Staying Calm While Others Panic
WASHINGTON, D.C.
(Editor's note: The following account has been necessarily curtailed because of national security restrictions on interviews and other information.)
The tragedy of Sept. 11 not only killed thousands, but also temporarily shut down operations at some businesses and government services here. Yet the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) didn't skip a beat.
Agency employees, members of AFSCME Locals 953, 1509, 3290 and 3300 (all Council 26), set aside their emotions and guided aircraft safely to the ground to prevent any additional disasters. Many members went beyond the call of duty in working long hours — even when much of the city was closing down that Tuesday.
Were they vital components in calming most Americans' immediate fears? "You bet," says FAA spokesman Hank Price. "They played a great role — all the way from computer technicians to security experts. They have worked diligently to make sure our airspace and airports are as safe as any in the world."
Adds David Sallas, Local 3300 vice president: "The day after the attack, 70 percent of the employees returned to work. The reason some people did not was probably that all of the schools were closed, and they had children at home. On Thursday, I'd say, 90 to 95 percent of the people were back."
RAPID RESPONSE. In the minutes after the first aircraft plowed into the World Trade Center, FAA employees had to stand fast and execute a laundry list of tasks: notifying all aircraft of changes to normal flight rules and restricted air spaces in the United States; accounting for all foreign aircraft in U.S. airspace or heading for it; contacting tower facilities around the country, as well as private airports and landing-strip operators; keeping high-level government executives — starting with the President — up to date on the status of "rogue" aircraft; rushing teams to each crash site and more.
Price explains that certain actions, such as the employees' role in notifying Air Force One and the White House of the attacks and possible danger, can't be discussed because the trade center catastrophe is under investigation by the FBI. He did say that AFSCME members provided valuable information in determining which airports should be closed, including Washington's Reagan National Airport, which re-opened in early October with limited flights. Workers are also assisting and coordinating work schedules for the National Guard troops deployed at many airports for additional security.
One worker, an airport certification specialist from Local 1509, says emotion wasn't a factor when the attacks occurred. "There really wasn't time to think about it. Air traffic controllers froze the sky, and everything had to be on the ground. Then we began a very systematic and methodical way of getting the airports to do the things they had to do to in order to re-open. You have to exercise a lot of control at a time like this."
TAKING CONTROL. In the aftermath of the attacks, members worked under the direction of Department of Transportation Sec. Norman Mineta to improve safety and security in the nation's skies and airports. FAA specialists have been coordinating with airports that house air-carrier operations. Provisions of certain regulations have been modified in response to the crisis. For instance, all airports have new security requirements that determine how close to terminals parking lots can be. Revised safety rules now govern facilities supporting carriers whose aircraft have a seating capacity of more than 30.
"FAA employees are just as outraged and shocked as the rest of the American people," says Rick Richardson, Local 3300 president. He knew something had to be done to assist search and rescue missions in New York City, so he planned and managed a one-day relief drive on Sept. 20. FAA workers contributed $2,137 and two panel trucks full of water and food.
"I'm a [Vietnam] combat veteran and, naturally, when you see something like this, you're absolutely amazed that it can happen in a free country," Richardson explains. "I've checked my travel records, and in the past four years I've been on American Airlines Flight 77 [which crashed into the Pentagon] four times. That's kind of weird when you think about it. It's just a very convenient flight."
— Jimmie Turner
