Travel or Stay: My Sep 11, 2001 predicament from faraway Bangalore

Tue September 11, 2001

A date that remains etched in global memory, marking one of the most catastrophic events in recent history. On that day, (evening IST in India) from over 8,000 miles away in Bangalore, I was scheduled for a business trip to Seattle.

Destination: 

The Architects Conference in the hallowed halls of Microsoft HQ, where the legendary Bill Gates himself was set to grace us with his presence and lead a few exclusive sessions.  

5PM IST (7:30AM EDT)

As a seasoned traveler and a member of the Lufthansa Miles & More club, I had embarked on numerous international journeys before. However, this particular expedition held an extraordinary significance—it marked my maiden voyage flying Lufthansa directly from Bangalore, courtesy of the recent (from 1st September the same year) commencement of international flights from the city. The excitement of an unforgettable adventure intertwined with professional enthusiasm enveloped me.

Here's my account of the anxious hours that followed..

6:30PM IST (9:00AM EDT) 

First Alert: In the midst of my preparations, my brother-in-law called, urging me to switch on the TV to check on what is happening in the United States. Uncertain about what I was about to witness, I followed his advice and turned on the television, only to be met with scenes of chaos and devastation at New York. The news reports were still hazy and the gravity of the situation was still unclear.

Doubt began to creep into my mind, and I questioned whether it was wise to proceed with my international journey. Despite being a seasoned traveler, the events of that day were unprecedented, and I couldn't ignore the sense of unease that washed over me.

Consulting Boss: Hesitant to make a decision on my own, I reached out to my boss for guidance. His response, driven by courage and a commitment to work, encouraged me to carry on with my plans, emphasizing that business must continue as usual.

We both knew we needed more information to make our decision. So finally we decided to wait a little longer before finalizing .

9:30PM IST (12 Noon EDT, 9AM PDT)

Checking With Microsoft: I waited for the PDT office opening hours and called the Microsoft Conference Organizers directly in Seattle, hoping to gain more insight into the situation. The voice on the other end reassured me that, based on the information they had at the time, the conference would proceed as scheduled. Though my concerns were somewhat eased, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss.

10:30PM IST (1PM EDT)

At Bangalore Airport: Since Bangalore airport was so close to my home (less than 3 miles), I wanted to check the situation by directly visiting the airport. At the Lufthansa check-in counter, passengers were boarding flights to various destinations in the US via Frankfurt. The airline staff were efficient and welcoming, ready to check me in for my flight. 

Aborting the Trip: However, at the last moment, a surge of intuition prompted me to change my plans. Trusting my gut feeling, I decided to abort the trip and return home. (In fact, I took back my tickets and passport from the check-in staff and rushed home) 

Wed 5AM IST (Tue 7:30PM EDT)

As the next morning dawned in India, I turned on the TV to witness the heartbreaking reality of the attacks. It was a day that would go down in history as one of the darkest days in American history

Personal Reflection and the Impact on Air Travel

The realization of my close call hit me hard. Had I traveled, I would have been stuck midway in Frankfurt, unable to travel anywhere for the next 14 days due to the suspension of flights. As the days turned into weeks and weeks into months, the shock and impact of the events that day continued to reverberate across the world. The aftermath of that tragic day left an indelible mark on society, forever changing the way we perceived air travel and security.

Honoring the Victims and Acknowledging the Global Impact

In the wake of the tragic events of the day, the loss of countless lives and the profound impact on global security and travel cannot be understated. This pivotal moment in history forever changed the landscape of our world, leading to unprecedented shifts in how we perceive air travel and approach security measures.

As we reflect on this significant tragedy, it is essential to approach the topic with utmost respect and sensitivity. The experiences shared, even from faraway places like Bangalore, are a testament to the far-reaching consequences of such a momentous event.

In acknowledging the significance of that fateful day, we pay tribute to the victims, survivors, and all those affected by the far-reaching implications of that day. We stand united in our commitment to ensuring that such a tragedy is never forgotten and that the legacy of those we lost lives on through our collective efforts to build a safer and more compassionate world.