The entire American airspace is closed. There are 400 planes in the air and they have to land as soon as possible. This is the untold story of ATC controllers.
The Canadians in Gander were not just hero’s to land all the people and planes, but superhero’s to open their homes, provide food, shelter and immense kindness to help the displaced people for a few days. On that terrible day, Canada, Newfoundland, and the wonderful people of Newfoundland were the silver lining. ❤️🇨🇦
from my experience in newfoundland over the last year that's just the way Newfoundlanders are. my mobility cart broke and as I was waiting for parts and trying to figure out how to get it fixed with one hand I was pushing myself to get dinner in a wheelchair everyday. the guy that lives at the corner passed me got home turned around came back to see why I was using the chair I explained what happened he got me the rest of the way home and for the next week brought me food and helped fix my mobility cart. we got it fixed and the carb plugged up and quit running on the testdrive so he came and got me towed me home and I ordered a new carb it gets here tomorrow
I wasnt aware of the feat till 2021 when I came across the play ' Come from Away' .Did go to see the play and its truly wonderful how it was all managed.
The crew of Gander, the 224 will live in legend status for ATC folks...... Hell of a marathon y'all... And the warm hearted folks in town who opened their doors to all the strangers.... We in the Minnesota salute you all.......
Don O'Brien still controls Gander airspace to this day. Honestly the coolest voice to hear on the airwaves and I said that before I knew he was part of this 9/11 chaos. Amazing radio voice.
Every year you learn something new about the type of heroism that was shown that bright blue morning on September 11, 2001. I had no idea about Operation Yellow Ribbon. God Bless to the Canadian ATC officers and too all ATC both in the US and around the world who keep our skies safely moving 🙏 ❤
Almost a plane a minute for an airport not equipped for this type of traffic - those ATC's are champs and hero's. Canadians also know that Newfoundlanders are the most generous, kind and welcoming people.
I was stuck in stand-still traffic on the 405 after the US airspace closed on 9/11 and watched one after another plane land at LAX. I was in the car with several other college students and every time we saw a plane land, we cheered like it was a goal scored at a football game. But it was absolutely insane the planes in line to land one after the other. Everyone in ATC that day was absolutely amazing.
I lived in Portland, Oregon, and the F-15's that are supposed to provide air superiority for the entire west coast at the time were based here. It was like... my fourth day of high school, and as I was walking out the door to go to school my mother got a call from her sister, she gasped, and she shouted at me "Go turn on the TV!" I kind of sighed, because I was annoyed and was going to be late to school, so I asked "What channel?" and she said "It doesn't matter." and I have never felt my blood chill that quickly before or since. Later that day, after everything had landed, the F-15's were doing max performance take-offs from the air base, which is like right in the middle of the city, and they were flying cap missions. I walked out side and watched an F-15 scream past going at least Mach 0.9 at less than 1,500 feet before doing an almost vertical shot into the sky, break the sound barrier, and just BOOK its way to the south. Those two memories, the channel comment and the F-15 flying right over my head, are burned into my mind.
So many quiet heroes that day. Another unsung group is highlighted in the documentary “Boatlift”. The volunteers who stepped up with personal and commercial boats to help evacuate lower Manhattan (350,000-500,000 in 9 hours) managed to dwarf the boat-lift at Dunkirk in WWII (350,000 in 9 days). I highly recommend it.
@@MikePhillips-pl6ov Disagree. just because Dunkirk was across teh channel does not make the sheer scale incomparable. 350K in 9 hours is and always will be an insane feat, and is indeed very comparable to dunkirk.
I hadn't seen a show done on this till now. It must have been so crazy trying to land so many planes in such a short time and in an airport that's not really suited for that. They did an amazing job coordinating that.
Without question, the longest and most terrible event in our country's history. But what bravery from our friends in Canada 🇨🇦 who have their own day every September the 11th in memorial of that day. & of course, the American people are coming together. United we stand.
