Listening with your eyes 103 by Don Ford

            In this lesson we will briefly discuss Body language. 

            Parents have used it, without putting a name to it, for years.

Body language is especially helpful if you interview applicants, if you are a police officer, and lawyers use it all the time.

            You can also use body language to influence others. 

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There are several books on body language. You will need to study one or more and then practice to become proficient. You can use body language to know if someone is upset, lying, in disagreement, etc.  You may also be able to communicate more effectively when, “you”, use body language.

           

            Three quick examples, and there are many more;

One, Mom noticed that the top is off the cookie jar. Mom ask the child, “Did you get a cookie”? The child will not make eye contact with Mom, and most likely looks down saying, “no”. Mom instinctively knows, by their child’s body language, that they are not being truthful.

Two, Let’s say one is in a meeting with their manager. The manager is sitting across the table presenting a new process.

If one is leaning back in their chair during the presentation, they are indicating that they are not interested, or rejecting the idea.

If one moves their chair away from the table, looks at the ceiling, may smile; this would indicate disagreement.

If one leans forward with good eye contact, this indicates interest and possible acceptance of what is being presented. 

            Three, Let’s consider a person making a presentation to a group. Body language of those in

            the group should tell the presenter whether he / she has the attention of the group, and whether

            they are in agreement.

Also, the lecturer’s body language during the presentation will influence the audience’s attention level. Is the speaker reading word for word from notes or, is he / she making the presentation from the information that he / she has learned. Is the presenter holding on to the podium as if he / she were afraid or, moving around with an assertive posture (body language)?  

We have all used body language all of our lives, even though we may not have thought of it as a language.

Body language could help when interviewing applicants, investigating accidents and incidents, presentations and meetings, and general conversations. It can help to determine honest forthright responses. 

It can help in our dealing with staff in several ways.

 

First, we might be more apt to identify the truth or untruths.

Second, we may be able to get our points across, and have others better receive our message, by using the correct body language.

Third, we might be able to defuse a potentially aggressive or hostile situation by observing and presenting proper body language.

Forth, and possibly the most important is, by observing a person’s body language and listening to what is being said, we will be focusing on the person more during a conversation. This can lead to better communications.

Remember this; anyone can learn to use body language, a person who understands body language might use it to influence (fool) you.

Body Language is something we have known all our life, but may not have seen in print or even thought about.  Body language can be a helpful tool, but do not assume it is always correct or that you can correctly use it all the time. 

Get a book on body language, read it several times. You should find it very interesting, and when you use the information, it will improve communications both ways. 

Discussion?

Thank You     

Listening 102 by Don Ford

Introduction:

            Listening is not enough, if you do not get the complete information. You should understand, being in a leadership role you are dependent on subordinates to provide you with most information, regardless of where you are on the ladder.

                        Do you get reliable information?

                        Do you get complete information?

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            The most accurate information comes from the source. Your position may not allow you to always have access to the source. Thus, you must rely on subordinates to provide the information. This is where info may go astray.

            Let’s say you are a General Manager and one of your Department Managers came to you explaining, William has a concern.

The concern is presented to you, “William said, he was not happy with the placement of a new item, he says it is too difficult to reach”. You ask your Department Manager, “What is your opinion about the item placement”. The Manager says, “We didn’t have a lot of room and that location was open, you know William, he is always complaining about something”. With that information, you shrug your shoulders and take no action.

Here are some additional facts that you did not receive.

William, the worker in this story, does comment often about situations in the work area. These comments are often focused at making his work easier, faster and safer, which by the way is good for the company. 

The following is the complete statement that William presented to his Department Manager.        

William to the Manager, “did you see where they located the 50 pound box of nails? It is on the floor location, which makes it very difficult and unsafe, when we have to reach into the back of the location which is under the rack. It is heavy and should be moved to a location that will allow us to stand up when filling the order, making it easier and safer!”

The reason for this story is to point out, people in positions of authority often receive modified input. Modified is defined as, an intentional or unintentional editing of a complete statement.

What reasons could influence this communication malfunction?

