September 10, 2001
1400 : Call Delta Air Lines to check on my
flights for the next day. At 9am, I am scheduled to fly from NYC to SFO
through MCO to keep the fares down. I am informed that my MCO-ATL flight
has been downgraded from a 777 to a 738 and is now horribly oversold.
They offer to protect me on the United nonstop instead. I decline their
offer, choosing instead to stay with Delta. The flight offered was UA
93.
September 11, 2001
0615 : Wake up call in the Hotel Pennsylvania.
0715 : Aboard NJ Transit train from Pennsylvania Station New York to
Newark Penn Station.
0740 : Grab a quick breakfast at McDonalds in the station and board the
#302 Airlink bus.
0800 : Pull in to Terminal A at Newark just as a United Airlines Boeing
757, N591UA, is taxiing out to the runway for its flight to San
Francisco.
0815 : Take the monorail across to Terminal B and check in for Delta
Express 2475 to Orlando.
0840 : Boarding commences on Delta 2475. I relax in my seat and look out
over the New York skyline. Little did I realize that this tranquil scene
would never be the same again.
0852 : Doors close and we push back off the gate. As the safety demo is
being performed, I look out and see some smoke above the World Trade
Center. No big deal, we'll soon be out of here.
0901 : Flight attendants, prepare the cabin for takeoff. Push back from
the gate.
0903 : Looking out of the window towards the World Trade Center. The
smoke seems thicker.
0904 : HOLY SHIT! The side of the World Trade Center has just exploded
in a ball of fire.
0905 : Captain comes over the PA system. Im sure you folks just saw what
I saw. I'd say we aren't going anywhere for a while.
0925 : Back at the gate. Walk up and talk to the captain through the
cockpit door. One flight attendant is sobbing in the corner of the
galley.
0930 : Call SMS and try to rebook through Philly. All New York area
airports are shut down, but others are still running.
0937 : SMS succesfully rebooks me out of Philly.
0940 : Nationwide ground stop announced.
0945 : Start calling around to check if everyone is ok.
0955 : US Marshals and PANYNJ Police with M16s and shotguns begin
evacuating the terminals.
1000 : Board NJ Transit bus #302 to Newark Penn Station. The driver is
gouging passengers who don't have exact change.
1002 : Bus is on the road. There are two towers still standing amid the
smoke.
1010 : Bus is on a bridge. There is one tower that we can still see
standing amid the smoke. Must be the angle.
1030 : Bus is on another bridge. Hey guys, can anyone see the towers? Oh
my GOD!
1100 : Arrive at Newark Penn Station. Pandemonium and chaos.
1110 : Get myself on the waiting list for a room at the Hilton Gateway
Newark. Maybe Gold VIP loyalty will count for something.
1130 : Get online from the business center. Send mass emails and log on
to AOL Instant Messenger.
1145 : Get an Instant Message from Liz. She says she brought the UA 757
in from SFO-EWR last night. What UA 757 from EWR? I thought it was a 767
from BOS? Flight 93 that went down near PIT. HOLY SHIT! That could have
been me!
1215 : Go over to the station and ask if they need any volunteers. Not
yet, but maybe later.
1315 : Lunch at Taco Bell.
1430 : Back online for a bit. Plenty of emails to answer. Friend in WTC
was safe. Friend in midtown is safe. Dad in midtown no word yet, but its
midtown so I'll assume he's safe.
1530 : Phonecalls, emails and waiting for the waitlist to clear. Lobby
is a warzone. Everyone is refugee here. They are bringing across lightly
wounded folks from downtown and setting up triage in the train station.
1610 : You can check in now. Hilton has delivered in style. Concierge
Level room. God bless Hilton.
1630 : Go out to Newark Penn Station and find the NJT Lieutenant I had
spoken to last time. Yes, they want volunteers for the triage station.
Well, I'm a trained first responder. You're hired.
1730 : We got a 911 call anonymous. Possible bomb in the station.
EVERYONE OUT! NOW! NOW! NOW!
1800 : False alarm, everyone back.
1810 : Thanks for your help, but its under control now. We've got your
room number in case we need more vols later.
1830 : Back in the room. Phonecalls.
1900 : Downstairs. Drinks at the bar. Business center internet. Hilton
has arranged buses to shuttle people without rooms to remote Hilton
locations. God bless Hilton.
2015 : Order dinner at bar.
2030 : Sip on Sam Adams as George W. Bush addresses the nation.
2130 : Back to the room. Hilton has delivered turndown service. I almost
cry. Thank you Hilton.
2200 : Back downstairs in the business center. I have to be around
people. What a day. What a day.
