| On Sept. 10, 2001, we flew
to TPA for a short overnight. Richard W. Scobee flew the
first leg of this trip, his initial operating experience
after new-hire school. On this flight, we learned of each
other’s aviation backgrounds and enjoyed discussing our
futures at United Airlines. The next morning the world
changed. Our story of the next four days is very similar to
that of most crews stuck away from home during this terrible
time, with everyone thinking only of getting to their
families.
However, I was with Rick and
another first officer, whose name I cannot recall, both of
whom were also very anxious to get back to their other jobs,
flying F-16s, the other F/O for the Guard in Omaha and
Richard for the Air Force. Glued to the television, like the
rest of the country, we watched as his Guard friends
escorted Air Force One to Offutt field.
It started to become
apparent that things were not ever going to be the same.
Needing to act, we rented a car and set off for home, Rick
to Arkansas, then on to Omaha, and me to Denver. On our
travel home, I learned more amazing history of the two
soon-to-be-furloughed UAL pilots and their families. Rick’s
mother opened up her house to his days-before-unknown
companions. We shared stories of all things aviation, and I
regret not staying longer. Meeting his family on this
week changed my entire outlook of our future. These were the
people who were stepping up, right now, for all of us. I had
never been more proud to be an American! And step up they
did.
Thank you!
Captain Jeff Alexander, United |