Poor listening technique.       Failed to ask questions.          Was in a hurry.

Had something else on their mind.    Believed the employee to be a complainer.

What can we take from the above story line?

            Had William and his Department Manager received adequate safety training, both would have emphasized safety, when discussing that item.  

            The department manager did not listen properly to the comments from William. Are there reasons for not listening properly? Yes there are reasons for not listening, none of which are acceptable.

            The General Manager was also at fault. The GM could have asked for more details, should have recognized some prejudice by the Department Manager when he commented, “William is always complaining about something”.

Thought:

            Managers at all levels, should allot an amount of time from their busy work day to being in contact with, and communications with their subordinates. This would include in part, meetings with staff, walking through departments, thanking staff for safe work practices such as proper lifting etc., greeting staff, reviewing work flow, finding unsafe situations, security of property and staff.

All levels of management must rely on information from a team of subordinates. That makes it imperative they build, or rebuild, their team carefully! Review your team often! Gather information about your team and use it wisely.

Discussion:

Thank You     

Listening 101 by Don Ford

Introduction:

This short class about listening skills, will be nothing more than a reminder for some, it may be a new concept to others, and then there may be one who will believe this is a total waste of time.   

                In this session you will be provided with information as to;          

What is needed to develop good listening skills?

How you will develop good listening skills?

How to understand what is being told to you. 

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Let’s get started with what will be a major factor of developing good listening skills. Please note that we are not attempting to explain good communication skills, we are concentrating on, “listening skills”.

I can explain the key to being a good listener in one word, “Time”!

If you don’t have the time, or if you will not take the time, you will never be a good listener.

When confronted with the question, “do you have a minute”, you should understand this person has just came to you and wants your, “undivided attention for a period of time”. Do you have a minute almost always means more than a minute.

Determine whether this is an emergency situation, or if there is a safety concern. If not, and if you do not have the time, explain that you can’t meet now, can we set and appointment to meet… 

Always keep your appointment.

The next thing in learning to be a good listener is to, “shut up”.

Let the other person talk, keep your mouth closed except to ask for clarification!

Remember, you are listening to another person provide you with information!

Do not interrupt or attempt to interject your thoughts or opinions, unless the other person asks.

How do you develop good listening skills, “Practice”!

As with any skill, practice helps you develop that skill. A good place to practice is when you are with family or friends. Some may find it more difficult to listen to family or friends without interjecting their thoughts. It is likely, if you have not been a good listener with family members in the past, when you practice listening, your family will notice that you have changed.

Family will be likely to comment, something to the effect, “What’s going on, you are quieter than usual”, which will be your way of knowing that your listening skills are improving.

How to understand what is being told to you. No distractions.

Make appropriate eye contact with the person, but do not stare.

Do not look at your phone or other device! If you are the person who looked at the phone or other device, you are not listening.

Listening without understanding, is useless. Concentrating on what is being said, is the key to listening and understanding.

Brief questions to help you understand, are acceptable interruptions.

Do not present your thoughts unless asked. It is a good practice to ask for time to consider what you have just heard before responding. 

Making notes while someone is talking may help you remember what is said, but you should ask if it is ok and not a distraction to the other person.

Summary:           Take the time to listen, shut up, practice and no distractions.

Questions or Discussion?

Thank You

Flying for work 01.26.15

 

                For whatever reason, it came to mind that I had a couple odd experiences while flying for my employer. Why would I think about flying? It is simple, the airline sent me a notice that my frequent flyer miles will expire toward the end of February.

                Most of my travel experiences were actually nice, or at least they seemed that way to me.

                A new manager had been hired for the Oregon center and I was asked if I could be there just to help get him settled in. It was short notice but I said yes. When they booked my flight they could only get me a first class ticket. I, being willing to put up with these conditions, accepted the ticket. First class is nice, but it would have been better if I hadn’t needed to drive a couple hours after the flight. One cannot indulge in free adult beverages, if he has to drive at the end of the flight.

