It’s September 11 again. You would think that after eight years it wouldn’t sting quite as much, but it still does. This is the fourth September 11th that I’ve written a post, and it’s 
the third in which I’ve followed Holly Hegeman’s tradition of publishing the names of the flight crews killed that day. This year, I’ve decided to make my background black for the day. I’ve also included a picture of the haunting Pentagon Memorial, since all too often I feel like those who died there are overshadowed by the World Trade Center.
But as usual, I want the focus to remain on those airline employees who lost their lives just doing their jobs. Please read through the following names and remember what they went through eight years ago today.
American 11 (Boston to Los Angeles)
Crashed into World Trade Center
John Ogonowski, Dracut, Mass., Captain; Thomas McGuinness, Portsmouth, N.H., First Officer; Barbara Arestegui, flight attendant; Jeffrey Collman, flight attendant; Sara Low, flight attendant; Karen Martin, flight attendant; Kathleen Nicosia, flight attendant; Betty Ong, flight attendant; Jean Roger, flight attendant; Dianne Snyder, flight attendant; Madeline Sweeney, flight attendant
United 175 (Boston to Los Angeles)
Crashed into World Trade Center
Victor J. Saracini, Lower Makefield Township, Pa., Captain; Michael Horrocks, First Officer; Amy Jarret, flight attendant; Al Marchand, flight attendant; Amy King, flight attendant; Kathryn Laborie, flight attendant; Michael Tarrou, flight attendant; Alicia Titus, flight attendant
American 77 (Washington/Dulles to Los Angeles)
Crashed into the Pentagon
Charles Burlingame, Captain; David Charlebois, First Officer; Michele Heidenberger, flight attendant; Jennifer Lewis, flight attendant; Kenneth Lewis, flight attendant; and Renee May, flight attendant
United 93 (Newark to San Francisco)
Crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania
Jason Dahl, Colorado, Captain; Leroy Homer, Marlton, N.J., First Officer; Sandy Bradshaw, flight attendant; CeeCee Lyles, flight attendant; Lorraine Bay, flight attendant; Wanda Green, flight attendant; Deborah Welsh, flight attendant
[Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/79493961@N00/ / CC BY-SA 2.0]
12 comments on “Honoring the Flight Crews That Died Eight Years Ago Today”
Flew for the first time on a 9/11, a dreadful flight from Cebu to Manila on Cebu Pacific. Importantly, and maybe due to the dateline, the date didn’t enter into my mind at all till later.
On 9/11 I was happily employed at AWA, we were a few days away from a major financing deal and all was good. I was awoken early that morning,and realized the gig was up. The drive to work was awful and being greeted by guards at every corner brought it home. No planes in the air meant no money, which meant a lot less employees. I stuck it out for 5 months, and given my 14 years in the company, I got early retirement, which meant free AWA flights for life (mine or the airline, but odds on which would expire first).
Was a rough week , I thought one of those birds was ours, a few days later I was enlisted to call away crews and keep them up to date and arrange the ferry flights back. The biz had soured for me, and 9/11 was the incentive to get me out. Glad I left, I needed real money and more experience. But, I still travel, every chance I get, mostly I pay for it, hence this post from Manila, but the airline industry still runs through my veins like blood. So, a teary salute to the lost and a hopeful and grateful eye to the future.
I too was at America West that day. My very first 9/11 post in 2006 was about my experience.
http://crankyflier.com/2006/09/11/my-911/
I was at United.
I was working for a consulting firm in Washington DC that day, located opposite the World Bank building. We could see the smoke from the Pentagon. It was the worst of days, but brought out the best in some people…at least for a little while.
Thank you for remembering.
I was working for NW at PDX. I was scheduled to work nights. I awoke to my wife shaking me awake and telling me with great urgency to turn on the TV. My first sight was of the 2nd plane hitting the tower.
Shortly thereafter, I was called in to work early. As I drove down I-205, I was stunned by 2 things: First how slowly (and considerately) everyone was driving, and second by how absolutely fantastic the weather was.
A coworker and I waited behind our Airfreight facility for a ride down to the terminal. The airfield silence was haunting and disconcerting. My friend turned to me and asked possibly the most poignant question ever: “Do you think our jobs will be affected by this?”
Kevin,
I think the weather was spectacular all over the nation that day. It was here in Dallas. I remember the elation when all of our aircraft were down safely, and then it seemed that we all collectively asked each other, “what happens now?” A few years ago, I went to the theater to watch United 93. I think my eyes must have been wet the entire 90 minutes in the theater. The movie was a cathartic moment, but even today, I find myself reliving parts off that awful day.
Brian
The Michael Horrocks Story which was published in the Philadelphia Daily News by Dick Jerardi was excellent. Mike was the first officer on UA 175. His friends are trying to create a memorial statue at his college. The link to the story is below.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20090911_Former_teammates_honor_their_fallen_leader__A_statue_for_Mike_Horrocks__pilot_of_Flight_175.html
Thanks for remembering!
Thank you for this post!
It has been 10 years! I miss you Karen Martin fl#11. We will never forget!