It’s 1:00 P.M., Central Time; Monday, September 17, 2001. Just six short days since the tragic events that occurred in New York and Washington, D.C.
I think about the heroes that stepped up last Tuesday, September 11, 2001 — the rescuers, firemen, policemen, pilots, flight attendants, public servants, public officials, and what they are calling the “victims.” Yet, each victim was a hero in their own way. Each gave up their most precious commodity, their life. They made the most incredible sacrifice one could make. And even though we are still in the midst of our own processes and turmoil, America will bounce back and bounce back in a way that has never before been witnessed on the face of this earth.
Yet, at this exact moment, I am flying at 35,000 feet on my way to a far away destination in Texas. I was taken somewhat aback by what I saw at the airport today. No lines, no cars, not even anyone screaming at the counter attendants about some mistake on their flight ticket. Security — very tight. My driver’s license was checked, checked again, and rechecked. The security people even took time to REALLY LOOK at my photo, name, and my ticket. And search they did — up, down and all around. Did I feel secure? Absolutely! Yet, all the hustle bustle that I have grown and become accustomed to at airports was gone. I was feeling lost — where is everybody?
I longed for all the excitement and people watching that I got from being at an airport. Yet today, that is all gone. Today, we have new and different lives than just a week ago. Because of the lack of flyers today, I was able to board an earlier flight. Again, at the gate, another recheck of credentials and right to the aircraft, no waiting. Yet, the disturbing part of this was that there was almost no one on this flight. That’s correct, the plane is… less than one-third full.
After boarding the aircraft, I walked to the aft section of the aircraft where I found five flight attendants engaged in a conversation. I took time to tell them how thankful I am for what they do in their careers as flight attendants. I thanked them for their service in the past, the service they will provide today, and the service they will provide some customer tomorrow. Yet, they, like us, are scared. Scared that their jobs and families will be effected by the traveling public not being receptive to getting back on an aircraft.
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