Mike Tuohey was the ticket agent at Portland International Jetport on September 11, 2001.

[@jdtractorman7445]

It wasn't your fault, Mike. You refused them the one step check in process, so they had to go through security again at Boston airport. You are right too that the rule the FAA put in place bypassing security at the next airport is completely absurd. The only people to blame are bin laden and those 19 hijackers. Mike, you are great guy and remind me of my grandfather, I could sit and listen to your stories all afternoon.

[@marianneshaddrix9431]

💯 Tractor Man. It was not his fault. He did the one thing he could have done at the time. Woulda-coulda-shoulda ruminations are so destructive and unhealthy. I hope he's come to peace with his actions that day. ❤

[@MrBrimmer]

You’re absolutely right, the intelligence community 100% let the terrorists do this.

[@HomeAtLast501]

It's just sad that he believes that the social shaming pressures of the politically correct manipulation movement prevented him from taking real action.

[@moibe182]

Bin Laden doesn’t even exist.

[@ivywoodxrecords]

What about Dick Cheney.

[@namj8145]

What a great guy he seems to be. Even without the 9/11 connection, very easy to listen to and likable. You end up wishing every neighbor you know was like him.

[@charlieroney1008]

thats how people in Maine are.

[@evomink]

Love this guy. Good for him.

[@amazonhippie7826]

@@charlieroney1008People in a state or region are not all the same. I’m sure there are plenty of douches in Maine. Just like every other place.

[@andybillnewstime]

Agreed! Only 1.5k people dead under his watch!

[@MurrayJoe]

@@andybillnewstimeit wasn’t his fault, they should have picked them up when they were taking flying lessons and not wanting to learn how to land, they should have flagged anyone taking photos around the World Trade centre, and let’s not forget they pilots let them into the cockpits.

[@sarahstoll6577]

Oh. ❤ I was a UA ticket agent for 5 years, starting in 2000. Jason Dahl, captain of flight 93, was a family friend. I was able to talk with the UA agent out of EWR that checked in some of the terrorists there. I have since become a private pilot, a firefighter, and have been working as a paramedic for 15 years now. I just want to give this man the biggest hug and tell him there is NO way he could have done any better. I remember mornings at the ticket counter just like he described…aside from the terrorists, of course. His description of the job when he first got into it was glorious. ❤ Sending love.

[@djholliday5132]

Thank you for you service as a First Responder. 🇺🇸

[@johnmcclean343]

Sarah , we might have encountered one another. Jason was a colleague and neighbor just outside of Denver.

[@drpeterjamessmith]

I am so sorry about your friend, Captain Dahl. My cousin used to be a Captain for American and was flying that day. We were concerned, and I called the AA hotline and told them my concerns and said that all I needed to know was if either jet had taken off from Philly, and they said no. So I knew he was safe. He only was flying from Philly to LAX at the time.

[@rca6576]

From one first responder family (paramedic) to another. Thank you for. your service. Paramedics often don't get the recognition others do and you should. I appreciate you and all you do for your community.

[@nickfuller20]

People were a lot nicer and more trustworthy in the 70s and 80s. You could hitchhike and do business with a handshake and your word. Not anymore!

[@robyn280]

This was such a beautiful interview. He seems like such a great guy and it’s sad that he blames himself because honestly this was out of his control and not his fault

[@bfinera]

💯

[@jbdixon4020]

not only that, but he actually pulled that 1-step check-in away from them forcing them to check in with AA. still, nothing could be done

[@sambistabeauty]

What happened with the shaky camera & audio at 35:00???

[@zimjun7]

My friend and were going on a tugboat ride in 2004. And we saw him on that boat. I thought he looked familiar. ( Oprah had interviewed him. ) He kind of circumvented me in a nice way, smiled. Then I figured it. My point is, is I poignantly told him that he had no WAY of knowing that those 2 were trouble. This was in Maine. It was an experience. That whole year in 2001 was.

[@MothGirl007]

@@jbdixon4020 I think that was brilliant of him and really the only thing he could do under the rules that existed back then.

[@GLING17]

This man was near tears when he told about how after the planes crashed he knew right away that his feelings about these guys being terrorists was true. I can tell he feels great guilt about having checked them in but he was only doing his job. There is no way he could have known what was to come. I hope he can be at peace with himself one day. This was not his fault at all.

[@jcjc8889]

but he did know, he ignored his gut

[@heathermitchell7191]

@@jcjc8889but no proof. He would have been called a racist. What more could he have done? They didn’t have anything illegal on them. You can’t just deny people because of a gut feeling.

