Jacqueline Arreola Reflects on 9/11 and How it Influenced her Career Choice in the Aviation Sector
Document Type
Personal Reflection
What were you doing on 9/11? (Or, What was your interviewee doing on 9/11?)
On September 11, 2001, I was 5 years old and heading to Kindergarten when the news first broke out about the twin towers. We talked about the events at school and placed American flags all around the schoolyard. My dad worked at SFO for United Airlines, and my mom was constantly trying to check in with him as no one knew if any more attacks would continue through the day on or around other aircraft. My family was very worried for a while after that, and it was the first time I ever experienced a tragic event. I remember it vividly to this day.
How did 9/11 affect you personally and or professionally?
September 11, 2001, has impacted my life in many ways. My dad was a United Airlines employee for 30 years, and at the time of 9/11 everything changed for him. He was in the middle of transferring to a new airport as we were moving, and that was all put on hold due to the situation of UA and all US carriers. He waited several years for his transfer to come and he commuted to us once or twice a month because the airlines suffered a tremendous loss that was felt for a very long time. Professionally, it was an event that opened my eyes to aviation. I always knew my career would be in this field, but learning about the impact of 9/11 and how it shifted our industry lead me to pick the Aviation Safety sector. I majored in this at ERAU and am currently working in the Safety department of a US charter airline for the DOD. I want to ensure any flight I’m involved in can have the safest outcome possible, and take all and any necessary precautions to avoid such a terrible event from occurring again.
On 9/11, what sector were you (OR your interviewee) in?
Airlines, Not a pilot
Event Location
Jacqueline Arreola Reflects on 9/11 and How it Influenced her Career Choice in the Aviation Sector
September 11, 2001, has impacted my life in many ways. My dad was a United Airlines employee for 30 years, and at the time of 9/11 everything changed for him. He was in the middle of transferring to a new airport as we were moving, and that was all put on hold due to the situation of UA and all US carriers. He waited several years for his transfer to come and he commuted to us once or twice a month because the airlines suffered a tremendous loss that was felt for a very long time. Professionally, it was an event that opened my eyes to aviation. I always knew my career would be in this field, but learning about the impact of 9/11 and how it shifted our industry lead me to pick the Aviation Safety sector. I majored in this at ERAU and am currently working in the Safety department of a US charter airline for the DOD. I want to ensure any flight I’m involved in can have the safest outcome possible, and take all and any necessary precautions to avoid such a terrible event from occurring again.
