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.
