#911 #blog #avgeek #aviation
an Encore Tribute . . .
"From now on, every airline ticket purchased is a vote for Freedom, and every flight flown is a victory over terrorism. So thank you for your patronage, thank you for your patriotism, and God bless America!”
—Cap'n Aux, September 16, 2001
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| Freedom One RNAV Arrival into DCA... |
MEMORIAL SITES/TRIBUTES
—Flight 93 Nat'l Memorial
—Honorflight93
—ALPA
—USAToday
—United Heroes
Note: sadly, it's very hard to find proper sites that list the passengers & victims. There are now 100's of nutbag "conspiracy" sites that I won't honor by mentioning. The links below are the best I could find:
—Honorflight93
—ALPA
—USAToday
—United Heroes
FLIGHTS
Note: sadly, it's very hard to find proper sites that list the passengers & victims. There are now 100's of nutbag "conspiracy" sites that I won't honor by mentioning. The links below are the best I could find:
—AA FLIGHT 11 LINKS
—Story
—AA FLIGHT 77 LINKS
—Crew
—UA FLIGHT 93 LINKS
—UA FLIGHT 175 LINKS
—WTC
—Planes
—FDNY
—NYPD
—Health Issues
Miss TWA and the 9/11 museum
FIRST RESPONDERS
—FDNY
OTHER COOL STUFF
Miss TWA and the 9/11 museum
"LET'S ROLL"
The rallying cry of America's First Counterattack against fanatical terrorism
MY 9/11 STORY
As an airline pilot, I am often asked about my personal 9/11 story.While I had many airline friends “on the road” that day, I fortunately was off and at home.
Our first indication came when Tawni (my wife at the time ) and I were dropping our two kids off at grade school. They were attending a private Christian school run by their grandma, who came running out to inform us.
We went inside to watch CNN and try to make sense of the news. The 2nd plane had just hit, so we all knew it was a terror attack. We spent the day riveted to the screen, while the teachers tried valiantly (and in vain) to give the kids a routine day of classes.
I was scheduled to fly the next day, but Tawni put her foot down and demanded I stay home. The point turned out to be moot, as the FAA took the unprecedented step of grounding ALL U.S. air traffic for the next 3 days.
Airline crews were strewn and stranded across the country, having been diverted inflight to the nearest suitable airports—and then grounded. Flight crews did their best to make the best of it, miles away from worried loved ones. Three days later, they became some of the many unsung heroes of 9/11, being the very first to return to America’s Free Skies.
When I finally flew again, about a week later, passengers and crew alike were still understandably skittish. In the back of my head I had prepared a pre-departure speech, which I’ll try to recreate here:
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking. Welcome aboard Flight XX, with service to XYZ.“I understand that you may feel a tad nervous being onboard today given the week’s unprecedented events. Let me personally assure you that we as a flight crew and airline have done our very best to give you the safest and most secure flight possible.“Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to point out that, from now on, every airline ticket that you purchase is a vote for Freedom, and every flight flown is a victory over terrorism. So thank you for your patronage, thank you for your patriotism, and God bless America!”And yes, I got a rousing round of applause from the cabin for that one.
This year, I am flying three flights on 9/11. Am I worried? Not one bit. Here's a few pics from last year's 9/11 flights:
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| 9/11/12 "Freedom Flight" |
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| 9/11/12: I voted today! |
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My dispatcher agrees! |
and finally...
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!
The war against terrorism isn't over. Regardless of your politics, PLEASE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS! A few links:
—Troop Support.com (many links)
Of course there are a million more sites recounting 9/11, honoring the victims, etc. Unfortunately, there are also hundreds of whackjob conspiracy sites, scumbags celebrating it, etc. As far as I'm concerned, every one of them can go to hell!
Encouraging Signs!
A few brave souls in the Muslim world are standing AGAINST violence and terrorism! I hope this becomes a HUGE grassroots movement. I see this as the ONLY WAY out of this worldwide mess . . . but it takes GREAT courage, for they could be "martyred" by fanatics for their nonviolent beliefs!
A few brave souls in the Muslim world are standing AGAINST violence and terrorism! I hope this becomes a HUGE grassroots movement. I see this as the ONLY WAY out of this worldwide mess . . . but it takes GREAT courage, for they could be "martyred" by fanatics for their nonviolent beliefs!
—Link to article
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A recent photo shared on Facebook. They really need this kind of example in Egypt right now!
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Related Cap'n Aux Posts
- Flying a Fallen Hero: http://capnaux.blogspot.com/2012/07/interlude-flying-fallen-hero.html
- Answers to the Sandy Hook Tragedy Found in the Christmas Season: http://capnaux.blogspot.com/2012/12/answers-to-sandy-hook-tragedy-found-in.html
- Terror in the Skies: http://capnaux.blogspot.com/2012/03/terror-in-skies-oops-my-bad-just-some.html
- Go Ahead, Make Cap'ns Day: http://capnaux.blogspot.com/2012/09/go-ahead-make-capns-day.html
POST-FLIGHT CHECKLIST
- JOIN THIS SITE.....................VERIFY.............................JOINED
- COMMENT............................VERIFY.............................MADE
- FACEBOOK...........................VERIFY.............................LIKED
- TWITTER...............................VERIFY.............................TWEETED
- EMAIL....................................VERIFY.............................MAILED
- OTHER NETWORKS...........VERIFY.............................SHARED
POST-FLIGHT CHECKLIST.......................COMPLETE!
LINED UP & WAITING
Departing Wednesday, September 18 @ 11:00 PHX
Jumpseats with Cap'n Aux!
Part II: Cap'n Aux visits Air Traffic Control!
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The Cap'n & the Controller—a 2-part series!
Part I: Blog Buddy & Air Traffic Controller Brian
Jumpseats with Cap'n Aux!
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HOLDING SHORT
Departing September 25
Departing September 25
Part II: Cap'n Aux visits Air Traffic Control!
DID YOU LIKE THIS POST? Me too!
If so, I invite you to COMMENT, SHARE, TWEET, LIKE, EMAIL & +1 etc., below!
It looks like this:
See? Right down below this line!
Eric,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tribute to those that were lost that fateful day over a decade ago.
It changed us all - it changed everything - and I'll never forget that day as long as I live.
I wasn't flying either, but I was Captain on the first flight our company launched, once the airspace was reopened to 135 operators, and it was a sobering experience.
I hope we never have to endure such tragedies again.
Brent
Thank you, Brent at iflyblog.com!
DeleteI tried to go "minimalist" with my 9/11 tribute post--that is, less of "me and my story," and more about the people we lost, and links to those sites that honor them.
I would like to hear your story some time about that first day back. It was quite a memory for all of us, I am sure!
May we win the war on terrorism quickly and decisively.
Thanks for your comment, Brent!
This is an outstanding tribute to those lost, those left behind, those who risked their lives during the recovery efforts and to those who have fought bravely to protect and serve our country.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't flying on September 11th, but I flew on the first day our company operated flights after the attacks. I remember expecting enormous crowds at the airport. I thought there would be long lines to get through security and anticipated packed flights as we attempted to get the system up and moving again. What I found was a deserted terminal and flights with only a hand full of passengers. Of course that changed over time, but it was a very slow recovery.
All these years later, I find it difficult not to get emotional on the anniversary of that tragic event. My youngest daughter was less than a year old on 9/11...she's full of questions now and enjoyed your post too.
It's always a pleasure to spend some time immersed in your blog.
Brad