Under attack - impressions from Washington, D.C. - part 5
September 10, 2001 11:00 pm
Chaos in the aftermath of Tuesday's terrorist attacks on Washington, D.C., sent the city's offices, hotels and rental car companies into a tailspin as those that kept their doors open scrambled to accommodate distraught customers and employees.
As the subway and local airports shut down, customers inundated downtown rental car companies shortly after the approximately 9:40 a.m. attack on the Pentagon, forcing businesses to begin turning away even those with reservations starting midmorning. The initial influx was largely made up of journalists seeking transportation to New York City, the first site of the attacks, said Jeff Hogan, district manager of Avis Rent-A-Car in downtown Washington, D.C.
All of the 50-60 automobiles normally in stock in Avis' downtown location were checked out by 11 a.m., Hogan said, and only a handful of returns trickled in during the rest of the day.
“We have chaos here. The phones have been ringing nonstop, and everybody's all trying to go one way. No one is scheduled to return cars is returning cars,” he said, adding that the company was allowing those traveling in rental cars to leave the city and return them at other locations throughout the country.
Larry Fischer and several of his colleagues from the Morris K. Udall Foundation were searching for ground transportation out of the city in lieu of their scheduled Wednesday departure from a Washington, D.C., airport to cities including Phoenix and Boston. The group was turned away from several car rental companies and decided to try options like catching a train or renting a car from a location outside of the city.
“We're just trying to come up with a plan to get out of here,” Fischer said.
At the Capitol Hilton several blocks from the White House, the hushed atmosphere in the downstairs lobby was intense as guests crowded around pay phones and strained for details on a television in the bar.
“We're very saddened by the horrific loss of life. We're angry,” said Marilyn Lederer, who was in town for meetings of the American College of Chest Physicians and was trying to rent a car to return to Chicago, as many of her colleagues attempted to schedule transportation out of town by cab or train.
Capitol Hilton general manager Frank Otero said the hotel administration had heightened security by conducting sweeps of the building and closed reservations. Concierges meanwhile scrambled throughout the morning to fill rental transportation requests and assist guests.
“For us, being very fluid, staying calm - that's been the theme of the day,” he said.
Joseph Zarza, general manager of the Phoenix Park Hotel, which is located two blocks from the Capitol, said the hotel's restaurant became a hub of stranded guests and commuters due to the lack of available transportation in the downtown area. The hotel was able to extend reservations, he said.
“Scores of people checked out this morning that turned around and came back because they couldn't get to the airport,” he said.
Chaos in the aftermath of Tuesday's terrorist attacks on Washington, D.C., sent the city's offices, hotels and rental car companies into a tailspin as those that kept their doors open scrambled to accommodate distraught customers and employees.As the subway and local airports shut down, customers inundated downtown rental car companies shortly after the approximately 9:40 a.m. attack on the Pentagon, forcing businesses to begin turning away even those with reservations starting midmorning. The initial influx was largely made up of journalists seeking transportation to New York City, the first site of the attacks, said Jeff Hogan, district manager of Avis Rent-A-Car in downtown Washington, D.C.
All of the 50-60 automobiles normally in stock in Avis' downtown location were checked out by 11 a.m., Hogan said, and only a handful of returns trickled in during the rest of the day.
“We have chaos here. The phones have been ringing nonstop, and everybody's all trying to go one way. No one is scheduled to return cars is returning cars,” he said, adding that the company was allowing those traveling in rental cars to leave the city and return them at other locations throughout the country.
Larry Fischer and several of his colleagues from the Morris K. Udall Foundation were searching for ground transportation out of the city in lieu of their scheduled Wednesday departure from a Washington, D.C., airport to cities including Phoenix and Boston. The group was turned away from several car rental companies and decided to try options like catching a train or renting a car from a location outside of the city.
“We're just trying to come up with a plan to get out of here,” Fischer said.
At the Capitol Hilton several blocks from the White House, the hushed atmosphere in the downstairs lobby was intense as guests crowded around pay phones and strained for details on a television in the bar.
“We're very saddened by the horrific loss of life. We're angry,” said Marilyn Lederer, who was in town for meetings of the American College of Chest Physicians and was trying to rent a car to return to Chicago, as many of her colleagues attempted to schedule transportation out of town by cab or train.
Capitol Hilton general manager Frank Otero said the hotel administration had heightened security by conducting sweeps of the building and closed reservations. Concierges meanwhile scrambled throughout the morning to fill rental transportation requests and assist guests.
“For us, being very fluid, staying calm - that's been the theme of the day,” he said.
Joseph Zarza, general manager of the Phoenix Park Hotel, which is located two blocks from the Capitol, said the hotel's restaurant became a hub of stranded guests and commuters due to the lack of available transportation in the downtown area. The hotel was able to extend reservations, he said.
“Scores of people checked out this morning that turned around and came back because they couldn't get to the airport,” he said.
