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it was 9:10 am on tuesday, 09.11.01 -- i was on a t-prop (very small, 20 passenger jet) flying in to los angeles from tulare, ca, coming back from a weekend of shows throughout the midwest. after a long and very tiring four days, the crew, band and i were anxious to get home. shortly after takeoff, the pilot informed us that someone had flown a boeing 757 jet into the world trade center. honestly, i didn't believe him. i don't think anybody did. in fact, a few of use even looked around and shook our heads as if it were some kind of sick joke. but twenty minutes later when we heard of the second plane, we began to wonder -- and realize that now was not the time to be on a plane.
we were then told that we were the last flight permitted to land in LAX - and only because we didn't have enough fuel to turn around. upon landing, we heard about the pentagon's attack as we were escorted by the most stringent security into the terminal. as the airport was being evacuated, the baggage claim areas became swirling, surreal ocean of tears, perplexed looks of anxiety and fear --- a society shocked to the point of numbness, not knowing how to deal with such horrible circumstances.
after an hour or two spent trying to locate all 20 or so pieces of gear and luggage that we (the band and crew) were carrying, we went to the hotel.... where we stayed until today, saturday the 15th. families of the victims of the flights were there -- CNN, MSNBC and local news were saturating the tv's.... there was no escaping the terrifying images of buildings crumbling like sand... of people jumping to their deaths.... of a country desperately trying to look for answers in this most tumultous time of agony.
it's been a long week. nine days away from home when you pack for four is always fun. sometimes i wonder what's going to happen. sometimes i'm scared to think about it. either way, we're america. we've pulled out of worse situations. i must commend president bush on the way he's handled this situation. i think i speak for all when i say that our hearts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this horrible tradgedy. keep your morale high.
god bless.
-w
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