Never Forget.
Doug Parker
Founder and Chairman - Breaking Down Barriers; Retired Chairman and CEO - American Airlines
Today I had the privilege of standing with American Airlines crew members at the 9/11 Memorial in New York City.
I find 9/11 is the most challenging day for me to be CEO of American Airlines. Because, while I was working in the industry in 2001, I wasn’t at American. So, try as I might, I can’t begin to grasp the magnitude of emotions the people of American felt on that tragic day or how this anniversary truly feels to them.
So, I don’t pretend to. Instead, I do my best to stand beside them and provide the support and respect our team deserves. And I work to ensure American Airlines properly honors the legacy of the friends they lost.
Those that perished that day are American heroes, but they are not alone. For months after 9/11, most of the United States was paralyzed with fear. People were afraid to fly. One can only imagine the anxiety our American Airlines team felt, and particularly our crew members. But instead of cowering in fear, the brave people of American and their colleagues at other airlines chose to put on their uniforms and go to work — ensuring our country kept moving and showing the world we would not let terrorists win. Our team did so in honor of their fallen colleagues, and they did it with exceptional pride, grace and professionalism.
And, they continue to do it today. We have thousands of team members who were at American on 9/11 and it is an honor to work alongside them. We lift them up on this day, in sympathy and in gratitude.
I am humbled to join our team in honoring the heroes who lost their lives on 9/11. We are blessed by their legacy and inspired by their example. We remember them today and we commit to doing so forever. Never Forget.
Retired - Budget and Contracts Coordinator at American Airlines
3y9/11 A moment of Silence and Prayer and Emotions.
Chairman at CABINNET AKKURT GROUP on LinkedIn
3yWell wrote. Good luck in this difficult times.
Strategic Advisor I Board Director
3yA difficult day for anyone in aviation. Being a mile from ground zero that day, I'll never forget. And we need to remember the many heroes. Never forget!
ESL Teacher
3yI remember working for you at Sky Harbor on 9/11. I will never forget the silence of the airport without the coming and going of planes. I have never been so proud of the guy responsible for my paycheck! Even prior to 9/11 you supported us through many rough times: computer failures during holidays, 100s of thousands of passengers in T4 during Fiesta Bowl weekends, union votes, airport construction, corporate mergers and so many other things through which you always demonstrated immeasurable knowledge, strength in leadership and trust in your subordinates. I'm sure each year you memorialize 9/11 you relive, as do most, the pain, the shock the disbelief and fear. I hope you also relive the more positive side of that horrible event. You were the youngest of all airline CEOs and yet you spoke with such authority and innovation. You convinced Washington and all of us that we could be safe, keep our passengers safe and begin flying AWA again. Thanks to you AWA was the first airline back with flights resuming only 4 days after the terrorists' attack. You have much of which to be proud. Thank you for continuing to keep AWA, United and now American Airlines number 1 in the industry and for the support you continue to give to all.
Senior Vice President Global Airports and Operations Control
3yWe will never forget, but I found in those days after the attack the industry really pulled together and collectively found a way forward and put competition and alliances aside. I know we will do that once again during these challenging times. My thoughts to all at AA and UA.