Ben Sliney actually played himself in the movie United 93. It was his first day on the job, but he was pretty experienced, he previously ran all of New York City's air traffic.

I saw an interview with him maybe 15 years ago (sorry I can't find it now) but he grounded every plane in the US without approval from anyone above him on his first day as the FAA National Operation Manager (I believe he was at least 5 levels below the President).

Pretty incredible story but he knew how to react and executed the plan well.

edit: clarified some stuff and figured I should include his Wikipedia page too

[–] nxdefiant@startrek.website 9 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Now imagine what it was like for the guy who took over his old job in New York on that day.

[–] papalonian@lemmy.world 137 points 11 months ago (2 children)

I wonder if there was a moment where he was like, "oh haha, very funny guys. Sure it just crashed into the WTC, totally."

[–] someguy3@lemmy.ca 45 points 11 months ago (1 children)

"Awesome prank Farva."

[–] papalonian@lemmy.world 40 points 11 months ago (2 children)

Al Qaeda: "HAHA OH SHIT I GOT YOU GOOD YOU FUCKER"

[–] someguy3@lemmy.ca 30 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

"I swear to god I'll pistol whip the next guy that says 'jet fuel can't melt steel beams' ".

[–] c0mbatbag3l@lemmy.world 11 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Hey Farva, what's that conspiracy you love again? With the complete lack of physics knowledge and the mechanical engineering?

[–] KGB@lemmy.world 9 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Jet fuel can’t melt steel beams?

[–] c0mbatbag3l@lemmy.world 8 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Ohhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!

[–] GreenMario@lemm.ee 7 points 11 months ago

🔫

[–] kautau@lemmy.world 7 points 11 months ago

Littering aaaaaand

Destroying the World Trade Center

[–] funkless_eck@sh.itjust.works 5 points 11 months ago

it's just a prank bro. just a bit of light terrorism

[–] Jolteon@lemmy.zip 20 points 11 months ago

It's obviously just a hazing ritual they put the new guys through, right?.... Right guys?

[–] jeffw@lemmy.world 55 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Damn, can you imagine that being your first day? I assume he had already been through some kind of training or had some assistance in making the decision to ground air traffic

[–] ImplyingImplications@lemmy.ca 61 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Terrible first day, but he had a senior position at New York TRACON (which controls nearly all air traffic in New York) for years before getting the federal position. He was definitely experienced.

[–] Nurse_Robot@lemmy.world 15 points 11 months ago (2 children)

Still a rough first day. I wonder if his relative inexperience in the position had any effect on the outcome of that day

[–] nik9000@programming.dev 15 points 11 months ago

Although it was his first day in charge, Sliney had an over-25-year background in air traffic and management in the FAA.

[–] iAvicenna@lemmy.world 49 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

This guy is going to completely ace his next job interview.

"Tell us about the last time you had to solve a difficult problem"

"Yea got a funny story about that..."

[–] ChaoticNeutralCzech@feddit.de 29 points 11 months ago (3 children)

Think of better things that happened that day.

[–] Obi@sopuli.xyz 12 points 11 months ago

That video really took me back, what a vibe. And so very Berlin.

[–] Inductor@feddit.de 9 points 11 months ago

That looks really cool.

[–] cashews_best_nut@lemmy.world 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Are you in Czech Hunter?

[–] ChaoticNeutralCzech@feddit.de 1 points 11 months ago

Maybe. Which character do you think I am?

[–] derf82@lemmy.world 27 points 11 months ago

It was his first day in charge, but far from his first day with the FAA. He still had a lot of experience.

He also played himself in United 93.

[–] Sabre363@sh.itjust.works 23 points 11 months ago

Trial by fire, literally.

[–] Holzkohlen@feddit.de 12 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Coincidence?
One word. This is why there will always be conspiracy theories I guess.

[–] Lemjukes@lemm.ee 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Yep I remember seeing this “cited” as a “dead giveaway” for the whole “inside job” theory.

[–] watersnipje@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 11 months ago

You’d think they would make it less obvious than that if they wanted to hide a conspiracy.

Funny how they always think that there are some intricate hidden conspiracies, yet that they are obvious enough that some dumbasses on Facebook can figure it out.

[–] Omega_Haxors@lemmy.ml 7 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

Here's to the only funny joke in the entire CAD animated series: https://youtu.be/ePdibIRunUE

[–] wowwoweowza@lemmy.ml 5 points 11 months ago (2 children)

Out of the loop. Context please?

[–] shea@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 11 months ago

it came out on 911

[–] Omega_Haxors@lemmy.ml 0 points 11 months ago

Look up the release date of lego star wars 2.

[–] PipedLinkBot@feddit.rocks 1 points 11 months ago

Here is an alternative Piped link(s):

https://piped.video/ePdibIRunUE

Piped is a privacy-respecting open-source alternative frontend to YouTube.

I'm open-source; check me out at GitHub.

[–] principalkohoutek@hexbear.net 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

First day on a Tuesday (in a highly professional setting) is kinda weird

[–] Waraugh@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 points 11 months ago

It wasn’t his first day, it was his first full day. His first day on Monday was likely getting his ID card etc. I’m sure people just like how it sounds saying it was his first day instead.

[–] SVcross@lemmy.world -4 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I just hope he didn't bombed his first day.

[–] flooppoolf@lemmy.world 7 points 11 months ago