Was sitting up late watching CNN as there was nothing on TV and I wasn't tired so thought I'd just read while the TV was on - heard the report about what they at first thought was a small aeroplane having accidentally crashed into the tower, then while I was watching, another one hit the other tower. It was surreal, woke the (then) wife up (we were both airline people) and she kept asking why she had to get up and I couldn't explain it, said "You just have to come and look, the world has just changed......." We had been in New York just months prior....
Before then, my first urge was to pick up the 'phone to my Dad who usually stayed up a bit late some nights, there was no hello or greeting, the phone rang, he answered the phone instantly and just said "J E S U S".
I remember thinking that the newly elected President was so dim that he'd probably go and nuke someone.
Anyway, within two days I was out of a job, then back in a job, then out of a job.