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The podcast episode features an interview with a former air traffic controller who shares insights into the profession. He discusses the complexity of managing air traffic and the responsibilities involved in ensuring the safety of flights. The controller explains the challenges of coordinating departures and arrivals, maintaining separation between aircraft, and the protocols for handling different types of aircraft. He also shares personal stories of near miss incidents and the importance of communication among controllers and pilots.
During the interview, the air traffic controller recalls his experience on the morning of September 11, 2001. He discusses the beautiful weather and the blue sky that day, and the sense of disbelief when news and rumors of a potential hijacking started circulating. He recounts the specific situation he was handling at the time, trying to manage departures and arrivals into Washington and Baltimore airports while receiving information about a possible hijacking. Initially, there was doubt and humor about the situation, but it soon became clear that it was a catastrophic event.
The air traffic controller explains that the targets on their radar display indicated a plane they believed to be American Airlines Flight 11, which was later confirmed to be hijacked. He details the subsequent events, including the transponder being turned off and the shift to primary radar tracking. The controller reflects on the uncertainty surrounding the situation and the lack of a protocol for dealing with such a catastrophic event. He also describes the difficulty in getting permission from another controller to climb a nearby aircraft, as the possibility of a hijack created heightened precautions.
The air traffic controller discusses the lack of options available for responding to the hijacked planes in real-time. He considers the complexity of shooting down an aircraft full of civilians and the absence of established procedures for such extreme situations. The episode concludes with him reflecting on the emotional toll of the events of 9/11 and the long-lasting impact it had on him and his colleagues in the air traffic control profession.
On 9/11, air traffic controllers at Boston Center are tracking American 11 and United 175, which they believed to be hijacked. They communicate with military radar approach control seeking assistance, but encounter challenges in obtaining help. The controllers diligently work to maintain other air traffic separation while monitoring the hijacked aircraft.
As the hijacked United 175 descends rapidly and heads towards other aircraft, controllers take immediate action to avoid collision. They issue instructions to Delta 2511 and US Air 542 to make evasive turns and maintain separation. The controllers adapt and make quick decisions to ensure the safety of the aircraft under their watch.
The 9/11 attacks had a profound emotional impact on air traffic controllers. Counseling and support were provided to help cope with the trauma. Some controllers found solace in sharing their experiences with colleagues and forming connections with those who were directly affected by the events.
Airline safety measures have significantly evolved since 9/11, including reinforced cockpit doors, better training for pilots, and increased passenger awareness. Passengers are considered an important line of defense against potential hijacking attempts, as their vigilance and courage are seen as crucial in preventing such incidents from recurring.
Chris Tucker is a former air traffic controller who was working in New York City on 9/11. Tucker spent the whole day trying to keep the passengers of two hijacked planes safe. This episode is his story. It's heroic, and it saved lives. But as Chris says, "I was just doing my job."
Episode Notes:
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Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts:
Follow me on social media:
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