Thoughts on Flying on 9/11

Michael Gartenberg | September 11, 2006, 05:21 PM

Today is an interesting day. A time to reflect on the events of five years ago (probably not appropriate to refer to it as an anniversary, at least in this country, few people will be celebrating commemoration of the events of that day)

One of the things that crossed my mind when I knew that i had to be in SF today was that I would be flying out of New York on 9/11 at the precise moment the first plane hit the world trade tower. I am usually not a nervous flyer. The fact that the only thing separating me from the ground at 30,000 feet is a thin skin of aluminum that has absolutely no reason to stay in the air has little effect on my psyche. While I don't think I was overly nervous today the whole routine of the flight was more somber than usual. Perhaps it was being selected for special screening (I needed to fly on two one way tickets with no checked bags, that might have raised a flag or two) that took about 30 mins of being frisked while the contents of my luggage was examined garment by garment in detail. As we boarded, there was no banter, it was eerily quiet as people looked closely at each other. A row behind me, a couple who appeared to be middle eastern seemed to be subject to particular scrutiny by everyone else on board. I doubt this was a pleasant flight for them. Throughout the ride, the plane was silent, almost intense. The attendants handed out food and drinks, the movie played but there was no one on board that didn't feel this flight was different somehow. When the plane landed, the person next to me let out an audible sigh. No doubt. Life is different in a lot of ways than it was in 2001, but somehow, flying on this day, even more so.