| I was an F/O on the B-757
flying the first leg of a four-day trip from CVG to BDL. We
landed at 8:57 a.m. I believe that was one minute after the
first tower was hit. We were already halfway boarded for the
next leg when boarding was stopped with no explanation. The
only response from our dispatcher was “stop boarding and
stand by,” again with no reason given. A passenger was
getting reports on a radio of a small aircraft hitting one
of the towers. I went to the gate counter to attempt access
to this thing called “the Internet.” I was able to get to
the Fox News home page, then it locked up, I assume from the
large number of access requests. Soon word came that the
second tower had been hit and the airspace was being shut
down. We naively assumed that it would be for a couple of
hours. We were wrong. Since information was limited, I
called my wife to see if she could get more information for
me from the TV or radio. She happened to be out with a
couple of friends celebrating one of their birthdays, and
hadn’t even heard what was going on. This was a blessing
since so many others had no idea if their crewmember family
members were involved or safe during this time. As events
progressed and the towers fell, we received permission to
leave for a hotel. The next four days were a blur, but
consisted of much TV time and eating along with conference
call updates from the Company. As depression set in, many of
us started getting out for exercise and a change of scenery
until the airspace was opened and we were allowed to fly
again. Our flight from Bradley took us down along the west
side of Manhattan where the smoke was still rising from
Ground Zero. The captain made a very appropriate and
emotional PA with that sight available off the left side of
the aircraft. This was one of my more memorable flights. I
arrived home Friday within two hours of my original
schedule.
Keep in mind, all of this
took place before smartphones, Wi-Fi, and commonplace
laptops. Today, this would go down differently with the
rapid dissemination of information.
Captain Steve Brodersen, Delta |
