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S. Smith Moderator
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For our Sept. 8 issue, we're going to be including both a full article on the events of September 11, 2001 and how they changed us. Please feel free to post your comments here on the forum, but if you'd be willing to contribute anything for possible inclusion in the article or survey, please send your comments to me via e-mail to sandra@nwobserver.com. Please be sure to include your name and the town in which you live. Specifically, do you think 9/11 changed America, and if so, how? Do you think we're smarter and more alert, wary of all strangers, or callous to such horrific events? Do you think the changes in air travel are worth the additional hassle? What affect do you think 9/11 had on today's kids? Do you remember where you were when you heard the news, how you felt at the time, and have those feelings lingered? If you're a teacher, minister, firefighter, law enforcement officer, frequent traveler, student, etc., do you think 9/11 changed the people and procedures you come in contact with? If so, how? Have you read any books or seen any of the movies made on the subject? What was your reaction? Do you plan to do anything special to commemorate the day, or do you know of anything going on which we might publicize? Obviously there are a lot of questions here, and you're not expected to answer all of them, but we would be interested to hear from you. |
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Cracker Jax Member 
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It would surprise me if someone said that they didn't remember exactly where they were when they heard about the events that transpired on 9-11, just as it would surprise me if someone said they don't remember where they were when they heard Kennedy was shot, Elvis died, or the Challenger exploded. It amazes me how certain events stick with us like that in such detail. 9-11-01 was my spoose's 40th birthday. We spent it glued to the television. It's a birthday we'll never forget. I don't travel much so I'll leave the comments on that to the travelers. I did visit NYC before 9-11 and then again one year after the date and I can tell you that the atmosphere there and the attitude of the New Yorkers had changed DRASTICALLY. People were helpful and considerate and seemed to really appreciate others.... much more so than my earlier visit anyway. Folks were actually chit chatting on the Subways, helping us with directions etc. I visited the WTC site before and after the event and would strongly encourage anyone who hasn't been to ground zero to visit the site BEFORE it is rebuilt. Of course there is an incredible sadness that overcomes you when you are there and you can visualize the enormity of what happened, but the feeling of unity and the fact that as a nation we can overcome anything supercedes even that. It was an awesome experience and one I wouldn't trade for anything. OH! And I think the staircase to freedom should stand where it is..... |
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Steve Adkins Member 
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I'll share a copy of an email I sent to Sandra today on this same subject. The only thing common with air travel today, vs pre-9/11 is planes still fly in the air. Airtravel has become at best a frustrating experience. There has been a dominoe effect to the airlines since 9/11 where airtravel declined, airlines started bleeding red ink, and have never fully recovered, therefore cutting corners from every angle they can think of. The most noticeable result of cutting corners has been airplanes rarely running to schedule. Gate agents urgently load planes for “on time departure”, then while sitting on the plane, the pilot will nonchalantly announce “we’re just waiting on last minute paperwork, few last bags to be boarded, waiting on a tug to push us back……..waiting, waiting…….because of job cuts. When the plane lands, and it taxi’s up to the gate, then the nonchalant pilot announces “we’re just waiting on ramp workers to guide us in, just waiting on a gate agent to bring up the jet way. It seems nobody in the airline industry is ahead of the timetable to get planes out on time. As of the last 30 days, much more luggage must be checked than historically, so the delays waiting for carousel luggage just got longer too. All unpredictable, all uncontrollable, all maddening. The big comfortable planes have been retired out, or are only used for long runs. Most airlines use the small “regional jet”, which are glorified sardine cans. The planes are nearly always jammed full. Accumulating frequent flier miles is easy, using them is difficult when planes are so full. There’s not enough room to use a laptop, read a newspaper, or do much of anything but read a book. I recently flew with a private pilot, who had taken early retirement from a major US airline “I would get in the cockpit with a co-pilot who was angry about pay cuts, have 2 flight attendants in back who were angry about pay cuts, have 100 passengers who were angry about the flight being late, all of it’s out of my control, yet I’m supposed to be the smiling Captain”. If I am traveling to an important meeting at 11:00 am Tuesday, I used to fly up Tuesday morning. Not anymore, now I’ll fly up Monday night, because I can’t trust the airlines to 1) not cancel the flight, and 2) get there on time. I personally do not feel any more or less safe about air travel as a result of post 9/11 regulations. · TSA is an underfunded agency that doesn’t mind spending millions on equipment, but won’t spend money to staff the equipment. Hence you have 3 X ray lanes, only 1 or 2 open. 20+ immigration booths, 6 staffed. All result in inconvenience to the air traveler (delays). · TSA staffers must enforce “reactive” regulations based on what people have tried in the past to endanger air travel. Human privacy is invaded, common sense is left behind. I have witnessed 5 year old children searched, elderly handicapped persons in wheelchairs searched. · FAA has fallen out of touch as an agency. Regulations have not kept up to date. You get on a plane, the flight attendant says “please listen to this important safety announcement………to fasten your seatbelt, insert the metal tab into the buckle…………….eyes glaze, audience lost. Flight attendant “safety babble” has turned into noise pollution. FAA is a reactive agency, not pro-active. · Airplane maintenance is questionable. This is one that’s not readily in the public eye. It’s easy to let the car go more than 3,000 miles between oil changes when times are tight. Times are tight for the airlines. Planes seem to have a lot of delays due to “mechanical problems” these days. Has it changed me? Yes, I am much more likely to drive a trip of 4 – 6 hours than to fly it. Has it changed America? Yes, I think all Americans now have a keen awareness of terrorism, that not all people value life as we do in America. I do not have anything special planned to commemorate the day, although I do plan to make a trip to New York in the near future to visit Ground Zero, and other areas. |
