Nine-eleven (9/11) is the most dreadful act of terrorism ever made on US soil, it will always remain a memory that will never be forgotten not only by Americans but by the whole world. This happened on September 11, 2001 – but the same acts of terrorism can happen in our schools.
On September 11, families assembled at ground zero again, the place where nearly 3,000 people died on that bright September morning. Grief was palpable as the mournful sound of bagpipes echoed. Names of the dead were recited again.
A vast number of travel businesses were greatly affected right after the incident. It brought out fear to people to travel around, especially via airlines. As we can recall, four international world-class airliners were used as an instrument by the hijackers.
Here is the list of teraircraft being used during the incident.
American Airlines Flight 77, a Boeing 757 that can carry 200-295 passengers, intended for Los Angeles from Washington, was crashed into the Pentagon.
United Airlines Flight 175, a Boeing 767, larger which can accommodate 200-375 passengers, with a Boston to Los Angeles route, was crashed into the south tower of the World Trade Center.
Another aircraft, the American Airlines Flight 11, also a Boeing 767, with the same Boston to Los Angeles route, was crashed on the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
Finally, United Airlines Flight 93, a Boeing 757, with a Newark International to San Francisco route, crashed into an open field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania after passenger and flight attendant tried to fight their way into the cockpit. This flight should have added to the devastation and larger casualty if not for the 40-minute flight delay it encountered while stationed at the Newark International Airport. The delay sabotages the initial plan of the hijackers to create a simultaneous attack on multiple crowded establishments in the US.
Terrorism reminds us to be diligent about security
Heartbreaking, this unfortunate disaster took a toll of around 3000 people in total, in parts of New York, The Pentagon and the passengers which crashed on the open field in Pennsylvania.
Many stories from the bereaved family members show the account of passengers on board those flights trying to fight back against the perpetrators.
Was there a lack of security on the part of the US government?
One of the accounts is from a flight attendant in one of the United Airline flight, narrating to his husband that they attempted to pour hot boiling water on the hijackers but got interrupted and sadly didn’t call back.
There are those unsung heroes like one of the attendants from American Flight 11, she tried to call her colleagues on the ground the details about the hijackers, like physical description, and seat locations that can help out in the investigation of the authorities.
These are just a few of the many stories passed on during the incident of the nine eleven terror attack.
A comprehensive risk management plan should include regular security audits and testing, review of low-tech threats — such as removal of hard-copy paper documents — and verbal transfer of valuable information and training on and offering incentives for security awareness.
