World Trade Center Attack

Having grown up in New Jersey just 22 NM West of the Twin Towers and NYC, this event literally hits very close to home for me. I was in fact visiting family and friends in the NY/NJ area during the attack, and from the top of the hill just near my Dad's house I could see the smoke and ash plume from Manhattan.

Daily accounts in chronological order:

Today is Wednesday, September 12 and I am travelling from NJ to Queens, NY. Depending on when NY airports open, I am due to return to Denver from La Guardia aiport in Queens, NY on Friday morning 9/14.

Below are links to animated flight path tracks I found on the AOPA web site.
UAL 175 and American 11
UAL 93

Wednesday 9/12 6:40 PM EDT
I'm in Queens now, just three miles or so from the twin towers. Kind of scuzzy here - the wind shifted and the cloud of smoke and dust blew this way for a few hours - smells a lot like smoke from an electrical fire. Whatever is in it, you can taste it on your lips, plus irritates eyes and throat after a while. All that from essentially non-visible smoke/dust. It is so faint, looks like just haze. I can't imagine what it must be like right in the main disaster area.

Can see the smoke plume from where I'm staying in Queens. Still burning at 640 PM EDT 9/12.

Went into Manhattan for a few hours. Very strange because there are very few people and almost no cars on the roads. At what should have been rush hour, Grand Central Station and the subways had about as much traffic on them as they would at 2 AM - very little. Seats for everyone on the subway.

Every Starbucks is closed in Manhattan as far as we could tell.

New Yorkers are the friendliest I've ever seen. Several people just started spontanteous conversations with me and my friend Ellen on the subway and on the streets. Almost unheard of in my past experience. The general atmosphere is one of hope. And certainly everything seems to be happening in an orderly fashion - no signs of random violence or looting.

Very strange to hear no air traffic at all. As the hours go by, my probability of returning on Friday seems to be diminishing.

Thursday, September 13
Woke up depressed today - magnituded and reality of the situation finally sinking in. Was awakened in the middle of the night by the strong acrid smoke and dust cloud drifting into the apartment windows. Fortunately by morning the wind shifted and smoke and dust not a problem for the rest of the day.

Was planning to go into the city around mid-day, but Grand Central Station was evacuated due to a suspicious package/bomb threat. All trains stopped. Took a nap instead - probably the better plan.

Went to a play in the evening ("Contact"). Very good! First normal activity for me since Tuesday AM. A welcome change of pace, and a taste of the city as I used to know it. This normally sold-out show at the Lincoln Center was only about one-quarter full though. All present sang "God Bless America" at the show's conclusion.

Returned to apartment to find out that my flight for tomorrow has indeed been cancelled. Feeling huge disappointment - until that moment there was still some hope that my flight might be one of the three flights United would fly out of LGA. Not to be. So now I'm really stuck like everyone else - complete uncertainty as to when I'll get to return to Colorado.

Unable to reach United by phone - lines are jammed. Will try going to United office in Manhattan in the morning after returning my rental car, already two days overdue. Can hear thunder and see lightning as I go to sleep - the first rain. Maybe it will help clear the air.

Friday, September 14
Rained all morning and into the early afternoon (2 inches of rain!). Went to United Airlines office in Manhattan. Surprisingly, only a 10-15 minute wait to talk to a rep. Was able to get booked on a flight Sunday 9/16 at 8:15 from LGA to DEN, flight number 1523. Feeling relieved. Hoping things stabilize enough in the air transportation system by then to get me home.

Went down to Union Square. Many people gathering around spontaneous memorials even in the rain. Sobering.

By afternoon the rain stopped and the sun came out. The air is very clear. Walked with Ellen from Union Square/14th St. down to Canal St. As close as you are allowed to get to the WTC. One welcome change: only walking South from 14th could I see smoke from the rubble. Nearly every conversation overheard on the street still relates to the attack.

City has more people in it today, and more cars. Not as full as usual, but the first signs of moving in that direction.

My thoughts turn to what actions the United States might take against others. And what the consequences of those actions might be. I hope and pray that there is balance and restraint in both the thoughts and actions of our leaders, and our people.

Compassion and forgiveness are two of the highest values that can be expressed by human beings. Let us walk that high ground as much as possible. I know there will be military action. In order to protect the interest of America and Americans everywhere, I know this is necessary. But let it stop there. Revenge is one of the lowest values expressed by humankind. Let that not be our motive, now or ever.

Monday, September 17
I am back in Fort Collins, Colorado. Got in Sunday morning at about 11 AM.

Security at La Guardia airport in NYC was about as expected, but some additional on-board procedures were a bit of a surprise. At the airport, there is a security guard who checks your photo ID against your airline ticket before you are allowed to proceed to the x-ray scanners. Every bag is being scanned with more scrutiny. They were also making every person empty out everything from their pockets, metal or not, no matter what, before proceeding through the walk-through scanner. Some bags were being randomly hand-searched.

On the aircraft (only 50% full by the way. Odd for only the 12th flight from LGA to DEN since the attack. Reports are that around 30% of ticketed passengers just aren't showing up.) we were told to remain in our assigned seats, and that while the seatbelt sign was on, there would be absolutely no movement around the cabin. When the seatbelt sign was turned off, we were asked to get up only for the lavoratory, or to get something out of the overhead compartment. Otherwise, we were to remain in our seats.

The flight was boarded on time, but we took off about 40 minutes late because the catering truck was late - I guess they are subject to more stringent security checks as well and were held up at an inspection point. Interestingly, the catering carts are now sealed, and the flight attendants have to check the seal before accepting them on board.

On climb-out from LGA we flew Southwest, and could easily see the World Trade Center area out the left side of the aircraft. My first aerial view. The smoke plume was visibile, and drifting Southwest.

It is good to be home.

For accounts and many more pictures from my visits to the WTC site in 2002 click here: 2002 WTC page.

View of Manhattan near my friend Ellen's apartment in Queens

Chalk writings in Union Square, Manhattan

Other memorials honoring those who lost their lives, Union Square