                The flight home was back in coach sitting shoulder to shoulder with common passengers. The lady sitting next to me noted that I had been on the Monday flight and I had been in first class. She said she remembered me because of the way I chew gum. Finding that interesting I ask, “how do I chew gum?” she replied, “aggressively, you really get after it”. I thought about it for a minute and I agreed.

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                The Portland Organ airport had the best oatmeal raisin cookie I have ever had. I was waiting on the plane and decided to get a cup of coffee. The lady behind the counter asked if I wanted a cookie. I asked what kind and she went through the short list. I took the oatmeal raisin cookie. The cookie and coffee were better that you know what. It made my day. I even told my spouse about the cookie. 

                I should note that on my next visit to the Portland airport they did not have the oatmeal raisin cookies. I was disappointed and depressed for several days!

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                I liked the Philadelphia airport because it had an area with stores more or less like being in a shopping mall. There were several eating establishments and there were rocking chairs that one could sit in and watch the world go by. I often enjoyed watching people go by, wondering who they were, what they did and where they were going.

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                There was this one trip to South Carolina, I would normally fly from Dallas direct to Columbia SC. The lady that normally made our reservations was on vacation so the president of the company’s assistant made the reservations for me. My flight was from Dallas to Memphis then to Columbia. I thought it was a little odd that I would fly through Memphis but I assume they were saving money and this was a cheaper route.

                I arrived in Memphis and went to the gate for the flight to Columbia. After a few minutes I decided to check with the desk because the flight number and time that was on my ticket did not match what was on the monitor.

                The nice lady explained that I was at the wrong gate and I should go to a gate that was way across the airport. She also noted that they were boarding at this time.

                I was then in a panic mode, not being familiar with this airport I was not sure where to go. I followed the signs and finally arrived at the gate. They rushed me onto the plane, I was the last to board and evidently they had been holding the plane for me.

                I quickly sat down and fastened the seat belt. The plane was smaller than I thought it should be, I guessed they were saving money.

                There was a nice looking lady sitting next to me and she commented that I almost missed the plane.

                The motors were started and the plane was taxiing, we were on our way. We received the presentation as to how to evacuate the plane in case if an emergency.

                Off the ground and in the air all was well until the pilot came on the PA system and welcomed us aboard. He said we would be flying at 28,000 feet and would arrive in Columbia, Missouri in one hour. 

                What?!

I reached for my ticket to see where I was supposed to be going. It clearly stated Columbia Missouri. I told the lady next to me I was supposed to be going to Columbia, South Carolina, not Columbia Missouri.

This lady said I should tell the stewardess. I asked why, she can’t do anything, my ticket is for Missouri and not South Carolina.

She commented, “You are taking this very calmly, I would be in panic mode if it were me.”  I explained that I would get another flight to South Carolina when we landed in Missouri.

                Landing in Missouri I immediately called the home office to get a new flight. There was no other flight in or out of this small airport today. They got me a rental car and a hotel room for the night. I was booked on a flight the next day which took me back to Memphis and then on to Columbia SC, a day late and a dollar short.

                From this ill-fated trip on, I checked the destinations on my tickets before I began any trip.

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                During another adventure, I was on my way home and had arrived at the Dallas airport. I was scheduled on the last flight from Dallas to Waco. The flight was postponed a couple times and then finally canceled. I do not remember the reason but they would not provide us with rooms. They rebooked me on the flight for the next day.

Myself and a couple other men was discussing this and decided it was a two hour drive to Waco and we were going to get a one way rental car and split the cost. Guess what, none of the rental companies would give us a one way rental.

More discussion followed and we decided to see what a taxi would cost. We were told the taxi would cost $210.00. If we split the cost three ways it would be $70.00 each and that was less than a hotel room for the night.

We decided to take the taxi. I unfortunately got the front seat with the driver. This taxi had not been cleaned in a long time and I had very little room in the front seat. Also the driver may not have taken a shower for a couple weeks.

The drive seemed to last forever, we arrived at Waco airport about 1:30am and each of us paid the driver $70.00.  I don’t know about the other passengers but I did not tip this stinky driver.

