On September 11, 2001, Canada launched Operation Yellow Ribbon in response to the terrorist attacks on the United States. The operation resulted in the diversion of between 225 and 240 civilian airline flights to 17 airports across the country, including Toronto Pearson Airport. I was a ramp agent on shift that day and, like many others, watched in shock as the first plane hit the World Trade Center on television. However, when the second plane hit, it became clear that this was not an accident but a deliberate act of terrorism. All airspace was shut down, except for the airports designated to receive the diverted flights.
As a ramp agent, it was my responsibility to park and secure the incoming aircraft at Toronto Pearson Airport. I remember the chaos and confusion as plane after plane began to arrive, some with passengers still on board. We had to act quickly and efficiently to ensure that each plane was safely parked and secured. We used our training and expertise to guide the planes into their designated parking spots, using a combination of hand signals and radio communications to direct the pilots.
Despite the fact that some of the planes were types I had never been trained on, we managed to safely park and secure each one. It was a challenging and stressful situation, but we worked together as a team to ensure that everything ran smoothly. We also had to help the passengers off the planes, many of whom were confused and scared, and make sure they had somewhere to go.
It was a tragic and unforgettable day, but I’m proud of how we, as a team, managed to handle the situation in a professional and efficient manner.