If you ever have the chance to see the broadway show 'Come from Away' it's all about this tragic day, the amazing ATCs and the wonderful people of Gander, a tiny town who had food, water, toiletries and homes opened up with love to help the thousands of passengers who were stranded. The Gander people will also never be forgotten ❤
Even before September 11, 2001, I had enormous respect for the work of air traffic controllers. But what these gentlemen did that day was just unbelievable. Achievement is possible when you have the right people (all) in the right place at the right time. Solidarity,Camaraderie and the absolute will to bring this to a good conclusion. Deep respect from Germany
Not just gentlemen. There were ladies there too who all contributed in the same way. They may have been fewer in number but they deserve the recognition too.
@@fluffyfour Of course not only men (I am one too) but also the women. The error occurred when translating from German. Sometimes, unfortunately, this is not synonymous. This even caused wars in history. So thanks again to everyone!
@@2tone753very amazing and herrliche Menschen! I think the same. As a German student please feel free to drop the difficult to translate word (for my own future attention), but of course, no pressure. I am so obsessed with the amazing work of these people that day… They have my intense respect . It took difficult decisions and flexibility to deal with the evolving threat
I've always thought air traffic controllers did an amazing job that day. I never realized the job dropped on Gander. I love the last statement. Good will prevail indeed. Well done ...thank you
and then, while all those scared people sat on all those planes the town of Gander opened its HUGE heart and took them in, I'm getting verklempt just thinking of it...we love you GANDER!!
An absolutely brilliant job by everyone EVERYWHERE that horrible day! Landing over 5,600 planes in North America, and not losing any of them, is the greatest feat in aviation history
@@danielgolus4600well then you sir would make a terrible pilot. It’s about being as safe as possible not about if they’re gonna hurt you’re feelings. Imagine being responsible for hundreds of lives and thinking about how someone is talking to you in a terrorist situation. Your an idiot.
@danielgolus4600 wouldn’t be anxious to fly with you as a pilot if you’re going to get butthurt by a curt controller in a massive unprecedented crisis situation.
400 planes all needing to land ASAP and every single one got down without incident. Horrible circumstances but i hope every single one of those people are proud.
@@Whitneypyant the west coast got hit hard too. but thankfully, a lot of them went to Vancouver - huge airport, huge city. The reason the east coast gets highlighted, is that they received as many planes (maybe more) than the west coast, but the east coast, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick - all dotted with small to medium sized towns. Gander was the most extreme case - and fitting, as they were the control center as well.
wow what a 100% different view of that day, i wasnt expecting the subject matter when i clicked to watch it, i am glad it was a very great surprise, thank you for creating and sharing this documentary of people who helped America when needed
I Have Never known anyone involved with 911 But this has stuck with since day one. My Soul was injured and I’ve never recovered from it. Coming up with the next anniversary it’s still very much hitting my heart. One thing that I decided from the first year was that whenever I see 911 in any clock ⏰ I always say a Prayer for one person and sometimes I pick a Daughter a Son, Father, mother or any other family member. This I will never FORGET! I still cry when I watch these videos and I hope that I never stop. Love to all of you who are reading this. Blessings from Paso Robles, California, Carlos ✝️🙏❤️😢🇺🇸
I know same! Can’t believe with so many affected that I can’t relate other than watching numerous Documentaries to understand just how bad it was. This is my first time knowing how Canada helped this much.
God Bless all who helped land all these jets. Thank you Canada from this American who really respects your efforts you made that day. Thank you very much from Pennsylvania! I just visited Flight 93 National Memorial for the 22 anniversary to pay my respects to our Hero's on Flight 93. God bless all who did what they had to do that day.
Could you imagine how fast these air traffic controllers have to work in order international flights around and get them to land before they entered closed US air space? What they did was nothing short of miraculous. Also, controllers within the US had to land about 4000 planes! Incredible.
