CLT Remembers 9/11

Twenty-five years ago, on a crisp, sunny Tuesday in September 2001, the world changed forever. What began as a normal morning for operations at CLT quickly turned into days of uncertainty and chaos in Charlotte and around the world.

Immediately after the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pa., the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) shut down U.S. airspace and grounded all flights, leaving the Carolina blue skies eerily empty for three days and CLT’s ramp and terminal crowded with planes and stranded passengers.

Aviation Employees Respond

“This was 2001, so we were getting faxes from the FAA about our current status and ‘here is what we are expecting you to do,’” recalls CLT Chief Infrastructure Officer Jack Christine, who was then the Airport Planner.

Former CLT Airport Director Jerry Orr instructed Christine to go to the former U.S. Airways ramp control tower to help facilitate gate space for planes currently waiting to land and to find alternative parking for planes already at the gates.

“I was telling the ramp manager, ‘Okay, park this one here, park that one there,’ and we were literally parking them catty-corner on the taxiway,” said Christine. “We had planes everywhere.” The airport had only 69 gates in 2001, yet on 9/11 it had about twenty diversions and nearly twice as many aircraft to park, with about 125 planes eventually grounded here. (Photo: Charlotte Douglas International Airport, September 11, 2001)

The FAA also wanted the terminal cleared; however, connecting passengers had nowhere to go, rental cars were gone within an hour and baggage was piled up. Uber didn't exist in 2001, so if a taxi wasn’t available, strangers began offering rides.

CLT Chief Maintenance Mechanic Charlie King was working that day and watched the events unfold on a TV mounted above a soda machine. “Our Airport looked like an aircraft parking lot,” said King. “I remember the silence at the Airport and how eerie it was to hear nothing but silence during the day.”

David Neal was an Airport Operations Officer at the time, escorting a fuel truck on the airfield. “We had to bus passengers and flight crews from the aircraft that had parked on the hardstand and the former Runway 5/23 to the main terminal,” he said. “Without planes taking off, you could hear birds chirping.”

David Roberts was a new IT employee, on his way to fix a receptionist’s computer in the terminal when he learned what happened. “There was uncertainty, confusion and and fear, but there was also a strong sense of teamwork and responsibility. Everyone understood that we were part of something much bigger than our individual jobs…everyone came together.”

CLT Concessions Manager Jennifer Long was interning with the Airport’s Public Affairs division under the current CLT Chief Executive Officer, Haley Gentry, who was Public Affairs Manager in 2001. Long recalls being at the Information Booth in the Ticketing area when she first heard the news.

“The terminal slowly became a ghost town, and we partnered with the Red Cross to bring in cots that eventually lined the Atrium with folks who were stranded,” recalled Long. “I also remember bringing in piano players and musicians to help soften the mood and environment.”

Added Gentry, “I remember sending employees to the grocery store to buy diapers and baby formula. “We were in full response mode for several days. I remember once I finally made it home, just being mentally and physically exhausted.” (Pictured: Haley Gentry, Current CLT CEO)

“During that night, I honestly couldn’t concentrate on my work duties,” recalled Inventory & Warehouse Specialist John Morris, who was a Building Maintenance Supervisor in charge of floor care in 2001. “I was scared, worried about the future state of the world, the economy and even my work status.”

Flights Resume

On Thursday, Sept. 13, 2001, very limited domestic flights resumed as stranded aircraft were repositioned. By Friday, Sept. 14, major carriers started ramping up partial schedules.

In a letter to Aviation Department employees, then Director Orr attempted to recap that week’s tragic events:

“It is unclear what the coming months will bring. Some of you will be asked to do different things than those for which you were hired,” wrote Orr. “I have said it many times – ‘An organization is only as good as its people.’ We will make it through this difficult time because of our people and their ability to remain focused on this mission. I appreciate your hard work, cooperation and dedication.”