[@-Always_Right-]

​@heathermitchell7191 Exactly, it wouldn't have mattered anyway. In many other countries, those guys would have been taken to a room and looked at with a fine toothed comb..Our rights and freedoms in America are a double edge sword

[@eh1702]

In the early 90s, coming from Europe and using JFK, O’Hare and some midwestern airports, I was stunned at the lack of security. This man’s job was to check people in, not check them out. There were many people in different agencies whose job that was, and others who should have had jobs (which didn’t exist), checking those guys out. In Europe, the questions on his list were always asked by airport security - not ticket agents.

[@Larry26-f1w]

@@jcjc8889I ignored the fact that ninety percent of the bodies were not recovered at Ground Zero , then I threw up and felt better and remembered this isn’t possible in a building collapse .

[@patrickclapp4082]

you can tell he remembers every single detail about this day because he has probably relived it in his mind thousands of times over.

[@zendrive]

Well said, I've always wondered how some people can recall such detail (about any event, not just this one), but you're exactly right.

[@Larry26-f1w]

Boy you can read minds Planter?

[@SurprisedFireflies-ik4kt]

​@@zendrive PTSD can do that to you I suppose

[@imajeepster]

that's normal, like you rerun it and think of the one thing you could have done. But if anything, this story provides us with a lot of information.....about clues, about what to look for, what to do differently. He wasn't clueless, he sensed something was a bit off. Maybe someone else wouldn't have even noticed some of the things he did.

[@demonhalo67]

9/11 was a sophisticated operation that had been in the planning since the late 90's. If Tuoney had stopped them I doubt it would have made much difference, the terrorist attacks of 9/11 would have been aborted for that day and they would have simply re-routed and plotted new airlines on another day further down the line. Only intelligence could have stopped the attacks that day, and the CIA failed the nation. It might be of extra comfort to Tuoney that 3 other airline clerks also permitted hijackers on board 175,93 and 77 to take off. You can't just act on impulse, you need more and as he said, the men had everything in order. Not to blame whatsoever.

[@Augfordpdoggie]

the intelligence community did 9/11, they have no intention in protecting people

[@Uhopbands1]

I agree

[@brandonlaba4248]

Mike, if you see this, I hope you hold no guilt on yourself. As far as I'm concerned, you did your job that day by preventing the one-step check-in. God bless.

[@MartineReed]

What else could he have done. I question whether it actually was Atta on that plane. Seems as though he could have been replaced by someone else in BOS. Someone wearing just a dress shirt through the airport…

[@steve998]

@@MartineReed of course it was Atta.

[@MartineReed]

@@steve998 Where is the proof? He flew from Portland, ME to BOS, insisting that thst he get his board pass all the way through. He got agitated about it. Why?

[@wormhole331]

⁠@@MartineReed he got agitated about it because the one step boarding pass would allow him to completely skip security in Boston so there’s a lesser chance of things going wrong for him to get in that plane. Without it he had to go through security in Boston but he got through no problem. He was on that plane.

[@MartineReed]

@@wormhole331 There are photos of both of them going through security at BOS, but no photos or videos of them at the gate or boarding.

[@stephaniels5421]

I hope the devil met ‘ol Atta at the gates of hell and said, “You were promised a one-step check in, this way, sir!”.

[@geraldo209]

Spot on steph!

[@A.M.E-K-87-10]

You mean George W bush and all the criminals who brought evil to the world?

[@drizzyfest6285]

Same with 'ol Tuohey for checking him in.

[@greengirlsgolfcaddies6121]

I can't believe this happened....they destroyed America and killed our be beautiful people

[@raraparuka]

TO reward Atta in a devious way , here is hoping Atta got 72 gay guys instead of virgins from the devil..

[@mightysprocket]

Mike is a national treasure, holding onto values of hard working Americans.

[@steve998]

I worked in the airline industry for thirty years. Latterly, we were told at routine training if we ever, EVER had a ‘gut feeling’ about anything or anyone, to immediately report it. I salute this man. And boy, does he have their number with his comments on security getting lax. I just want to hug him, getting visibly upset, mouthing along with the lady questioning him…..what a Lovely guy, and that day, you were doing your job. Your mom was right. It wasn’t your fault. I glad you’ve been able to let it go.

[@mirrage42]

Why do you salute him? He ignored his gut feelings, letting through mass murderers.

[@lisafranklin9089]

My goodness, what an incredible interview! I have so respect for this man. That don't make them like this anymore💗👋🏼

[@seanodonnell6947]

hes good old stock , millennials would be in fear of him , older generation would be in awe

[@sweetiepielarae]

@@seanodonnell6947 I'm a Millennial, and I think he seems lovely.

