Yes, it was a very strange day. The entire Federal workforce was sent home from work, except for "essential personnel" - which is a specific category that can exist in almost any type of position. You know well in advance if you are essential or not. And I was essential (the agency's public website is considered a crucial communications tool in emergencies). The Metro (subway) didn't have enough capacity to take people out of town all at once like that, and I could look out my window and see people streaming uptown on foot instead.
Our New York office was in one of the several smaller office buildings that were part of the Trade Center complex. Fortunately all our staff got out, but it was several days before we knew that.
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Date: 2007-09-12 10:13 pm (UTC)Yes, it was a very strange day. The entire Federal workforce was sent home from work, except for "essential personnel" - which is a specific category that can exist in almost any type of position. You know well in advance if you are essential or not. And I was essential (the agency's public website is considered a crucial communications tool in emergencies). The Metro (subway) didn't have enough capacity to take people out of town all at once like that, and I could look out my window and see people streaming uptown on foot instead.
Our New York office was in one of the several smaller office buildings that were part of the Trade Center complex. Fortunately all our staff got out, but it was several days before we knew that.