up and off we went.

We spent the rest of the day driving all over Queens, going from hotel to hotel to motel to "rent by the hour" motel with no luck. We had decided to go back to a hotel that had a lobby so that we could at least sleep indoors, but the driver, who could speak almost no English, wanted to try one last place. It was another motel that only posted rates by the hour and of course they did not have a room either. We went back to the car, but Lance needing a pen, went back in and this time he did come out with a room.

We, two strangers, would be sharing a small, smelly bed with a heart shaped mirror on the ceiling and the bright red tub in the corner and we were grateful for it. Lance was in contact with his company, unlike me, who could only get a recording at American Eagle. They were able to arrange a nicer room for the next day and even a car to get us there.

So the next day found us on Manhattan Island just a few blocks south of Central Park. The city was completely quiet and the people we did see were friendly and polite, which Lance assured was not the norm. This was not really the way I wanted my first visit to be. It was an eerie feeling being in this huge city that was so quiet. I don't really remember that day or much of the next. I remember seeing Times Square and walking in Central Park, but the rest of it was a blur.

I want to say that I spent the time volunteering or giving blood but my main concern at the time was a selfish one, I WANTED TO BE HOME! The planes were all still grounded, the trains were not moving and we could not even rent a car.
 
On the third day, September 13th, Lance and another guy that we meet were going to take advantage of the cheapest theaters tickets ever, but I did not have the money or the desire but I would walk with them. We passed close to the Port Authority building (the bus terminal) and thought we would step in and check.  To my amazement, there was bus leaving for Dallas in 45 min. I was so happy. We said our goodbyes there. I thanked them for the friendship, the help and for the ever-so-important, not being alone. I rushed back to hotel to get my stuff together and rushed back.

I so vividly remember, as the bus made its first movement, how I realized I had never felt so like being in prison as I had over the past 3 days. And now as we began to move I felt that weight being lifted and I knew that now I would be home shortly. I could see my parents. I could hug them and tell them that I love them. I could go to church and be with my friends at a candle light vigil. Although the trip home would take two straight days of traveling or waiting in bus terminals, it was wonderful to be moving and once I made it home I was never so happy to be home.