[@Cultofpersonality09129]

@@seanodonnell6947take your meds 🤡

[@bramlintrent1145]

I picked up a friend from the airport shortly after flights resumed post-9/11. Must have been about 9/15. I'm not Arabic, but I do have certain Arabic features, and I was a young male. A security guard fell into step behind me as I walked from the parking lot to the terminal. I'd walk faster, and he would walk faster. I would slow down, and he would slow down. It quickly became obvious that he had "targeted me" and was deliberately following me because of my appearance. I finally just turned around and looked at him and smiled. He smiled back. I told him, "I'm picking up a passenger. I'm not planning to board an aircraft." He laughed and said, "I hope I'm not pissing you off." I said, "No, you're doing your job. Please keep following me. I feel safer with you right behind me!" lol. It was truly a nerve-racking time for everyone. That SHOULD have been annoying, but at the time it definitely was not annoying.

[@deborahbergman3566]

same happened to me as a 29 year old woman .... they would chat me up and I totally went along with it. But one dude did rile my nerves when I was in a hurry. I just said, "Promise you I hate these extremists more than you do ..and my Turkish mom is a Conservative who watches Fox..." He lol and said what makes you think I'm "casing" you. I said do what you gotta do...but I'm innocent!

[@MothGirl007]

I'm sorry that happened to you, but you handled it super well.

[@julieann4616]

@@MothGirl007ditto ❤

[@mrs.c5471]

I know we shouldn't profile, but I must admit, when we finally got our flight out on 9/16 I sat across the aisle toward the back of the plane from a Arab looking single man sitting all by himself in the row. And he kept taking a wallet out of his backpack and looking at it, then he would go to the bathroom, then come back look out the window for awhile then lean down and read what I thought was a Bible or something, but it was the wallet that set my alarms off, he kept pulling it out and looking through it, like he was familiarizing himself with the contents. Anyway, I told my husband to get ready, because if he tried anything I was going to do my best to stop him! I'm Scots, and am known to go berserker at times! Nothing happened. He was just very quiet and kept to himself, probably because of what happened. At least that's what I told myself, he was a good guy just a little nervous.

[@bunglejoy3645]

For years I font travel on buses now but even prior yo mum dyeing in 2014 and up to coming here in 2018 ive been nervous of buses what's feared me if someone of non English description got on a bus stood at front with a rucksack on their back I was on edge ashamedly partly because of job centre incident partly unknown yo me my severe mental health issues because theres only one door on a bus

[@kathleenhurd205]

Listening to so many different stories of that day puts more value and value to September 11, 2001. Thank you sir for your memories. Wonderful interview!

[@chem3066]

I love this guy he’s so genuine- back in the day when people really did their jobs

[@Stolimel]

He wanted to be a cop and those cop instincts were correct.

[@aspenmgy]

People do their jobs today. What the hell are you talking about.

[@pinkpugginz]

People do their jobs now.

[@lulapetry8133]

He got me..........when his mother comforted him. He's a true American. Hats off to you sir, you did fine.

[@ukwhitewitch]

Hamm..I am a 'True Englishwoman'...I think you mean a true,good human

[@mvane6880]

The way his mother supported and comforted him. It shows she raised her son into a fine honorable man. They understands life.

[@angelabeatty6538]

And she came at once! Nothing was going to stop her❤❤❤❤

[@DarlingEbony]

Notice his humanity! His first thought was how he felt bad for the guys. THEN he went back to his original thought about them being the terrorists. He felt bad for them at first. That really hit me hard. I hope he knows this is not his fault. Had he said anything about his gut feeling he would have been accused of profiling. There was nothing he could do.

[@stephaniels5421]

Wow, a great interview from a new perspective. I can’t imagine the way this poor man felt when he put it together that he’d crossed such recent paths with the terrorists. Nothing you could’ve done, my friend.

[@erestube]

Came for 9/11. Stayed for his comments on how people have changed. Sir, you have turned your experience into a positive and I thank you.

[@stevenc.5732]

nothing positive about it. he just learned how to deal with it.

[@kawaibakaneko]

​@@stevenc.5732Resilience is a positive thing, other might have taken their own life because of the guilt

[@FLT111]

Excellent interview. Respect to you Mr Tuohey... you were just doing your job, you should not have any guilt.

[@BrianSEPT11]

NO TIME-STAMPED VIDEO OF ANY TERRORISTS AT ANY AIRPORT RELATED TO 9/11 NO PLANE THAT DEPARTED FROM PORTLAND WAS INVOLVED IN 9/11

[@tiffprendergast]

Yeah

[@BrianSEPT11]

@@tiffprendergast YEAH????

[@MrAnythingForSelenas]

If it wasn't that day it sure as hell would have been some other day. Nothing could have been done to prevent it. It was going to happen one way or the other.

[@seanodonnell6947]

@@MrAnythingForSelenas thats true

[@choogiebabbbbayyyy]

I could listen to this interview three times a day, every day a week. Would love to see more from him.

