FROM THE PUBLISHER
9/11 – TIME IS NO GUARANTEE!
PUBLISHER
GREG NAPERT
gnapert@DOMmagazine.com
As I sat down to start writing this column, I couldn’t help but think of the date — it’s September 11. 18 years ago, I was sitting at my desk as a salesperson for FlightSafety International. I had joined FlightSafety just a year earlier for an amazing opportunity after leaving an aviation publication that I had started and grew for more than 12 years. Because I worked my sales territory out of my home, our television was on in the background. I recall seeing an image on the screen of the World Trade Center and a spot where an aircraft had hit with smoke billowing out. It was diffi cult at the time to understand the scale of things, and I assumed a smaller aircraft had accidentally hit the towers. As with any aircraft accident, I became concerned and felt bad for the people involved. But as I glanced back at the TV, I saw a second plane had hit the second tower. I was, of course, quite drawn to the images and as I continued to watch. An unbelievable series of events unfolded that was diffi cult to process. As the day, and then week
progressed, work as I knew it came to a halt. Because FlightSafety was involved in the training business, all training, travel and sales would be frozen in time for the next few weeks. From that point on, things dramatically changed in the aviation industry. Among some of the changes; fences and security were put up at airports that were previously non- existent, background checks and screening were implemented for fl ight training, new restrictions were
put in place for foreign students, and a much higher level of security was implemented at airports for airline passengers. 18 years later and the industry is still
“on watch” for attempts so undermine our security systems in the USA. TSA continues to increase screening requirements, implementing new technology and frequently changing protocols to remain vigilant. You may have seen in the news where an American Airlines mechanic with alleged links to ISIS in Iraq has been arrested for “tampering with an air data module system” on a 737-800. Although more interrogation will likely uncover his true motives, it’s believed at this time that he was a terrorist sympathizer and a disgruntled employee. Fortunately, the pilots caught the issue and returned to the gate before taking fl ight. Some argue that the threat to our transportation system has not diminished. I agree. It’s sad that terrorists have basically won the terror game to an extent. But some things are just what they are. I hope you all continue to
remember what happened on 9/11, and stay ever vigilant both at work and at home. The safety of our aviation transportation system and the future of our industry depend on everyone keeping an eye out for each other. Time may have passed, but it is no guarantee that our system is any less vulnerable. Stay safe and thanks for reading. Greg Napert, Proud to be an A&P
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DOMmagazine.com | oct 2019
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