 

When traveling, check your tickets and have fun!

 

Don Ford

 

Have a successful opening

 

When opening a new warehouse, distribution center, service center, or similar business, there are a few common since guide lines that should be followed. 

If you have existing center/s that function as expected, you would be wise to use the proven processes, while only incorporating new systems or procedures that will enhance the tried and true. Consultants can be helpful but remember, they are salesmen, there to make money for themselves and their vendors.         

Select the management team from people that have been involved in the process previously. If you can’t do this, there must be an experienced management team, working with (embedded) during the entire start up, to work with (influence, direct, and manage) a new or fairly new center manager. The new manager could seem to be in charge, but in reality he / she would be learning processes and procedures.

                There is always need for new blood in any organization, but the new blood is not to change everything. Instead the new blood is to carefully blend new ideas and concepts with the tried, true and time tested methods, when approved by those who understand, the new and tried methods. 

The Management team must be compatible, they must be able to work together without fear that they will say or do something that the other could not deal with. 

It is best if the manager and senior supervisor have worked together prior to this assignment and are also compatible. 

Management team must be able to discuss their thoughts, ideas and disagreements, but after these discussions, be in agreement on the entire process.

Management team must have a complete understanding of the processes, training and expectations prior to being assigned. 

Management team must have clear and open communications between all.

The management team must be able to communicate with upper management, without fear or without feeling that they are in the presence of someone special.  

Picking the right people for the new Center is a very important key to success. Do not consider race, sex, national origin or any of those politically correct topics. Pick the best people from your candidates and you will without prejudice have a balanced crew.

This very much applies to those who do the initial review of the applications. You could easily have a person reviewing the applications and this person could have a prejudice. Be sure that those who are reviewing applications and interviewing candidates are looking for great workers and not a certain race, sex, national origin or other politically correct category. Just because someone works in HR does not remove the possibility of prejudice.

Equally or more important in a successful opening is the training of new staff. The instructor must understand his subject and present it clearly and professionally.

Candid new staff reviews and evaluations, are very important in retaining only the best.

It sounds so simple, but putting it all together takes some imagination, planning and the ability to, “inspect what you expect”.

The inspection of your expectations applies to every level from the C.O.O. to the newest supervisor. You don’t just ask how things are going, you actually review what you are responsible for.

If you do not know how to review a process, procedure, a program then ask for help, don’t wait. Asking for help indicates that you care, and may save untold hours of reworking. 

Part of the, “inspect what you expect” concept, can be as simple as listening to and understanding what others are saying. In many situations there are people who are aware of concerns with a new start up but no one asks them for their input. Worse than that, those who could help are told thanks for your input but we have this.

I believe a review of the entire process should be held after a successful or less than successful opening of a center. What went right and what did not. What information was available that we did not ask for or listen too? How did we gather information and ideas that helped in the opening? Then use this information when it is time to open a new center or remodel and old center. 

 

                In summary:

Chose an experienced manager and senior supervisor;

Hire only the best candidates;

Proper training for all staff;

Candid reviews of new staff, keeping only the best;

Inspect what you expect, at all levels.

 

Don Ford                                            

 

 

Sleds in Waco 12.17.14

 

                This old work memory occurred at the Waco Center, way back in the early 80s. As I began to relate this story, I found it necessary to expand the accounting back to late 1978, at the now decommissioned, Cape Girardeau Center.   As with many of my stories, it is true.

The Waco Distribution Center had finally been completed and the inbound freight was coming in. (In those days the buildings were called Distribution Centers, because we stocked and distributed merchandise to the Coop. stores. Now these buildings are called Retail Service Centers, they still distribute merchandise to the Coop. stores.)

                Our Waco team had been involved, not in the construction but in the detailing of the entire center. When I say detailing, I am talking about placing location tags, on all the home locations so we would be able to properly place each of 32,000 items when they arrived. Our team also verified that the home locations were the correct size. There were other tags and signs such as, overstock location numbers, aisle, section and direction of travel signs.