[@TheBobbymcd]

i can hardly hear the interviewer

[@kathyr.8135]

A terrorist attack is coming soon as so many jails have been releasing their worst prisoners.

[@denniseverett1904]

We all know why Mohammed Atta was pissed about having to go through the security check again, thinking a small chance his evil Suicide mission could be foiled.

[@zerosoma33]

I truly believe he felt the world revolved around him and such an inconvenience was the most absurd thing on the world.

[@QuicK-SiLver]

Mohamed Atta was a dedicated soldier & Pure EviL. Not possible to stop that. Rest in Peace to all the victims 🇺🇲 Never Forget 🇺🇲

[@kathyr.8135]

He is in Hell

[@melisentiapheiffer3034]

​@@kathyr.8135he is in the ground.

[@piecerich7628]

Yes, and he was engineer too for what I know.

[@reving19]

@@melisentiapheiffer3034There’s really nothing left of his body. His soul is in Hell.

[@springfauna1465]

A demon disguised as a human.

[@adamashby2244]

Amazing interview! Thank you mike for always being willing to share your story. I remember seeing a news story 13 + years ago and nothing about his story has never changed , I guarantee those memories will stay as vivid as the day it happened for the rest of his life. Thanks again for sharing mike !

[@blackwinged9898]

Thank you for the service, Mr. Tuohey🌹 I'm so proud to be American because of Americans like you! Thank you so much for this splendid interview!

[@Khalil_Shahs]

Of all the interviews of people relating to 911 tragedy, this guy’s interview is most deep. I felt like he is speaking from his heart, I should listen it again.

[@christine9385]

God bless this man. The guilt he has dealt with is unimaginable.

[@willettej7988]

You have a supernatural instinct. Trusting your gut seems like it’s always the right thing. But you’re a good man and you want to recognize the best in people. Just like most of us! God bless you, you’re an indelible part of history.

[@MattWinacott]

I feel for this man, but his strength is so admirable. Many people that day became heroes, him included.

[@jasonmerlino3815]

Just watching this interview you can tell he’s a incredible man

[@kjr6372]

Good Mothers will always be motherly. No matter how old their children are. At 90 years old his mother dropped everything and went to her very adult son. ❤❤

[@ronachten2902]

Attention to the vast majority of mainstream media: this is how you conduct an interview. You guide the person with some questions, but then you shut up and let them tell their story.

[@peterpitrakkou3335]

Outstanding Incredible Interview. Feel so sorry for this true American 🇺🇸 patriot who was just doing his job on that fateful day.

[@hightreason7934]

I once spoke with a former AA flight attendant who told me she had to deal with Atta on not one, but TWO flights. This probably would've been earlier in 2001. She said he was a complete asshole.

[@hightreason7934]

@NYCPizzaman Yes.

[@seanodonnell6947]

now 20 years later gay millennials are bigger assholes than terrorists

[@jenniferfields1084]

If they have got on Chicago. They would never got on .

[@michellenainkristinabusch1221]

​@@jenniferfields1084 Would like to think so, but we never know that

[@zufgh]

I mean even aside from the killing thousands of people thing, he looks like he'd be an asshole. He has that resting bitch face energy down to a tee.

[@marktwain5232]

Bless this man and his dear Mother. This was not his fault. He did his job by the existing book as required. He had this intuition but what could he have really done according to all legal proceedings at the time? There was a Female FBI Agent in the Mid-West who sent many Warning reports to the FBI in Washington, D.C. and got no response. She is a member of my Veterans Group. There were many chances to stop this well before those two showed up at his counter. He should bear no guilt at all. Others dropped the ball, not him.

[@rridderbusch518]

"There was a Female FBI Agent in the Mid-West who sent many Warning reports to the FBI in Washington, D.C. and got no response" *Misogyny truly doesn't pay.* I love Mark Twain so much!

[@benp3592]

Exactly the government dropped the ball and allowed this to happen through lack of action at best. If the FBI listened to the agent or lots of other warnings.

[@brittanybaucom9786]

Heart wrenching. I cannot imagine the guilt he must have every day until his healing began. His mom was right - it wasn’t his fault. We cannot predict monsters. His account is amazing & I’m so glad he shared his part in history. I agree with so much he said. Bless him. ♥️

[@toddpayne923]

Absolutely amazing interview with an amazing man. I respect him so much as he has so much strength. Wow

[@marcvslicinivscrassvs7536]

The other hijacker smiled because he didn't know it was a suicide mission. Only the pilots knew.

[@geraldo209]

I was wondering exactly that

[@Hoolzz]

They knew they would still die. The other guys joined a terrorist camp, before the attacks they were asked to record a video where they claimed that they would be martyrs. They assumed that it would be a hijacking whereby the passengers would be used as hostages and they would probably demand political change and would be ready to kill themselves and passengers till the demands are met. It wasn't until just before boarding or during boarding they were revealed the true plans of the operations. Pretty sure I read somewhere that the same hijacker who smiled looked terrified later on.

