What Has Changed Since THE 9/11?

It seems fashionable to write about the events of September 11, 2001, on this sixth anniversary of that day. Doesn't it say a lot about the impact of those two airplanes, that I could have simply said, "I'm writing about 9/11," and everyone would have understood what was meant? Is there any other day in all of human history that is so understood by just three numbers and a backslash?

I have told the story many times that on this day six years ago I was interviewing for a communications management job at the Duane Arnold nuclear power plant in Palo, Iowa. Throughout the morning, like many of you, I sat at my desk at work (Rockwell Collins) and strained to hear the news coming from a few radios scattered throughout the building. The Internet was hopelessly slowed by the millions of people doing just what I was doing -- seeking verification of the facts.

Around 10 a.m. I left my desk to drive to the power plant. Upon arrival, I waited at a security gate for almost an hour. Big surprise -- the plant was in lock down mode. Of all the places to be interviewing for a job .... Well, the interview was a little passionless on both my part and theirs. I didn't receive an offer, and within three months I was making plans to join New York Life.

Much, of course, has changed in the last 2,190 days. But here's a little personal observation that won't be heralded in the media -- Rockwell Collins has boomed.

Shortly following the 9/11 attacks the airline industry just about went belly-up, as Americans quit flying. The bankruptcies of the airlines trickled down to airplane manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Since airlines quit ordering airplanes, airplane manufacturers quit ordering communication systems. Rockwell Collins, one of the world's leading manufacturers of such systems, tanked. The stock price lost 65 percent of its value. Nearly 3,000 employee layoffs were announced. Divisions realigned. Takeover rumors abounded. It was a mess.

But then, two things happened. First the United States went to war, first in Afghanistan, and then in Iraq. Military production boomed. Rockwell Collins, defense contractor, went to work.

And second, after two years or so, Americans again took to the skies. Airlines started making money and ordering planes. Boeing began to build jets, and order radios. Rockwell Collins, surging due to military contracts, also spurted on the commercial side. Record profits followed record profits. The stock hit $30, then $40, then $50, and higher. Employees began earning annual bonuses beyond anything previously paid.

Today, right now, Rockwell Collins has 505 job openings listed at their website. They can't hire people fast enough. As a result, the Cedar Rapids-area economy is strong. Not perfect, but acceptable to most.

That's one way my hometown has changed since 9/11. How about yours?