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S. Smith Moderator
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I think you're right about people remembering where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news. I was working from my home office and talking on the phone with my dad when he suddenly said a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. At the time, we had no inkling that it was a terrorist act. We thought it was some bizarre accident and a pilot had somehow gotten way off track or didn't realize how low he was flying or something. I quickly turned on the TV in mt office and we continued to talk for a while as the TV news crews kept updating us on what was going on. Of course, after my dad and I finished our conversation and hung up the phone, I continued to keep an eye on the TV while I worked. As we all now know, things got much worse as the events of the day unfolded. As many of you know, my dad passed away without warning this past April. Sept. 11 is now not only connected to the loss of those people who were involved and the loss of the whole nation; when I remember what I was doing at the time I heard the news, I now have a loss of my own which is strangely tied to that day. |
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DToney Member 
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I agree that is one day no true American will soon forget... I was working on a power plant construction project. That day was monthly meetings with the banker's rep, the architects, engineers were all on site. There was no tv or radio, but everyone's cell phones started going off around 9am... they exited the office to get reception. It had not yet began to unfold what had happened... all we had was the internet! I got on cnn.com, msnbc.com, fox news and began printing the story as it unfolded. When the staff got the next break about an hour later, it was aparent what had happened...  People all round the US & world were there that day... Europe, Australia, Japan... many were stranded. Some lied to the rental car companies to be able to get a way home... others shared their rides. Folks were in fear of their safety & that of their families...  Hubby & I were able to bring our daughter to ground Zero in 2003. What an experience! The mood was somber, the entire area was quiet, almost eerie in comparison with Time Square. It is an experience we will not soon forget. Many people were touched that day. It changed the mood of America from one of trust to distrust. We are definitely living in a different era. I recently took a job at a large company downtown G'boro... everyone there flies an American Flag in their cubes... another reminder of the day that changed America as we knew it. |
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Hairbrush Member
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I know I was changed by 9/11. I think as an American I have always felt very free and suddenly with 9/11 I didn't have that same feeling. I have lived and worked overseas and I can remember the first time I landed in Germany and the Guard, with a gun, came over and politely told me I better not let go of my luggage again. I found it hard to comprehend that people were that worried about luggage. I now have a better understanding. I use to think I could travel anywhere in the world and not have a worry. Now I am a little more careful. I don't think necessarily a state department warning would stop me from traveling but at least I have read the warnings before I leave. I am one of those weird people that likes to fly so I don't think I will ever stop. Back before 9/11, I was flying on AirTran to see my brother in Memphis. There were horrible storms in Atlanta that delayed the planes in Raleigh. I was to leave at 9:00 am but didn't board until 3:00pm. I then had to change planes in Atlanta but those flights were delayed. I finally boarded at 12:00 am on the last plane leaving. They didn't check our tickets; told to us sit anywhere we wanted. My brother called the airlines and they had no idea if I even got on a plane. I did arrive safely but I don't think that would happen now days. I don't know what the answer is to our safety, but I don't think we are doing a very good job. It worries me that a government that couldn't get people to safety during a hurricane is in charge of making sure this country is safe. |
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Lacka Member 
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I too thought when I first heard that it was a random pilot that was off track. As the day went on we learned more. In the part of the building that I worked in we did not have a TV, the boss went and borrowed a small one so that we could keep up with the events. I didn’t believe it was related to terrorism and stayed at work as if it was a normal day. When I realized what was going on, I could not get home fast enough. I arrived at my sister’s house where my kids were and we watched the news together. I remember her telling the kids what was going on as we watched the news. I remember thinking that I was glad she was doing the talking, because I didn’t know what to say. I took my kids home, I remember feeling lost and not wanting to watch TV any longer. I tried to distract the kids, but they knew what was going on. I heard the attic steps open and heard little feet climbing up. I finished doing what I was doing and went to see what the two of them were up to. They had gone in the attic, found our 4th of July box and had gathered all of the little handheld flags. They placed the flags in a row along the sidewalk leading to our house. People would honk their horns when they rode by as if they were supporting the kids. I remember standing on the porch thinking how proud I was of my children. (for sneaking into the attic to get the flags) I just stood there watching. I sat on the porch for a while as the kids ran through the yard, with another flag waving behind them. The sky was quiet. Not a plane in sight. The world seemed quiet. I felt