[@danielle-g3k]

@@Hoolzzso they didn’t know then until it was too late!

[@neon5433]

@@danielle-g3kit wasn’t too late, if they really cared that much or were scared they couldve easily bailed the whole plot before the plane took off but didn’t.

[@MB-fo2sk]

All the hijackers knew, it wouldn't have worked out otherwise. Atta looked miserable because that's how he always looked, dude was as grim as they come.

[@PNWgirlWithBrains]

I’m so sorry that you have to live with this experience and the feelings that come with it. Personally I believe that 9/11 or something like it would have happened irregardless. You were the one in a million ordinary citizen just doing your job on their big day at the “right” time. I’m so sorry.

[@EdwinRodriguez-wh6jl]

I think america l et that happe n

[@gabethedinosaur95]

I remember him from inside 9/11 National Geographic. Can’t believe he’s been facing the terribleness of putting the hijacker’s on the plane.

[@rodmills737]

I remember him too

[@johngonzalez6690]

Same here. I’ll never forget how on that show when he said he had a bad feeling about Atta being a terrorist. Bone chilling. If it makes him feel any better, he played it as well as you could. He gave him his boarding passes for US Airways but told him if he wanted his American boarding passes, to check with them. Despite Atta continuously mentioning the one step check in.

[@marinagordolyle1478]

Not your fault, plus since you refused the one-step check-in, they had to go through it all over again in Boston and the security system didn’t notice anything there.

[@marcsonnenberg623]

He did his job admirably. Not his fault. It's too bad nobody thought that a passenger doesn't need a box cutter on an Airplane.

[@abbyarnold4477]

He looks to be a very honorable man .

[@DylanLovesBrenda]

I love guys like this that know how to tell a story. I can listen to him all day. And the guilt he felt. Its not his fault. No one could have imagined that would have happened that day. WhT a lovely man though.

[@amiegee3134]

What an awesome guy he is, I hope that somehow he knows that, just a good honest genuine caring person, wish I could know him, would love to sit with him and have a conversation.

[@hankochai]

He did his job and did it well. There was no way for him to anticipate what would happen.

[@ralex3697]

Agree, but his gut told him something. So sad, no one could have seen it coming.

[@Barbara-iq6yr]

I would love to know him! Great guy. Love this interview.

[@julieann4616]

Thank you for this interview! ♥️♥️

[@listenwatch1233]

I know it's been a while and I'm John riley but I worked with Mike Touhey in September 2001 and I remember this day like it was yesterday and will always remember this day like it was today!!! John Riley was working.. Joe Bureau.Diane Freelove. Rick Auger Kathi Blanchard Bob Townsend Ron Jarvis...it was a bad day!!!

[@alexcharls2772]

I feel like I could sit down, have a beer with this guy while talking about the old days.

[@TheBobbymcd]

i could listen to him recite the phone book, he's so interesting and has a good talking style AND he is intelligent.

[@hanslanda58]

I’m having a beer right now while watching this and I’m making pretend I am with him because I love and adore this man , I am 39 and crying like a baby and I’m a man

[@TheBobbymcd]

@@hanslanda58 it takes a Real man to admit that...god bless

[@hanslanda58]

@@TheBobbymcd I’m not ashamed to admit it … all men cry we are humans

[@TheBobbymcd]

@@hanslanda58 and there's nothing to be ashamed about, i cry to..but i dont like crying in front of other people but i do cry.

[@ghostednobrand116]

If he had that same experience post 9/11, he would only have convinced himself he was being paranoid. Same outcome. Nobody can be mad at him. Great storyteller and easy to listen to. He seems gifted that way. Just sorry he has a story to tell. :(

[@emmi.bemmi0]

What a fascinating man and interview!I can’t imagine having to be tied to something as horrific as a terrorist attack my whole life just because I was doing what I was being paid to do. I’m glad he was eventually able to work through a lot of this baggage and lead a normal life.

[@VickiBee]

Eric wouldn't want him to blame himself, because that's what kind of person he was. He always wanted to see people being happy. 'He WAS always happy. He DID smile a lot and his smile WAS infectious. In fact, I'm putting that in the impact statement if this circus of a trial ever actually happens. It's 21 yrs later & they're just now selecting a jury, even though it's a military trial. Update, 2024: They were either let go to their country of origin, which was Saudi Arabia or Pakistan in most cases, or put in prison here. The only justice we ever got IMO was SEAL Team 6. Their motto is "God will judge our enemies; we'll arrange the meeting." I'm sorry if it sounds too harsh but it's honestly how I feel. Eric L. Bennett 10/17/71--9/11/01

[@jlnriddick]

What a wonderful guy you are, Mike! As many say, I really could listen to you all day! Your answers are so engaging and so insightful, and I just love that Boston accent! The only downside to this entire interview is your interviewer! Thank goodness you were on the other end of the conversation, because sadly, that young lady had the personality of a lamp. Great to hear from you Mike, and thank you for sharing your story with all of us.

