story10225.xml

story10225.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-12-01

On the day of 9-11-01, I was at work at General Mitchell International Airport. I am an Aircraft Fueler and on that day I was fueling only Midwest Express flights. It was early in the morning I was just finishing up on a DC-9-10 when I noticed that the rampers were walking away from my flight that left in less than an hour. Once I was done with my flight, I went into the Midwest Operations room to see if they had any more fuel loads up. As I waited for my fuel loads I saw about 6 rampers sitting real close to the tv watching cnn. I could not see what they were watching, so I left the building and started my next flight. While fueling the MD-80 I called my co-worker (Jeff) on the radio and said Jeff if you have time go inside the Operations room and see what is going on in there. Jeff said ok and on he went, and he was only in there for about 5 min when he yelled on the radio to me (Mike) hurry come here to see this on cnn tv. We both could not believe what we were hearing from the people near the twin towers on tv. That same morning we had diversions from all over, planes like 727's,757's,DC-9's,MD-80's, and Airbus 320's it was a just a crazy day. Former President of the United States George Bush Sr even landed at Mitchell International due to the FAA restrictions to all flights in the USA. The only flights we had going out on the field were the 128th Air Refueling Wing which is the Military and flies KC-135R tankers. I will never forget what I saw, heard, or did that sad day. My heart and prayers go out to all the Aviation families who lost their loved ones on those doomed flights. Those pilots we lost will always be loved and remembered by all of us in the Aviation business. Now they are flying for the most important man to all, the LORD.