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                Let me back pedal a little to provide a little history which may help you understand the process. In 1978 I was a supervisor at the Cape Girardeau D/C. I was approached by upper management and asked if I would consider moving to Waco Texas for the opening of the new Distribution Center. This Center was in the final planning stage at this time.  Upper management then approached Lonnie and asked if he would also move to Waco for the opening of this Center. We both received approval from our wives to the move, and that is when our work began.

                Lonnie and I were not responsible for deciding what departments would go where in the new Waco Center, but we were responsible for locating each of the 32,000 plus SKUs (SKU = Stock Keeping Units, these centers have double that amount of SKUs now).

The Waco center was going to be 300,000 sq. ft. in size. Lonnie and I started the process of locating the SKUs alone in what was a large closet above the Cape office (this paperwork was also known to us who were doing the work as drawings). After a couple weeks we began to get additional help from staff at the Cape center and moved the work into a meeting room.  

                Each item that we located on the drawings also had to be written up on a location change form. Even though we weren’t changing locations we were making new locations and these had to be entered into the computer system.

There were also discontinued items, and new items that had to be added to or taken from these drawings. When a new item was to be added, let’s say a hammer, we would need to find where we had place the other hammers from this vendor, and then locate the new item with the similar items. That was a time consuming part of the process and occasionally there did not seem to be room for the SKU. 

                The computer would generate location tags. We had a folder for each side of each aisle in the Center, there were well over 1,000 location folders. The location tags were placed in each folder along with the location change forms and the drawing for that side of that aisle.

Lonnie and I were asked to decide whether we wanted a Tow Line in the Waco Center, or not. A Tow Line is an electric motor driven chain, that is in a slot in the cement floor and the carts would attach to the chain and be pulled around the building. Everywhere the tow line went, and all the diverters, took a 6 foot wide aisle. There would be diverters strategically located in various areas, allowing the carts to automatically divert from the main track to stocking, receiving or shipping locations. The area of the main track and the diverters could not be used for anything other than Tow Line Carts. 

Lonnie and I had worked with the tow line at Cape, we decided that we did not want it at Waco, as it took up too much room.

Side note: The tow line was very powerful. I have seen it push a 5,000 pound fork lift sideways and not even strain. The diverters had a safety switch, that when the diverter was full of carts, it would not allow other carts to divert.

It was an accepted practice to allow the tow line to continue to run during breaks and lunch. On one occasion at the Cape center, a couple carts were placed off the track on a diverter area but not properly, so the switch did not shut the diverter off. When we returned from break several carts had diverted on to this area and had pushed the incorrectly placed carts into a section of 15 foot tall rack. These racks were bolted to the floor and they were literally knocked down.

Lonnie and I determined what the work flow was going to be at Waco. We would literally look at the overall drawing of the building which had rack, aisles, cross aisles, rest rooms, offices, shipping doors and receiving doors.

One of us would imagine that we were doing a particular job, and with our finger on the drawing, talk about the flow of the work while the other person looked for correctness, or flaws in our work. We were in complete agreement on the work flow for the new Waco Center before either of us moved from Cape.

Lonnie and I were in such close agreement, that on occasion a staff member at Waco would ask one of us a question, then later ask the other the same question. We were told that we answered the same way and often with the same words and expressions.

Lonnie and I put 6 months in the planning of the new center. There were many other items that we address during this process such as fork lifts, tuggers, office furniture, and file cabinets along with break room furniture. We made plans for the training that staff would need.

I moved to Waco Texas June of 1979 and Lonnie moved a month later.

I have made this almost sound as if it was all Lonnie and my doing but it wasn’t, we followed directions from the Home office and had support from many people throughout HWI.  There were many teams who were all working as a larger team to successfully open the Waco Center.

Now that I look back on this, HWI may have taken a chance on two fairly new, somewhat experienced supervisors to open a new Distribution Center. Yes we had both been involved in the startup of the Cape Center, and I believe more importantly, we were in complete agreement of what we were going to accomplish at the Waco center.

If you are going to open a new center select your management team from people that have been involved in the process previously. Management team must be compatible. Management team must be able to discuss their thoughts, ideas, disagreements, but after these discussions, be in agreement on the entire process.