[@michellenainkristinabusch1221]

I remember my teachers were worried about the Sears Tower in Chicago, which was very close to my school. Being in Chicago, they were also checking the El trains (above ground Subway, basically). It was so eerie during that time, with living between O'hare and Midway airports. So scary during this time.

[@ashwin253]

Mike, you don't have to blame yourself as the other guys checked in from Dulles and Boston and other airports. It wouldn't have ben professional to stop them just with a gut feeling which you rightly did, even though you had some reservations about their miserable behavior. You just did the right thing at that moment so don't analyze this in the hindsight.

[@brownie9919]

Exactly! I was waiting for someone to notice that

[@DavidPierre-vc6dy]

He should have stopped them. They should charge him for aiding the terrorists, him and Mousauia

[@DavidPierre-vc6dy]

They should arrest this guy. What about the Jewish ppl that never went to work on 9/11

[@sugarandspice2136]

@@DavidPierre-vc6dy it’s still not his fault.

[@a1918-b4g]

@@DavidPierre-vc6dythere were Jews in the towers wth are you on? I’m Jewish I personally know multiple people who lost loved ones. There’s videos with survivors and interviews with families who lost people. Take your antisemetic bullshit somewhere else

[@-phantom.7746]

To see some one's sickening smile like he did and to hear what they done later on the day could crawl underneath you skin.

[@thedollbabys1073]

What a great interview!

[@denniseverett1904]

TSA should've been in place back in the 1970s after the hijackings first started to occuring

[@RogueCylon]

Something should have been in place. I could park at the airport 15 minutes before my flight. Stroll to the gate and just show my boarding pass. That was a major city. Zero security in those days. Yet other countries had X-rays and checks. Interviews and weighed your electronics.

[@sportsmediaamerica]

What about the box cutters?? I never understood that. If they had box cutters, how were they not detected???

[@THETRUTH-ks5rc]

On 9/11 and before it knives of 4 inches were allowed on planes. Screening at the time was designed for guns and explosives not knives. No one ever assumed on day we would see hijackings happen with knives. It was a oversight. Where today no knives are allowed on planes at all. The hijackers basically found a flaw in airport security and screening. Months before the attacks Mohamad Atta and another hijacker were seen at Logan Airport filming the security checkpoint

[@tommyfu9271]

TSA is a joke and dog and pony show. And security was even worse pre 911.

[@dhornjr1]

Man, I feel for this guy. Nothing about this is his fault, but he has a conscience and can't help but blame himself.

[@how_about_naw]

What a sweetheart. I hope he is thriving

[@dannyrichards-nb9sh]

I was in NYC that day next to it

[@garyedwardgray7549]

I love this guy. Feel so badly for him placing the guilt on himself. I get it. I’m sure everyone involved wonders if there was more they could’ve done. I also love what he reveals about his apparent politics. Very much common sense. He mocks entitled right wingers, but also accepted his role in being drafted and wanted to be a cop when he came back. Just a reasonable, level headed guy. I hope his mind and heart are at peace with what happened. He is, needless to say, not remotely to blame. I wish him well.

[@stevenc.5732]

uh, no one more entitled than the triggered left - cancel culture mob, get offended at the thought of getting offended, shoving tranny issues down our throats. please...

[@janetstone236]

Amazing interview and recollection of the encounter!

[@cciccone61]

Man is so humble.

[@El-vi6lg]

Awesome guy!

[@irishflute720]

Where did the sound go around 36:00 time stamp?

[@anguoanzu5124]

His memory is really good.. better than most 20 year olds today.. how come we didn't hear anything from him before ???

[@princenamor1939]

He's been interviewed before. I've seen him a couple of times in documentaries.

[@sandrazed6089]

You go that right. Never even used the word "like" once!

[@reneeperez2967]

What a terrific human being. Thank you for documenting his experience.

[@musicnerd72]

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Mike! Like so many others have said, I could sit and listen to him for hours! 👍

[@jambocoo]

You have nothing to be sorry for Mike, if anyone let America down, it was the US government. They were warned a month earlier as you mentioned and nothing was done. You are a good and honorable man, stay strong and live your life well.

[@marciamatteini7604]

Your so right! The US government is to blame. Makes me so upset and angry that they did not investigate. Mike was certainly not at fault. God bless him.✝️

[@aaroncampbell2180]

They were actually warned by Iran and Russia.