This is one of the stories and that of your town: that first lifted this Americans heart out of the dark place all those 20 years ago. Bravo to all of you. Way to more than “rise to the the occasion “. On 🇨🇦 Canada. Thank you.
And one of the first accusations made on one of the major US news networks on the morning of 9/11 was the hijackers probably entered the US through Canada.
The stress those guys must have felt would have been overwhelming both on the ground and pilots...this is nothing short of a miracle and heroism 🤯❤🙏🏴
You did such an outstanding job. I once had a dream of becoming an air traffic controller, and I admire all of you handling such a stressful job, and on this particular day you were heroes managing what you did. Thank you, each and every one of you.
A well done documentary!! I never imagined the chaos they had to deal with on that day. And to not lose a single plane during that chaos is a tribute to how well they do thier job.
I’m watching this while out of the country for the last two months, and holy cow it’s hitting me so much harder. I teared up seeing the towers fall. My American brothers and sisters 😢
I hurt watching it too. I hurt for them I hurt for my family, for myself…(I was a paratrooper, multiple deployments followed. I was wounded and lost the ability to have children naturally. My husband had more deployments than me and the struggle to have children (we lost 9 babies including twins which was the last straw) cost us our marriage. I’m alone now. Multiple health problems. I was able to have three children with IVF but the payments cost me the equivalent by of three houses. My husband took a contractor job in Afghanistan to pay for it while I raised the babies, getting sicker the whole time. I’m sorry to make this about me…I’m struggling with self-death thoughts as I write this. Im sorry. I’m just so alone.
@@mamavswild You’re never alone, though you may feel like it. There are many other people who feel similar. They, like you, are waiting for somebody to reach out to them. Please be the one to reach out to a support group. Ask a medical professional for help. Please. At some point in our lives many of us feel like the walls are closing in and the ceiling is caving. We got through. A professional can help you reframe your thoughts. Also, there are many therapists on RU-vid who talk about various conditions. People comment in those places. That’s where you’ll KNOW there are others who will understand you. Please take action and be well. Hugs to you!
In other channels, it was only noted that all the airplanes to or from New York were cancelled. However Gander Airport staffs worked so hard to land those airplanes in the air. I sincerely respect Gander Airport staffs and airplanes staffs who did not know what was happening in the big city.
Knowing nothing about Air Traffic Controlling it astonishes me how they can keep track of everything and everyone. If I go to the store to buy milk and butter I forget one or the other every single time 😃 Fantastic job they/you do!
Those who either were on the ground giving directions or the pilots were too heroes that day, they provided safety to not just us Americans but to those from around the world. And then the generosity and love our Gander Canadians gave to those who were stranded and grieving, there is not words worthy of the gratitude we have for helping us in our darkest moments.
It still feels surreal to see the subjects talking... and then their reenactors are so noticeably younger.... Still feels like it was "just a few" years ago, not over 20.
there is many shows who did a piece on this. I think 60 mins= Beacon of hope. GANDER NFLD. Massive undertaking ! they had to be clear and concise to the pilots no time to lose. Heroes all of them. its a small airport THe air traffic controllers involved in this amazing time of need Deserve every ounce of happiness !!! So very proud :)
@@danielgolus4600 These were recreations you heard. And even if they were DIRECT w/the flight crew, it wasn't about how wussy people like you feel about matters of international security! You big baby!
@@danielgolus4600 And what was completely histrionic (aside from your comment) was the idiot who stated on an American news network as the planes were slamming into the buildings that the hijackers probably entered the US from Canada!
Another aspect of this, not touched on in this documentary: as soon as it became clear that all these planes were going to need to make an extended unplanned visit, someone (presumably with the airport or local government) had to start prepping for a kajillion wide-body aircraft's passengers. My understanding is that the Canadians did an outstanding job with that as well; but I hope they did a good job of debriefing and unpacking what worked well and what did not, because emergency management personnel all over the world could probably get a lot out of the lessons learned.