 

The history lesson is over, back to the story.

                The Waco Team were in the process of stocking the building with six million dollars of merchandise. As you might imagine the truck loads were relentless. The team was unloading, checking, hauling and stocking the product like they had done this for years. 

One particular shipment was of sleds. The lady who was checking them in stopped me as I was walking through receiving and said, “We got some sleds in”!  I said, “Good”, to which she commented, “I had never seen a real sled, in real life before”. 

I was amazed that a woman who was 40 years old, had not seen a sled. It doesn’t snow very often in Waco and when it does it is most often a dusting.  Probably only transplants from states that have snow, would be likely to have a sled.

Along the same subject, a few years later it snowed while we were at work. There was probably 2 inches of snow on the ground (nothing on the pavement) when an employee came to me and asked if they could take a sled from stock, and during lunch go outside to slide down the small hill in front of work (the hill was maybe 30 feet long). I was surprised that there were adults who wanted to slide on a sled for the first time.

Yes they were allowed to get a sled for warehouse use.

                Lonnie was consulted on this article.

Don Ford

 

 

September 11, 2001 by Don Ford

 

                I am sure everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing on Tuesday, September 11^th, 2001.

                A friend suggested I might consider putting my memories of that date and the following days, in an article and post it to the blog.

                It should be understood, I was in New York State but not in New York City.

                I was working at the Do it Best Corp’s Service Center, in Montgomery New York, as interim manager.

Montgomery N. Y. is probably best known for Orange County Choppers, they make chopper motorcycles and had a TV show for a while.

As I am sure most would say, that day seemed to be just like any other day until…

I learned of the attack when a supervisor came into the manager’s office and said, “A plane has crashed into the world trade center”.

                To be totally honest, I had no idea what the world trade center was, until that day, never having been in the City of New York.

One of the supervisors had received a call telling him what had happened saying, that is all that’s on the TV.  

                Shocked by such an event, we wanted to see what was happening. I asked where the TV was located. They did not have a TV in the office or break room.  I knew we stocked some portable TVs so I asked the supervisor to get one out of stock quickly and set it in the break room so everyone can see it during break.

                Not having a TV meant they did not have cable either. We attempted to watch this portable TV with rabbit ears for an antenna. The picture was poor but we could see some of what was happening. I remember as most of us were watching and listening to the announcer, there was little if any conversation in the break room.

                They had a radio in the office which was providing additional information.

Two planes had flown into the world trade center buildings. We now knew these were terrorist attacks. We had also learned there was a third plane that evidently had been hijacked, and they were not sure where it was.

I briefly thought, our building is large, what would we do if the plane decided to crash into it. There was nothing we could do, other than evacuate. If we had no advanced notice that a plane was heading our way we could do nothing preemptive.

Some of the staff members had friends or relatives who worked in those buildings. I remember a couple people asked if they could leave and try to find out if their families were ok.  

The FAA was grounding all flights. Those that were already in the air were instructed to land immediately.

We learned somewhat later that the third plane had crashed in a field with no survivors.

Considering all the tragic events unfolding during the day, the staff at the Montgomery center somehow were able to complete that day’s work. I would say they all should be commended for their ability to stay somewhat focused on their work during that day, and the following days. 

All flights were canceled meaning no civilian planes were flying anywhere and they were not saying when they would be allowed to fly again. This meant all travelers (including me) that were relying on flying to their home destination, were just out of luck.

There was a message sent to DIB travelers stating something to the effect, if you are traveling for the company and have a rental car, you should keep your rental car, do not turn it in. You may be required to drive home.

The rental car I had was a full size boat of a car. Even though the company rented smaller vehicles, occasionally the rental company would be out of the size you had requested and you would get something larger. If I were to need to drive home, it would be a long drive but it would be comfortable.