[@alinao1481]

The CIA was directly to blame. The CIA knew the terrorists were in the US and refused to share their information with the FBI, very anal people who refused to cooperate with FBI and arrest those terrorists.

[@oldmanc2]

Super articulate guy. Very brave of him to speak.

[@kennethhudson8013]

You will never convince me that two amature pilots could make complex maneuvers into a building that even a seasoned pilot sad it would be even difficult for him to do

[@RF_20]

So what are you implying?

[@GruntProof]

Profiling is good sometimes

[@michellenainkristinabusch1221]

Profiling can be prevention

[@stevemcdonald1033]

Too bad the interviewer didn't have a proper mike setup, so we could hear what she was saying. When the audio blanks out completely at about 35:00 for a minute or so, the camera starts wobbling around and losing focus. Not a professionally done video. It looks like it was shot or copied on VHS.

[@benschaeffer8102]

He was suspicious ENOUGH to deny them one-step check-in up in Portland, SO he ACTUALLY listened to his instincts. Boston SHOULD have denied them boarding ALL TOGETHER onto AA 11. It was ACTUALLY the AA gate agents at Logan who didn't listen to THEIR instincts.

[@homer9868]

Keep in mind, if you’re wrong you’re gonna get fired when a paying customer is denied entry to a flight because you racially profiled them. Back then nobody was thinking about people flying planes into buildings, so the odds of being right were pretty long, are you sure you’d be willing to risk your job based off a “weird, gut/hunch” feeling? If so you should do some gambling at the casinos

[@benschaeffer8102]

@@homer9868 True regarding risking job security due to racial profiling, BUT, the FAA had a "no fly" list even back in 2001 (and I believe the Portland Gate Agent also checked them against that and of course their names weren't on there yet), BUT, remember also it was two different airlines (Colgan Air & AA) in between Portland & Boston. Colgan was a regional subsidiary of Continental/United & US Airways Express back in 2001, so it had NO code share or network connection to American. SO, if both flight legs had been on AA for example, the Gate Agents at Logan would have been able to see the Portland Gate Agents notes on them being denied one-step check in and the check of their name against the "No-Fly" list up in Portland. I believe there was also some discrepancy about Mohammed Atta's bag not arriving in Boston with him from Portland as well. I have had personal experience back in the 90's with my bags not arriving with me in San Diego on a regional American Eagle flight from Los Angeles; after flying in cross-country from NYC, also on AA. Those short "regional hop" flights are NOTORIOUS for losing luggage. And that was all on the SAME airline. Also, FAA Computer connectivity and networks back then weren't what they are now.

[@DannyGoldingTV]

​@benschaeffer8102 Hearing Colgan air mentioned reminds me of Flight 3407 in 2009 😞

[@aspenmgy]

Why should Boston have denied them boarding?

[@benschaeffer8102]

@@aspenmgy Because they were suspicious. Duh. How stupid does one have to be to ask that? 🤷 I don't care if it is: "racial profiling" -- in this instance it would have saved THOUSANDS of lives.

[@EverythingMETOfficial]

He is one of the only few people on Earth who saw Atta before he changed the world. Only He & God knows what Atta’s facial expression looked like. I CANT IMAGINE.

[@anunagrale8988]

This man is incridible. He suffered a lot mentally... I cant imagine how he had felt when he got to know that he checked them in... And the fact is everone felt the same about the pilot training about take off and only flying and not learning about landing... this is unbelivable and it should alarm the security systems...

[@clairefrier2353]

I agree, if someone isn’t interested in landing, that would be a huge red flag.

[@chrispoleson6118]

Oh I don't know. They could've been planning to stay up in the sky forever.

[@jmm1000]

Congratulations on an elegant interview with a truly beautiful human being

[@kidlightning1736]

I'll admit i have short attention span i zone out on long interviews but this one was so interesting i was on the edge of my seat hanging on this man's every word...this interview was unbelievable! A few things stood out to me: 1. The part where he talked about Attah looking like an Arab terrorist wow crazy he had that gut feeling and it was spot on. 2. The part where he talked about his mother reassuring him that everything will be ok that part really got to me. 3. He was dead on when he talked about the entitled people and the constant complaining that they do. Also hats off to the woman interviewing him she didn't needlessly cut him off when she asked him questions but allowed him to be a storyteller and paint the picture for us from his perspective of that day.

[@michellenainkristinabusch1221]

Always. Always trust your gut

[@elterrifico9522]

Love these long form interviews.

[@ralemc1960]

He seen everything everybody else didn’t. In minutes. These guys were educated here in our country to fly. He was trained when passengers have all in order it is your job to direct them. So many things should have been taken care of. All the way to solid doors where pilots can not be reached.

