Mum's Monday: Flight 93

This post is a tribute to all the lives that were lost on Tuesday September 11^th 2001

We are all aware of the tragic events that happened on ‘September 11^th 2001’. We know that the Twin Towers and the Pentagon were hit by hijacked aeroplanes.

We are also aware of the fourth plane that was hijacked, but due to the heroism of the passengers and crew Flight 93 failed to reach its unknown intended target.

There have been a few films made about the events on that day, mostly set around the Twin Towers in New York. I am aware of some and have a few on DVD. This one however, to me, was unknown until I found it on a shop shelf for sale.

I am glad this film was made as the heroism of the passengers and crew on Flight 93 should not go un noticed.

The film starts like any normal day, whether it be getting ready for work or a flight or both, as in a work trip.

The airport scenes are realistically done, security being a hive of activity. The scenes where they show the boarding cards are touching to see, as it shows that behind every boarding pass there is a person, human being and a life.

The attention to detail in this film is well done even down to the pre-flight checks carried out in the cockpit.

In one part, as in the late passenger running for the flight, this is not uncommon. I feel a mi of relief for him that he made the flight, but also a sense of sadness that he made the flight. We didn’t know at that time of the day how events were going to play out later on, on that day. Probably best we didn’t, and still don’t know what’s going to happen as we go through life each day since. What will be will be.

As the events on that day unfold the film is turning sinister and more and more people are becoming aware of what is happening.

Sadly, this film highlights that you should be wary until you know for sure, a crew member’s family was told that Flight 93 was fine, but as we now know you shouldn’t assume everything is safe.

It is good to see Thomas E. Burnett, Jr. (Christian Clemenson) get a message to his wife and it showed initiative on her part to call 911. I would, I hope, have done the same, although it is 999 here in the UK.

A mistake made by one of the hijackers, where he transmitted to the ground control instead of the passengers on the plane. In the case it is good to know that the people on the ground are now aware of the situation of Flight 93. Sadly, nothing can be done but the right people know.

Some of the film is guess work but from the calls that were made to families at home and others the outcome of the flight and the events on the plane can be pieced together. we know although sadly lives were lost, many more were inevitably saved.

It is nice that this film highlights the fact that although the flight attendants have a duty of care to the passengers they also have families at home.