The New York State police were marshaling in the Stewart / Newburgh area, which is just a few miles from Montgomery and where my hotel was. The state police were gathering here before being dispatched to New York City. It was amazing the number of state police vehicles you would see on the roads. There were literally hundreds of state police vehicles in the area. One evening as I was driving to the hotel there were at least five state police cars in front of me and more than that behind me, while there were others driving on the opposite side of the highway. I felt as if I was the misfit in a parade of police vehicles.

Authorities were considering all terrorist possibilities even to the point of having guards stationed at area water reservoirs.  

Unfortunately, during this time of turmoil, one employee pushed another employee which subjects him to termination. After all the necessary calls to the HR department it was decided to terminate this person. During the time this decision was being made, another staff member told me this person had said, “If they think they are going to terminate me they better have the police here”.  

                Being a person who likes to accommodate the wishes of others, I called the police and explained the situation. They explained that they were very busy, but they would send someone over when we were ready to terminate. I explained that we were ready now. In just a few minutes the officer arrived. I remember this officer as, “a walking mountain”, he was big and strong.

We called the employee to the office. When he arrived, the officer walked up to him, got in the employees face and said, this man has something to tell you, sit down and listen.

The officer turned to me and said go ahead. When I finished, the officer got back in this person’s face again and asked, “Do you understand what this man has told you, will I need to come back? The person replied I understand and you will not need to come back. 

After several days there were a few flights taking to the air. The airport at Stewart where I normally would fly into and out of, was still closed.

I received a call from the home office with instructions to go to the Stewart airport the next morning. When I went to return the rental car there was instructions on the closed gate to take the car several blocks away from the airport. A rental car employee brought me back to the airport.

There was an airport employee who met me and another lady outside the building. We were put in a taxi that drove us to an airport near White Planes N.Y.

I should not have been surprised at the amount of security present. We went through a police road block in which the officer looked through the taxi and the trunk before allowing us to get close to the airport. The two of us got out of the taxi and went into the airport to check in. I checked my suit case for the flight home and they opened it to be sure there was no bombs or weapons.

I always carry a pocket knife and have done so since I was in the third grade. When I flew, I would put the knife in the suit case and check the bag. The fellow opened my bag and saw the knife. He immediately called his supervisor and a police officer to see what he found. They looked at the knife (it wasn’t a small pocket knife) and then looked at me. I said, the bag is checked, is there a problem? As soon as they realized it was a checked bag, they shut it and patted me down, just to be sure I had no other knives and then let me go through security.

There weren’t many travelers in the airport, I assume only people trying to get back home were flying. As I remember it, there was as many, if not more, uniformed officers and soldiers in the airport as there were civilian travelers.

The flight from White Planes to an airport just outside New York City (I can’t remember which airport it was) was very short. As we were beginning to descend to the airport I looked out the window to see the New York sky line, and I thought I might see the remains of the two buildings. I did not see the destruction, what I did see was a military jet plane flying on the right side of our plane. It was a little unsettling to know that he was there to keep our plane away from flying into a building.

We landed safely, I along with the other passengers went into the airport. I found my gate and took a seat. There were National Guard Soldiers and police carrying guns throughout the building. There was no one talking, very little noise of any type, everyone was very sober acting. I sat in my seat the entire time without saying a word.

I am here to tell you, I was more than happy when we boarded the plane heading away from New York. My flight took me through another airport but I can’t remember if it was Philadelphia or Chicago. I can say I was much happier when we were descending to the Dallas airport. All the flights that I took that day were late starting and arriving.

Arriving at the Dallas airport I saw extra security and even though they were on high alert the atmosphere was not as intimidating as the New York air ports.

The flight from Dallas to Waco which only takes about 25 minutes left Dallas after midnight. I arrived in Waco about 1:00am on a Sunday morning. My wife met me at the Waco airport. 

Arriving this late, or early, however you want to look at it, I missed the annual profit sharing meeting. This was the first profit sharing meeting that I had missed during my employment at DIB. I was to receive a service award for thirty years of employment (a ring) at that meeting. My wife accepted the award for me, but it would have been nicer if I could have made it home in time to accept the ring for myself.

                                  

Those are my memories of September 11^th, 2001.

 

 

Don Ford