9/11 Birthday is profound for local pilot

Waseca-based airline pilot Benjamin Priebe will turn 25 on September 11.

 

“From a young age, I knew the significance of the day and what it meant to Americans,” he reflects. “I always knew 9/11 was much more than my birthday.

 

“I remember growing up watching the morning news on my birthday. Each year I grew older, a new anniversary passed for the terrible day. I remember seeing the images of the burning towers in New York and how scary it was, even many years later as a young kid.”

 

Ben’s mother, Michelle Priebe, tells that the birth that day was induced with a procedure beginning at 7:30 a.m., leaving her waiting in a hospital room for biological processes to kick in. In the midst of the wait, “The door to my room flew open as a nurse rushed in and said ‘Something terrible is happening to our nation, you need to turn on the tv.’  We turned on the tv and sat there for a while in complete shock and sadness.”

 

As the events continued, Michelle remembers speculating it was “a terrible day” to introduce a new life; a nurse took hold of her round belly and said very sincerely, “I think it is a great day to bring a baby into this world.” Michele still remembers the odd combination of joy and sadness she felt as she took her healthy young baby home and watched the world reel from the terrifying events of the day he was born.

 

“We had our brand new ‘bundle of joy,’ but I remember being scared for what was to come of the world,” she describes. “There was talk about going to war; a very scary concept when you have a newborn.”

 

On Ben’s first birthday, the Waseca newspaper published a story citing his birth as “a ray of hope for the future.” Michele believes it was very timely, remembering and memorializing the fear, uncertainty and loss the events of the day led to, but showing how babies and children are a perpetual message that life goes on.

 

Now that Ben is 25, a few years into his career as a commercial pilot, and on staff with Delta Air Lines, the message continues. Of the profession he has pursued for 4.5 years, he says, “I am fortunate to be based out of Minneapolis/St. Paul flying the Airbus 320 series for Delta Air Lines. I am able to connect people to their families, friends, and favorite places in the world.” Ben is now engaged to Madison Luebke; the two plan to marry next summer.

 

Along with the hope and anticipation, reminders of the day his life began are also consistent. “The importance of ‘Never Forget’ for the events of 9/11 is so much more important than a birthday,” he observes. “In my aviation career, we are required to present our documents including pilot licenses and passports to the required personnel when going through security. Many people do not notice the date. Those who do often look up from my ID and say something along the lines of ‘Wow what a birthday!’ or, ‘I sure remember where I was on your birthday.’

 

“Whenever I have mentioned my birthday to others, it sparks an interesting conversation of how the day affected each person.”

 

One particularly memorable exchange occurred as Ben was acquiring his Private Pilot’s License—an early step advancing toward flying commercial craft. “Growing up in Waseca I was lucky enough to learn to fly at the Waseca Municipal Airport from Maynard Stensrud, a 30-year flight instructor who taught many Wasecans how to fly.

 

“One of the most significant memories of the association of my birthday and 9/11 was during my examination for my Private Pilot Checkride. I remember the examiner looking at my driver license and saying ‘Wow, your birthday changed the course of my aviation career and was such a significant event for our nation.’”  Long-time pilots remember well that, for a time after September 2001, “the aviation industry came to a halt. An industry I now have been part of for 4.5 years was significantly shaped by 9/11. Many people were furloughed from their jobs and took up other professions to put food on their tables.”

 

Along with that, “Being an airline pilot, the events of 9/11 are always respected. Our safety and security standards are forever changed.”

 

Ben describes that commercial airline pilots don’t fly regular routes; instead they “bid” for flights based on their seniority, which means, as one who began with Delta in March, he ends up with many weekend flights. National standards also dictate a maximum number of hours pilots can be at the helm of a plane each month, leaving him with 14 to 16 days off scattered somewhat randomly.

 

“When you’re away and on the road, it can be tough, but ‘bringing your work home’ isn’t an option, which allows me to be present with family and friends and enjoy all that Minnesota has to offer,” he describes. Still, his love of flying and travel is such that, “It is a great honor to fly airplanes and call it a job.”

 

The opportunity to travel creates numerous opportunities. “On a work layover a few years ago, I was able to visit the 9/11 Memorial in New York. It was truly surreal to see in person after hearing all the many stories from so many people through the years. Seeing so many faces to the tragedy that unfolded in New York, Washington D.C. and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, was something I will never forget.

 

“I have since been back within the last year with my Fiancè Madi. We spent over 3 hours learning more about the events of the day in New York. I encourage everyone to go visit the memorial, including people of my generation and those born in a post 9/11 era.”