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

Mike Tuohey was the ticket agent at Portland International Jetport on September 11, 2001. His unique connection to the tragedy is still hard to shake after 20 years. Tuohey checked in Flight 11 hijackers Mohamed Atta and Abdul Aziz al Omari. His life was changed forever

[patrickclapp]

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

[jdtractorman]

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.

[sarahstoll]

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.

[GLING]

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.

[namj]

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.

[mightysprocket]

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

[robyn]

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

[blackwinged]

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!

[stephaniels]

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!”.

[brandonlaba]

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.

[lulapetry]

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

[lisafranklin]

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

[ronachten]

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.

[steve]

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.

[marjorievault]

This man is so sweet. You can just tell he has an amazing soul. I pray he's doing well.

[bramlintrent]

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.

[chem]

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

[linedancer]

He is the nicest, sweetest gentleman. Your Mother raised you well!

[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.

[marcvslicinivscrassvs]

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