It’s that dreaded day once again. Some have asked how long I’ll keep doing this tribute. Maybe ten years afterwards was enough. But in my mind, what happened on September 11, 2001 created such a dramatic change for our industry that I can’t imagine stopping this tradition anytime soon. So once again, let us remember those who were at the center of it all. The flight crews on the four aircraft that never made it to their destinations that day certainly deserve to be remembered.
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; Robert J Fangman, 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
23 comments on “Honoring the Flight Crews That Died 11 Years Ago Today”
I don’t think it stops being powerful when you read the names of those working on the flight.
Definitely keep it going please. Here in New York, the phrase “never forget” is heard a lot this time of year. Making this post every year helps us to never forget that these crews also lost their lives, which I think is easily lost in the context of the thousands killed at the WTC site. Thanks for doing this every year, Cranky.
Keep it going!! They’ve never taken down the US Flag from atop EWR Gate A17, from which UA 93 departed and NEVER should.
Too many people forgot Pearl Harbor, except those who were there and grew up during that period. US History is always somehow forgotten in our school system and tragic events such as Pearl Harbor and 9/11 must NEVER ever be forgotten!! 9/11 is our Pearl Harbor and we MUST NEVER forget.
Just a quick question I heard as well they do not use the gate as well so do they not use?
People often forget what flight crews do and risk. They’re more than beverage servers and traffic cops. Maybe we ought to thank them more often.
Amen. And we should give them the respect they deserve. Pay attention during the safety briefing and follow their instructions.
Thank you from a retired Flight Attendant.
One More Roll by Commander Jerry Coffee, Hanoi, 1968
We toast our hearty comrades who have fallen from the skies, and were gently caught by God’s own hand to be with him on High.
To dwell among the soaring clouds they’ve known so well before. From victory roll to tail chase, at heaven’s very door.
As we fly among them there, we’re sure to head their plea. To take care my friend, watch your six, and do one more roll for me.
Thank you from an ex-AA-Crew Scheduler.
Thanks for the post Brett!
I fly a lot and I think about it everytime I fly. I do wish we could get read of the TSA thought. 9/11 was terrible but it allowed our government to create another wasteful department.
A tradition that should not end, we must not never forget all of those lost on 9/11
don’t ever stop remembering, memorializing, reminding. The day Sept 11 becomes “just another day” is not a day I want in my lifetime, nor that of my children, or their children, or theirs, or…… We cannot forget. We need to remain vigilant, on guard and always leaning forward to track down those who would attempt to destroy our freedoms, our livelihood, our way of life, our heritage and our future as a free people. Future generations must be as vigilant as those who know Sept. 11, 2001 personally. Don’t ever forget and don’t let anyone else forget.
We often forget that the first men and women to die on 9/11 were flight crew. May they rest in peace and their souls fly forever.
Let’s give respect and honor to those who died and to those who took part in rescuing our beloved people in 911 attack. They are worthy to be commemorated.
Thanks.
Great post to remember the ultimate price paid by 33 men and women in the airline biz on 9/11/01. Brett, set this on annual autopilot, these tributes should continue every year.
Brett:
Given the events that have taken place yesterday and today in Lybia and Egypt, don’t ever stop memorializing the 4 crews.
I lost a friend on UAL 93 and also had another friend, who was traveling with his daughter-in-law on PAA 103.
NEVER FORGET
I went back to your blog because for one reason: the US government and the whole world still do not stop to remember this event that shocked the world. It feels great to know that.
I flew on the morning of 9/11 into NYC. Had a view of Manhattan on the descent into LGA. Earlier, I had read the wikipedia entry on 9/11, which nearly brought me to tears. My company lost over 100 employees. I have friends and colleagues at the PANYNJ, for whom this is still a raw and traumatic wound. You should stop when September 11 is no longer on the calendar.
I’m a bit late with this but I just found your blog. As a former FA, but really especially as just a human being, I have never thought that the flight crews, especially the FAs, have gotten enough attention for their sacrifices that day. I flew for US Airways out of BOS at the time and happened to be in Pittsburgh for my first day of annual recurrent training that day. We with little seniority many if us were “involuntarily furloughed” by December. My life was irrevocably changed by 9/11, but I was lucky. The ultimate price was paid by these souls, and we should remember them at least once a year. Well done, and thanks.
Sometimes I wonder whether pilots and flight attendants are over valued. It seems that bus drivers bear heavy responsibilities but are not even recognised half as much.
Opening Paragraph, alternative…..
“…this tradition anytime soon. So once again, WE HONOR the four flight crews that beautiful September morn’…. They flew not to their expected ‘earthly destinations’, but soared together with beloved passengers into ETERNAL LIGHT, LOVE, AND REMEMBRANCE.”
NLW