[@thelocalbubble]

35:44 he is talking about seen people jump from the top floors of the wtc , and goes maybe in to many graphic details, so they cut the sound out there.

[@mocat1]

I was wondering why the sound cut out. Thank you.

[@patrickmccarron5059]

I like how the American Flag is in the background for this interview.

[@cranke99]

The bottle of poison look. 😂 I gotta remember that one.

[@Bootigieg]

It’s guys like this who deserve podcasts. Not the people we have now

[@lss74]

Well said ❤

[@jeffross9683]

I love this guy. He’s so genuine and heartfelt with everything he says.

[@lmundiclan]

Now the sound came back thank you.

[@geraldo209]

Mr Tuohey, i was in my 20s and Varig ticket agent from 01 to 06. And i hope you dont carry guilt in your heart, as there was nothing else you could do, and there was no way you could prevented this. You did a fine job and you are an example to all of us. I grew up to become an airline pilot here in south america and i salute you sir!

[@andrewhazenberg3398]

What an awesome gentleman Mike is ! The world needs more good respectable people like Mike . 👍

[@snowpants2212]

What a touching perspective on that day. Guy did his job; if only others had done theirs.

[@bethmiscia8297]

Got that right! Fun and laughter everyday. The same thing everyday, but always different. I eventually transferred from NYCRR (reservations) to EWR.. Worked the gates and of course, UAL 93 many times. Loved my job! Once an airline employees ……. Thanks for sharing. Nothing is the same.

[@alexb2846]

Stereotypes save lives

[@lilymargaret447]

Mike Tuohey.

[@sambistabeauty]

And all the cancers, pulmonary diseases , disabilities, lifelong burns, blindness and injuries due to concrete& glass raining down

[@lilymargaret447]

@@sambistabeauty Absolutely Sambistabeauty---in addition to that horror storm for regular everyday NYC folks just living their humble lives, as you mentioned, there were those people, the persistent and daring, determined Pile and Pit crews, so many volunteers from the Family of New York & surrounds----these People, these Lives, these Humans struggling with Suffering and Loss---they taught the Nation and the World something about Love and Devotion and Grit and Steely Resolve and Kindness and Incredible Bravery. The 9/11 Stories, all of the documentaries, I highly recommend that people now go back to these and reexamine, reflect and Remember. I hope the Tunnel to Towers Foundation is a solid way to help, cause I am about to join. God Bless

[@El-vi6lg]

A wonderful man.Sir, you did your duty.Much love from Poland ❤.God Bless you.

[@dannyrichards-nb9sh]

I was there that day in NYC next to it.

[@marywolters3612]

You are a good man. You cannot blame yourself , back then we didn't expect this.

[@myopinionmatters]

23:17 he did EMDR this is huge for PTSD. I’m a former fighter & EMT and had to do this myself.

[@patriciavasara1051]

I love how he describes Atta, totally fits the image we have of him. Mike (who comes as a very friendly character) totally confirmed what I already knew, that Atta was an angry self-loathing psycopath who hated everyone starting with himself.

[@humanbeing5300]

I was born and raised in Portland Maine and stayed in that same comfort inn. This guy is a classic Mainer personality. I know many salt of the earth working class people just like him.

[@Bob31415]

@35:40 - Who TF is operating the camera? Also, would be nice to hear the interviewer throughout the interview.

[@jenniferfields1084]

What happen to the lady who was in the hospital with burns . She said she wasn't from New York. She was on flight 11. They freak and she ask why I am in New York. Can't find it .

[@mothershelper1981]

It looked to me like they were trying to do a close up on his face and then he decided to lean forward which put the camera out of focus and too close. I guess they didn't realize it right away but when they did they zoomed back a bit and somebody must have hit a button or something because suddenly they lost the sound. Unfortunately they evidently didn't realize right away. I was afraid it was going to affect the whole rest of the interview but fortunately they must have realized it and just when they got it corrected he moved again and leaned back in his chair. Then they had to refocus it again. I think it turned out pretty good considering they probably only had one camera on him the whole time unlike TV news shows where they have several cameras going at once and can switch when needed.

[@chanelchami]

@@jenniferfields1084 is that true? Wow

[@Great-Documentaries]

18:38: "The entire airline industry was shut down in the world." LOL! Not true. The entire airspaces of the United States and Canada were closed for a few days (unless you were a Saudi friend of George Bush - they had no restrictions as to where they were allowed to fly even as senators were not allowed to fly. Google it if you don't believe me.) The rest of the world went on as if nothing happened, because a lot of those countries already did a better job of securing their airports than Americans (obviously) did.

[@willard2729]

True but you could’ve kept it to yourself. In fact you should take it down. And “LOL” says everything about you

[@Vingul]

Didn't he had "at least in America" or something to that effect?