W Mrs Duds, flying home from Hawaii. On United. Announcement from cockpit that air traffic had rerouted our flight to Vegas instead of Denver, no explanation. Flight crew were very tense, quickl picking up all meal and drink service to prep for unscheduled landing. Turns out many lost colleagues that morning in the eastern US. McCarron airport in LV was chaos, heavily armed military presence everywhere, Still no explanation of what the crisis was. Impossible to book train, bus or car rental to Grand Junction, only 9 hours' drive home. After hours of waiting @ airport for some official word, United announce its passengers could get on vans for transport to Sam's Hotel and Casino where lodging would be provided. The van driver gave us our first description of the terrorist attack.
Long story short, 3 days later we were given 5 minutes' notice to load a shuttle for the airport. There were 20 passengers on a 757, after United was able to recruit a flight crew to reposition the jet to DIA for flights the next day when air travel resumed. We sat in 1st class, the flight crew gave us any food or beverage onboard at no charge. We were the only plane in the sky for the short flight to DIA @ sunset. The crew were traumatized, some cried, some were mute.
Never forget these turning points. We will be attacked again. There will be more pandemics. Our comparatively safe and stable life in the USA is not guaranteed. Challenges can pull us apart or unite us. We decide.