Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (June 26/02) - The last time Capt. Ron Geer was in Yellowknife almost all his energy was devoted to trying to get his United Airlines Boeing 777 off the ground.

In case anyone was wondering the date of his last visit was Sept. 11, 2001, and it was Geer's decision that would forever forge Yellowknife's own connection to the tragic terrorist events that turned four commercial airliners into guided missiles over New York, Washington, D.C. and rural Pennsylvania that day.

Fortunately, his story is a happy one.

"They were terrible events that were going on in the U.S., but we were kind of isolated from that, because we were treated so well," says Geer. "Basically, we were causing a big problem for your community."

Geer's plane, United Airlines Flight 876, with 143 passengers onboard and a crew of 17, were on their way to Seattle, Wash., from Japan when they were notified that all U.S. continental airports had been closed down -- the first complete "ground stop" ever ordered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) -- due to terrorist attacks on the eastern seaboard.

He says the crew was disturbed by what they heard, but initially knew very little about the terrorist attacks.

"We were naturally shocked," says Geer. "We didn't know the full extent of the problem until we were on the ground."

Mulling over his options, the 33-year United Airlines veteran saw Yellowknife on the map and figured it is was as good a place as any to land his plane.

"We didn't want an airport that was saturated with planes, so after not being able to land in Anchorage this was the most suitable place," says Geer.

What happened over the next few days touched him deeply, says Geer, and ever since, he has wanted to come back and spend some time with the people who opened their doors and hearts to his passengers and crew.

The Yellowknife Association for Community Living brought the stranded passengers and crew warm blankets, food and toys for those who were travelling with their children.

There were few people in town who didn't want to get involved.

"When I was up here we were so busy trying to get the airplane out of town, I didn't even have time to walk down the street," says Geer.

"The town people brought us food, and it was good food. There were lots of people in the background, and this is just my chance to thank them."

When Canadian North manager of operations Stuart Wallace told him about Yellowknife's Midnight Golf Classic, he thought it was the perfect opportunity to come back and show his gratitude.

His wife, Rachel, also wanted to come.

"This time he wasn't coming to Yellowknife without me," Rachel laughs, who waited anxiously by the phone for three days the last time Geer was here.

Back home, in Snohomish, Wash., the couple says their trip to Yellowknife has been causing a buzz among family and friends, who still relish hearing stories of Geer's last experience in town.

"They were excited, especially Ron Jr., who's a golfer," says Rachel. "He was intrigued about playing golf at midnight."

Geer no longer flies the overseas route to Japan, but ironically travels near Yellowknife frequently on his flights to Europe.

He would love to pay another visit, but doubts it would be in a company jet again.

"Yellowknife is one of my in-route alternatives," says Geer.

"But I would have a hard time explaining that if we landed here again."