Please do remember to mention that while Gander became famous for it, they weren't the only place that took the frightened and confused in that day. Gander is rightfully famous, it was the most dramatic difference in population and I'm in no way trying to take that away from them! I just think the fact that they weren't alone speaks to the nature of the entire country.
How many people not directly involved know that planes landed across the entire country from east to west and accepted planes diverted north directly from the continenal US when they were trying to get every plane on the ground rtfn! (right the fuck now)
Gander wasn't the only international airport that the planes landed at. There were 17 Canadian airports they went to, including military ones. Look up Operation Yellow Ribbon.
Toronto Pearson International Airport, ON, 14 planes
Calgary International Airport, AB, 13 planes
Greater Moncton International Airport, NB, 10 planes
Montreal Mirabel International Airport, QC, 10 planes
Stephenville International Airport, NL, 13 planes
CFB Goose Bay, NL, 7 planes
Montreal Trudeau International Airport, QC, 7 planes
Edmonton International Airport, AB, 6 planes
Hamilton International Airport, ON, 4 planes
Whitehorse International Airport, YT, 2 planes
Deer Lake Airport, NL, 1 plane
Yellowknife Airport, NT, 1 plane
Total: 238 planes
If there weren't already customs officials stationed at said airports (and in many cases even if there was) they brought officials in to deal with all of these poor people who were diverted to our airports. It's why many of them had to stay on the planes so long in some cases. Because, of course, there were also worries about whether there were more threats.
Basically, though, if the runway was long enough to do so, the planes landed there and the government got the necessary officials to them. The important thing at the time was to get them down. Period.
I lived in Nova Scotia at the time this happened. I stayed awake all night because a frightened disabled lady was alone, no phone, just a laptop & I promised to keep emailing her. Through a newsletter I was publishing, members wrote in requests for lost family members, phones were down & no way for them to contact their family members & no way to know if they were dead or alive. I emailed the requests & oh so kind people went searching & some found our writers family members. That was a joyous thing. I am a Newfoundlander & proud Canadian. I flew to New York to see Come From Away, my friend, Jack, an actor, bought us tickets to attend on Broadway, house seats, tour of the set, meet the cast, it was awesome. Visiting Ground Zero I cried. This year is the 25th anniversary, so, now that my sister in law is here from Ontario, I have to book tickets for us :) I took my sister to see it last year, I told her she would laugh & she would cry, nah, I don't think so haha, she did laugh & she cried! If you haven't seen it, it is worth the time & expense to go. I am good friends with one of the cast, she asked me to add her to my facebook, but, when we got home, she had already added me haha. We had lunch together last summer just before an afternoon run. It really was a time when the whole world came together for good. Thanks Fred, this was an awesome post!!!!
This BCer believes it's not BC that is one of the most beautiful provinces but rather Quebec. I love the rich culture. Who needs to visit Europe? We wouldn't be a complete country without you.
The events of that September are a testament to what Canada stands for; good, old-fashioned decency. I am proud to be Canadian.
Your first "breaking out" column Fred. Congrats. Good topic.
Love it, great story to start with!
Please do remember to mention that while Gander became famous for it, they weren't the only place that took the frightened and confused in that day. Gander is rightfully famous, it was the most dramatic difference in population and I'm in no way trying to take that away from them! I just think the fact that they weren't alone speaks to the nature of the entire country.
How many people not directly involved know that planes landed across the entire country from east to west and accepted planes diverted north directly from the continenal US when they were trying to get every plane on the ground rtfn! (right the fuck now)
Only international airports could be accessed & Gander was the closest & safest.
Gander wasn't the only international airport that the planes landed at. There were 17 Canadian airports they went to, including military ones. Look up Operation Yellow Ribbon.
All I know is, it had to be international airports because of all the international flights
Halifax International Airport, NS, 47 planes
Gander International Airport, NL, 38 planes
Vancouver international Airport, BC, 34 planes
St. John's International Airport, NL, 21 planes
Winnipeg International Airport, MB, 15 planes
Toronto Pearson International Airport, ON, 14 planes
Calgary International Airport, AB, 13 planes
Greater Moncton International Airport, NB, 10 planes
Montreal Mirabel International Airport, QC, 10 planes
Stephenville International Airport, NL, 13 planes
CFB Goose Bay, NL, 7 planes
Montreal Trudeau International Airport, QC, 7 planes
Edmonton International Airport, AB, 6 planes
Hamilton International Airport, ON, 4 planes
Whitehorse International Airport, YT, 2 planes
Deer Lake Airport, NL, 1 plane
Yellowknife Airport, NT, 1 plane
Total: 238 planes
If there weren't already customs officials stationed at said airports (and in many cases even if there was) they brought officials in to deal with all of these poor people who were diverted to our airports. It's why many of them had to stay on the planes so long in some cases. Because, of course, there were also worries about whether there were more threats.
Basically, though, if the runway was long enough to do so, the planes landed there and the government got the necessary officials to them. The important thing at the time was to get them down. Period.
I lived in Nova Scotia at the time this happened. I stayed awake all night because a frightened disabled lady was alone, no phone, just a laptop & I promised to keep emailing her. Through a newsletter I was publishing, members wrote in requests for lost family members, phones were down & no way for them to contact their family members & no way to know if they were dead or alive. I emailed the requests & oh so kind people went searching & some found our writers family members. That was a joyous thing. I am a Newfoundlander & proud Canadian. I flew to New York to see Come From Away, my friend, Jack, an actor, bought us tickets to attend on Broadway, house seats, tour of the set, meet the cast, it was awesome. Visiting Ground Zero I cried. This year is the 25th anniversary, so, now that my sister in law is here from Ontario, I have to book tickets for us :) I took my sister to see it last year, I told her she would laugh & she would cry, nah, I don't think so haha, she did laugh & she cried! If you haven't seen it, it is worth the time & expense to go. I am good friends with one of the cast, she asked me to add her to my facebook, but, when we got home, she had already added me haha. We had lunch together last summer just before an afternoon run. It really was a time when the whole world came together for good. Thanks Fred, this was an awesome post!!!!
Great article, Fred! A good Canadian tale told accurately and not embellished. Keep it up. (And it’s a nice change from tariff news)
Proud to be a Canadian, but also a Proud French Quebecer that will always stand for and by Canada 😏😎👍
This BCer believes it's not BC that is one of the most beautiful provinces but rather Quebec. I love the rich culture. Who needs to visit Europe? We wouldn't be a complete country without you.
Great Topic Fred ! Alors less politics and more of what Canada really stands for 😁😉👍
Wow! The movie tells what the broadway musical doesn't tell, thanks Fred :) <3
A Bakery stayed open 24/7 to make sure there was enough fresh bread to feed everyone :) <3