We remember well the day of September 11, 2001, when New York’s Twin Towers were demolished by two hijacked aircraft and the Pentagon was struck by another. A third airplane crashed after pax rushed the hijackers.

It was an attack on America. A bad day! Those of us who remember it will never forget.

I was sitting at a restaurant that morning, awaiting the arrival of the other members of the Greater North Alabama Lying Pilots Association. One of them called to urge me to watch the TV. I did, and was appalled.

It was a day that changed aviation and airports forever.

On that day our leaders knew that our country had been attacked—but not by whom. After three attacks on three buildings was it over, or just beginning? Was this going to turn into outright war? President Bush the younger was in Florida when the attacks occurred, and it was decided that he would stay on the move rather than have all government leaders in Washington. He did return to Washington, DC, that evening in Air Force.

Things got tough thereafter. Airport parking lots were changed, as was airport security and—most importantly—inflight security. Airports changed greatly—even those of who flew regularly were confused.

Even passengers paid attention. At one airport I noticed a piece of luggage in a trashcan. I reported it to security and they came over much more quickly than expected. I—thinking the bag might explode—ducked into the restroom, just in case.

There was no explosion, thank goodness, but security thanked me for reporting it.

In those days I traveled almost constantly. Often I gave a speech after dinner in one city, then got up early the next morning to catch a dawn flight. It was hard to get enough sleep, but I was an expert at napping in airports between flights. I even had my secret nap spots at different airports.

After 9/11 I sneaked into one of my secret spots and laid down, head propped on computer bag, and prepared for 40 winks.

Then I got to thinking—I may be awakened by nervous people with serious weapons. I arose immediately and never slept in an airport again.

Airlines—we were told—had armed guards passing as regular pax. I knew one of those guys. Years later he told me hat if a hijacker held a flight attendant as a shield, he was instructed to shoot through the attendant to kill the hijacker.

As Edgar Allan Poe wrote in “The Raven”: “Ah, distinctly I remember…”

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