Where were you on September 11th 2001?

scubasteve · Post by **scubasteve** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 2:35 pm

I was in the university community centre...students just stood in awe and silence...stunned. I couldnt go to school for days, my mind just wasnt in it. The images still make my heart sink. After that and the attack at the school in Russia, it amazes me that there are people in this world that arent heartbroken at the loss of innocent lives.

it'sme · Post by **it'sme** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 3:44 pm

I had just finished looking at our weather package for a trip to KTEB departing at 10:30 when someone said that there was a big fire in NY at the WTC. As you can see the WTC from the ramp at Teterboro, I went out to the TV to see what was going on. The 2nd airplane hit about 5 minutes later. Once it became evident that we weren't going anywhere, we all sat rivited as the events unfolded. We had been to KTEB on the 9th and were originally scheduled to keep the aircraft there until the 11th but plans changed. If we had stayed, the hotel that we often use for more than one night in NY is 17 blocks from the area of the WTC. When we did get the next trip back into KTEB the change in cityscape was a sobering one.

Cap'n P8 · Post by **Cap'n P8** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 4:34 pm

I was flying back to Inuvik from Bekere Lake Lodge. I had overnighted there on the 10th. When I closed my flight plan that night by sat phone, I filed a flight plan with an assumed departure time for my return the next day.

I actually remember thinking to myself that it was dead silent on the radio which I thought was pretty odd. FSS didn't say anything about the attacks. It wasn't until I stopped by my boss's place that I found out.

Ended up doing a few flights the next couple of days to pick people up from the bush.

Old Dutch · Post by **Old Dutch** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 4:42 pm

flying with a student...told to return and land about 2 minutes after takeoff, along with everyone else...no explanations...no questions. Could tell something big was up by the controllers tone. It was intense to say the least. ---knew something was wrong before takeoff...ground missing repeated calls, weird taxi instructions etc.
Obviously got the low-down after landing.......spent the rest of the day drinking in the bar.

Joey Jo Jo · Post by **Joey Jo Jo** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 5:41 pm

In the air doing range and endurance when the first plane hit. We completed the lesson as normal and returned to the airport without ever knowing something had happenned. As I was walking into the hangar, I overheard two people talking about a plane hitting the WTC and pentagon. I stood a few feet away and stared for a while not really beliving what they were saying.

I returned to my place so I could verify for myself this was all true. The bus driver had a radio on and I listened as the radio host described the scene. Still not fully believing.

When I finally saw for myself on TV, I called my family long distance to see how they were. My mom actually pulled my brother and sister from school that day just incase. Later that day I returned to the airport for groundschool. We talked about the days events for about 15 min. then we continued on with normal groundschool.

Certainly a very difficult topic, especially for people who work in aviation, but it seems to me that people don't talk about it except when the anniversary approaches. (I'm not knocking the thread, BTW, just an observation)

flyboy441 · Post by **flyboy441** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 6:49 pm

Barquisimeto, Venezuela. Weather was bad so no flying but watched it all happen on spanish cnn. Didn't effect air traffic down there no one was grounded.

PT6-114A · Post by **PT6-114A** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 8:16 pm

Wallypilot and I were trying to get from YZF to YFS and had to spend the next 4 days in YZF so we sat in the Wild cat cafe and watched it all.

Freetime · Post by **Freetime** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 8:47 pm

I was just dropped of at my job in Schenectady, NY and asked the dispatcher what was going on that day (It was a clear blue, beautiful day), and she told me there was not going to be any flying any time soon. I thought she was joking and played along, until I realized she was serious, so I asked her why, and she showed me where the TV was showing the news. A crazy day, and wierd to be so close!

Panama Jack · Post by **Panama Jack** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 3:49 am

Joey Jo Jo wrote:Certainly a very difficult topic, especially for people who work in aviation, but it seems to me that people don't talk about it except when the anniversary approaches. (I'm not knocking the thread, BTW, just an observation)

For myself, it is not a topic that I enjoy talking about on a regular basis. It was a difficult day for many, for myself it took some time to come to grips with what it all meant, but three years later life goes on. Unfortunately, September 11th has been twisted by less noble personalities for their own selfish political agenda (just look at the recent Republican Party convention in New York). This is nothing short of disgusting.

Since September 11th, 2001 there have been plenty of other atrocities, injustices and disasters (albeit thankfully not in aviation) to eclipse the events of September 11th.

I offer the following observation. After September 11th, 2001, I saw more US flag stickers on Canadian registered cars than ever before. On September 11th, 2002, I flew a US flag from my porch as an expression of sympathy and unity with our colleagues and neighbors in the United States. However, since that time, everything has changed. Most people are hesitant to fly a US flag in Canada or elsewhere in the world these days out of concern that it implies a carte-blanche endorsement to the tunnel-visioned, jingonistic policy that has emerged like never before out of Washington. Why do people find this attitude from the US Government so repugnant? Well, in many ways it was the same attitude that created the conditions for September 11th in the first place.

History is doomed to repeat itself.

Pratt · Post by **Pratt** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 4:05 am

Woke up in YVR just in time to see the second a/c hit the trade centre building, as with everyone else I was totally stunned and riveted to the screen for awhile. I went to the southside of the airport that day in the afternoon for a look, it was pretty amazing seeing all of the parked a/c there all over the field with nothing coming or going.

