Former NY Fed President William Dudley Recounts 9/11 Diversion and Canadian Hospitality

William Dudley, who previously served as the President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (a key regional bank within the U.S. central banking system, responsible for monetary policy implementation in its district and financial stability oversight), has shared a poignant personal account of his experience during the immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Dudley was aboard a commercial flight that was diverted due to the unprecedented nationwide ground stop implemented by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This measure, the first of its kind in U.S. aviation history, saw all civilian air traffic across the United States grounded for several hours, a drastic step taken to secure the nation's airspace in the wake of the coordinated attacks. His flight, unable to land in the United States due to the airspace closure, was rerouted to Gander International Airport in Saint John's, Newfoundland, Canada. Upon landing, passengers were not immediately allowed to disembark but remained on the aircraft for a period before being accommodated by the local community. Dudley recounted that passengers were ultimately housed, fed, and clothed by the residents of Newfoundland for a total of six days. He drew a significant parallel between his own experience and the acclaimed Broadway musical "Come From Away," a production that dramatizes the true story of the "come from aways" – the thousands of international travelers stranded in Newfoundland when their flights were diverted on 9/11. Dudley noted that the musical accurately captured the profound challenges, the initial uncertainty, and the remarkable human interactions that characterized the experience of these unexpected guests. He recalled the initial period of confusion and anxiety, exacerbated by the pilot's reluctance to fully explain the gravity of the situation until the plane had safely landed. Despite this uncertainty, Dudley emphasized the extraordinary generosity and kindness extended by the Canadian residents of Newfoundland. This act of compassion, he stated, provided a stark contrast to the horror of the attacks. The conversation also served as a solemn reflection on the tragedy of September 11th itself. Dudley paid tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the first responders – firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical personnel – who rushed into danger to save lives and assist victims in the devastated areas of New York City, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania. He observed that amidst the immense horror and devastation wrought by the attacks, the events of that day also revealed extraordinary acts of heroism, compassion, and kindness from ordinary citizens, underscoring the resilience of the human spirit. The experience in Newfoundland, he suggested, served as a powerful testament to the capacity for human resilience and mutual support in the face of unprecedented adversity. The interview, as reported by Bloomberg, aimed to remember and honor the victims and heroes of 9/11 by focusing on Dudley's personal narrative, highlighting the lasting impact of that day and the importance of recalling the collective response to the tragedy.