so little and powerless. It was a horrible feeling to realize that I have put Mr. Yuk stickers on the chemicals in the house, taught the kids about strangers, not playing in the street, and how to stop, drop, and roll, but that I really cannot keep them safe. I realized this on September 11th. On September 12th they draped the flag over the side of the Pentagon. It made me feel as if the entire country felt the same as I did, and that we were all in this together, not as individuals. I have been to Washington twice since then, both times, I hoped to see the 911 exhibit at the Smithsonian. Both times the exhibit has been traveling. Probably to Charlotte or Raleigh. But they did have the Pentagon Flag that hung over the west wall for nearly a month, hanging proudly where Old Glory hung for many years. I was watching people as they would approach the flag, they would get very quiet. Many people snapped pictures of the flag and their group in front of the flag, I saw kids salute, and I saw people in tears. Adults would hush their children as they stood and admired what we consider to be our symbol of unity and freedom. |
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DToney Member
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why would anyone want to take that away from us? |
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Waytago Member 
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I was on a business trip on 9/11, lived in another state, coincidentally had just landed in Greensboro, and rented a car. Had to drive back to my home state, that was when the stories started coming out about the hate crimes against Muslims that were starting to occur. I remember having the feeling of wanting to protect my Muslim friends who were also angered by the attack, yet were feeling nervous about some American sentiment. I agree with SMS above, air travel is a total pain, the airline industry is full of many angry people, customer service has fallen to the wayside. TSA and FAA are typical government bureaucratic agencies. Last edited on Sep 2nd, 2006 12:27 am by Waytago |
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DToney Member
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Waytago... I worked with a guy that was from Iran on the const site... he was one of the nicest most polite man I ever met! Worked hard his entire life & provided well for his kids... post 9-11 everytime he would come to the jobsite, he would get shaken down... but he was so humble about it! I always had a lot of respect for him. I know what you mean about protecting your friends.....  I now see several arabic guys downtown every morning... about the same time... what worries me about them... they never make eye contact! |
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Lacka Member
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DT, I have a friend that is from Lebanon. He told me once that they do not have love in his country like we have here. He said that this is why he has brought his family here. If you work downtown you pass his store everyday going to work. He is right there after you go across the tracks in the curve. If you do not know him, you should stop and meet him. His name is Zac. You will be glad you did. The store is tiny, but you will feel welcome after your second or third visit. Pay with a debit card and he will know your name the next time you come in. He is all about family and loves his customers and realizes that they are what allows him to stay here. |
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DToney Member
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there was a special on tv last night about the twin towers & another afterwards about the pentagon... the first finished around 11 so I kinda did not see all of the 2nd... but it was GOOD! They interviewed some of the survivors and allowed them to tell their story while they reinacted it.... some amazing footage! seems strange that it is 5 years since that all happened! |
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Baseball Buddy Member 
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Working in the transportation industry has changed greatly also. My company ships and deliveres world wide. When dealing with airport employees I have found Delta to be the most hateful and least likely to help in a crunch situation. US Air have always been polite and try to be helpful. Now customs clearing houses area differant story. When having to pick something up there they cannot tell you how long it will take regaurdless of any deadline. But when it has cleared, They want you to get it out now, Hurry,Hurry! I have had to pick up a part for a plant that was shut down and needed this part. The filght was running late. Delta Cargo would not stay open 15 min. longer to let me get this part from the plane. Stated "It's not our problem." But their flight was late and now I would have to wait until the next morn. to get the package to the plant. What ever happened to showing some compasion and helping someone in a crisis? Food for thought. |
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brewgeek Member 
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I am an employee of a neighboring City and was in the 911 dispatch watching the towers fall. My Mom worked in NYC but had recently transferred out. In the horror of the event I completely forgot she wasn't in the City anymore. I remember the calm professionalism of the 911 operators even though they were all wondering 'What was next'..... and all I could think about was my Mom. I was hoping she was safe, and praying for all those other poor souls victimized by such a senseless act. After I realized my mistake, remembering my Mom was elsewhere, the Pentagon was hit. It was then that my sense of community fear set in, and I worried about our entire country. Three planes and a fourth down in Pennsylvania. I think the Post 9/11 was even scarier. How do you explain to kids too young to remember, the absolute calm quiet of a sky without planes. Three days without a single jet, prop or helicopter, forboding and fear come to mind. Last edited on Sep 6th, 2006 01:25 am by brewgeek |
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DToney Member
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one thing about 9/11 everyone should remember.... how easy it was for the terrorists to hit us... and how we should be on guard for any future events. We should teach our children to stand strong together & fight this enemy of our culture & Never Forget! |
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