Phenomenal job by all at Gandar airport and fascinating documentary. I’ve always been curious to know what was going through the minds of the ATC and pilots of all the airborne aircraft that day so I’m really glad I came across this video.
And some of the passengers had to sit in their planes up to 24 hours while police and customs addressed them all. The city did an amazing job with their hospitality at least.
I’ll never forget this day as long as I live. I was feeding my baby on the lounge and watching the tv in absolute horror. May the ppl who died on 9/11 and all the people who have died after as a direct result of 9/11 rest in eternal paradise 😢 Kudos to all the pilots, air hostesses and traffic controllers for doing an outstanding job under such extreme and tragic circumstances
Watching this for the first time…my stomach is rocking and rolling as though it is happening now not 2001. This is amazing. Controllers are as cool as a cucumber under tremendous stress.
I was 6 years old when this happened. I remember my mom waking me up that morning saying that someone had attacked the twin towers. I didn't fully understand at the time, but I think I knew it wasn't good. I'll ever forget that day. Still makes me emotional. Ps. Thank you Radio control people, and Gander for what you did for us.
I was about the same age but was just about to turn 7 17 days after this horrible day all I can remember was sitting at in the old dinning room(this was about 11 years or so before we added on/renovations) i looked at mom she was standing by the sliding glass door I asked what was going on they were replaying the day my brother was in highschool my sister was in Jr high (I'm the baby I was planned late in life)
Standing ovation. .., …..the mother of invention and expression of the potential within us Be interesting to have a chapter 2 and follow the passengers and crews as they find basic necessities over the next few days and how it worked. Hopefully with much camaraderie
We never question Her will to stand by, nor the competency of our neighbor to the north. Their special forces were absolute professionals in the global war on terror. We Americans🇺🇸 love Canada 🇨🇦!
These are 🌟The Heroes ⚡️🌟 many of us really didn’t think about, we took their rolls for granted, we didn’t mean to do that. 🎉 Honors to Them All🎉 Thank You
224 planes in less than 4 hours. That's basically 1 plane a minute. That's insane. I always wondered how many other planes had hijackers on that failed because the planes got grounded.
One should not forget the fact that they did a fantastic job getting them on their way after 2 days also that was not just an ordinary day either This people did a great job twice Just saying 🇧🇻
This was an excellent documentary and a reminder of how Canada came to the aid of the America by helping clear the airspace and taking in the international flights on 9/11. I was about to ask whether or not the US government paid Canada to have all those flights diverted, but then I remembered airliners have to pay landing fees to the airports.
Remarkable professionalism from all involved. Great documentary, though I wish they would've ditched the dramatizations and let the ATC / Pilots tell it.
Gander had 14 controllers to land 38 planes and plenty of parking. Good thing that 2nd pilot was paying attention when ATC brought them in too tight. They dodged a bullet there.
I think it was more the plane that had landed before the Sabena, for whatever reason was not able to get off the runway quick enough. Pilots are always prepared to do a go around.
I was working in a hospital about an hour from Boston. I watched the events unfold in the emergency department. We were near an air force base. I remember seeing fighters over head. I eventually learned that a high school friend was on board 175. My heart broke.
These are the heroes we have not heard much about. I remember looking up at the sky and my two year old asking, “planes go bye - bye?” ... no planes, no trains, no traffic in my area... sickening quiet. I never imagined what the air traffic controllers accomplished that day. Phenomenal! They had many lives in their hands, and did not fail a single one. Thank you, to all unsung heroes.
The Canadians and Mexicans really stepped up on 9/11. Thank you to the Canadian and Mexican ATC and airport ops, Gander and elsewhere, who pulled this off! We were not safe in the US, and you took on a huge burden for us.
Honestly it’s incredible that Gander managed to land all those airplanes without crashing some of them. And also that any one of those landed airplanes could have been already been under control of terrorists.