Thinking back to the time that I was up there on the 100th floor observation platform of the WTC looking over the New York city landscape, I guess it makes me feel as I had a connection to the place in a small way. I took a few pics then, I haven't yet found them in my boxes since the last move.

I flew home today YOW-YYZ-YVR, which was on the 11th, good to see that everyone was going about their business normally, didn't see anyone having problems with flying on the anniversary.

To repeat a phrase that the NYC police, firefighters and citizens have said,

"We will never forget"

RIP to all of those lost on that day.

LT · Post by LT » Sun Sep 12, 2004 4:22 am

Pratt wrote: RIP to all of those lost on that day.

Sorry, can't share your sentiment.. Wish all the terrorists were lost that day.

And I hope they're(terrorists) rotting in Hell..

DS719 · Post by **DS719** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 5:11 pm

One an AA flight to Tulsa, Ok. Ya I'll be the first to say it, I needed to change my pants.

Pratt · Post by **Pratt** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 6:11 pm

LT,

I would think you might have been able to figure out that I was refering to the innocent victims of the attacks, not the terrorists.

IMAC · Post by **IMAC** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 8:06 pm

Had just spent the morning checking out a guy in our schools citabria, he had a great flight, and I was about to let him go do some solo circuits. What I remember most was how nice the weather was that morning, and how pissed both of us were when we were told that no one was flying the next slot with out explaination. Then walking into the dispatch area and learning why there was to be no more flying that day. Quite in utter disbelief.

PITA · Post by **PITA** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 8:12 pm

Oh yeah I Remember

I was overseas at a UN Relief compound. Sat.TV, late afternoon, days work done, basically live on CNN.

Will never forget the Somolia's high fiveing each other.

Made me sick

PITA

LT · Post by LT » Sun Sep 12, 2004 10:12 pm

I was overseas at a UN Relief compound.
Will never forget the Somolia's high fiveing each other.

*Ponders which countries would have contributed funds to that relief mission*

What a waste of money.. The thanks some people get..

Pratt, I know that you didn't include the terrorists in your sympathies.

But some people do and would include them...

Yoyoma · Post by **Yoyoma** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:54 am

Was flying so I missed both strikes! Was asked to land...I remember being puzzled by all the 747s lined up...

BTW, I'd like to take the opportunity to apologize to the person who informed me of the situation. My comments about Will Smith & Independence Day were out of line...!

Big_Oaf · Post by **Big_Oaf** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 6:52 am

I was on my way to work when I heard. Twas a long hard day. Didn't have time to think about what was happening over there. Wastched it on the news that night. That's when the disbelief kicked in.

TopperHarley · Post by **TopperHarley** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 9:56 am

I will not forget that day because it was my very first lesson. I woke up really early to catch the beginning of the breaking news, but at the time, noone suspected terrorism. On the ride to the airport it was all over the radios. I did my pre-flight briefing with my new instructor, did a walkaround with him and then we got the news that everything was halted. Then I saw some AC planes get diverted to CYXU.

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 11:34 am

Right Seat Captain wrote:I was watching the events unfold on a television in the hallway of Sault College, when I was in the aviation program, first year. Needless to say, I quit the program at the end of the semester realizing where the industry is going, and did my training at a local flying school instead, and in the process of getting a University Degree as a back-up.

So you were in my class then....

ZLIN 142C · Post by **ZLIN 142C** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 12:13 pm

Riding for Silver Lake Pasture, near Meadow Lake, SK. Started at daybreak and had all the herds on the North side of the highway checked by Noon. It was a beautiful morning, brilliant blue skies, not too hot, and surprisingly few bugs. I remember thinking several times that all was right with the world. Finished up a few chores and turned out my horse around one o'clock, then figured I'd take the rest of the day off.

I headed up to Island Hill to visit a friend who I hadn't drank coffee with in awhile. Once I got in the door, the look on his face said a lot more than words could have. "You better sit down and take a look at this," was all he said in greeting. He and his wife and I sat in the living room watching the news channels for the rest of the evening. We didn't say much. Really, there wasn't much to say.

Funny how some days stay with you.

Louis · Post by **Louis** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 4:52 pm

ZLIN 142C wrote:Funny how some days stay with you.

Just ask people that are old enough where they were and what they were doing when they learned JFK was shot.

I know my father remembers quite well.

C-FART · Post by **C-FART** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 6:46 pm

I was giving a tour of the new AC cargo building at yyz. Someones cell phone rang and his wife said a plane just hit the WTC. We all thought terrible navigation error initially then a few minutes later the cell phone rang again and we learned a second plane hit the other tower. After a quick look at the TV inside I didn't wan't to know anymore. I just wanted the day to end. So I went outside and sad down at the front steps facing the control tower and watched all of these sad looking planes from all over the world land and then taxi to the quickly filling deicing area. What a sad day indeed!

Doctor MCDU · Post by **Doctor MCDU** » Sun Sep 19, 2004 1:46 pm

Was in New York City. Had landed at JFK about an hour earlier and we (crew) were on our way to Manhatten.

Flying Low · Post by **Flying Low** » Sun Sep 19, 2004 5:22 pm

I was driving to the Kapuskasing airport to do some geophysical survey flying and, when I got there, wondered why some idiot had parked a pickup truck blocking the only taxiway.