Thank you everyone for your support of this blog. As I post this today, there is unexpected news that has just come out about changes in leadership at United Airlines. I will not use this post to discuss what has transpired, but when I travel on Friday, I think I will see some new smiles and optimism that has gone missing at United in the last couple of years. I also wanted to let everyone know I do have a new supply of the "More than a Co-Worker" wrist bands.
They are free to anyone who wants them, first come first serve, while supplies last. Just send me an e-mail through this blog, or private message through my Facebook page, with your mailing address and how many the wrist bands you would like. If I sent some to you previously, and your address is the same, then just send me note that you would like some more. All addresses are kept confidential and are only used for the purposes of distributing the wrist bands.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2015
Sometimes, it is hard to believe it has been fourteen years since that awful day in 2001. So much loss and grief, not only on that day, but in the years since with wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, world economies enduring a prolonged recession, and now today, refugees flood into the European Union to escape war and hardship in countries where ISIS terrorists grow stronger and take over for defeated Al Qaeda terrorists.
Here in the U.S., September 11, 2001 is commemorated in many different ways. There will be ceremonies in New York, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania and all across the country. News media will no doubt have reports on whether or not our skies are safer, and why the FAA and TSA have not made the advances we expected so that we do not have to endure the delays to be screened at the airports. As the 2016 election cycle picks up, this week is a good time for candidates and pundits to trade barbs and warn us all that the current administration has let down its guard and we need to get back on track because it inevitable that there will be another September 11 event.
September 11 is an especially difficult reminder for those who were directly affected. I am talking about family members and friends who lost loved ones on the planes, in the towers or at the Pentagon. There are also the first responders on the ground who will never forget the horror they witnessed. It is a hard day for airline employees, especially those at American and United Airlines. Not only did they lose colleagues and friends on that day, every airline employee found themselves awakened to a new reality and unprecedented stress and uncertainty. Every passenger is now a suspect and things that were regarded as harmless implements or pieces of clothing can now be used as a weapon. For many airline employees it caused them to think long and hard as to whether or not this was now the job they had signed up for.
September 11 put a new focus on the importance of the Flight Attendants. The first casualties and first responders on September 11 were the flight attendants on those four planes. This event woke us all up as to how important Flight Attendants are, and how we take that for granted. I often think back to those flight attendants and pilots who showed up for work those first days after September 11, 2001, as U.S. airlines began getting their planes back in the sky, and our country started moving again. Not only were they still grieving the loss of their friends, but they had no idea if things were any safer, nor was there enough time to properly train or counsel them on what to do if the unthinkable should happen again.
As the first anniversary, September 11, 2002 approached, the focus by the news media was whether or not Bin Laden had another attack planned, and if planes and people would be flying or would they stay home. There was no doubt for me - I was going to make sure I was on a plane that day. I wanted to use the day to thank the flight attendants and other airline employees at United Airlines for continuing to make it possible for me to buy a ticket and go where and when I wanted - SAFELY. That day, on my flight back to LAX, the Captain came on to thank us for being there today. He went on to explain how the outlook for United remained positive and that they were not going anywhere. New planes were being delivered and customers were coming back. It was the customers that gave him and the other crew members a new resolve that United will survive. It is that resolve by the employees that has kept me coming back to United to this day.
So this Friday, September 11, 2015, as I have done for the last 13 years, I will be flying United to New York and back. It is a day that I can show that no matter what is thrown at us, I still have the right and freedom to get on a plane and be assured that I will reach my destination safely. It is also my chance to personally thank a few employees at United Airlines for everything that they do for us customers. My one day trip has me leaving LAX at 6:00 AM (ughh!), and heading up to SFO to connect to the 8:45 AM P.S. flight to JFK. From JFK I will take the nonstop back to LAX leaving at 7:55 PM and landing at 11:00 PM. It is a long day, and I have friends who question why I do it. The answer is simple, because it is United Airlines.
