Ex-IBM executive changed flights on 9/11 on colleague's advice, saving his life. He fired her for 'poor performance'

A former IBM executive Bill Ellmore took to Twitter to share his narrow escape with death and how a colleague’s advice prevented him from getting on one of the ill-fated planes of the 9/11 tragedy in the US. But his account unveils a startling twist in the narrative, as he revealed that the very colleague who had advised him to switch his flight – ultimately saving his life – was later dismissed for poor performance.

Twitter has been buzzing with a mix of emotions in response to this unexpected revelation with many criticising Ellmore’s actions.

Ellmore's story began with a seemingly innocuous phone call from a co-worker on the night of September 10, 2001. The colleague urged him to change his flight from Newark, New Jersey, to San Francisco, California, from a nonstop route to one with a stopover in Denver and a subsequent arrival in San Jose. This decision meant giving up his coveted first-class seat for a later flight.

"I was very reluctant, but I did it," Ellmore recounted. He admitted that, at the time, his primary concern was the inconvenience of losing his first-class seat, and he didn't give much thought to the people boarding Flight 93. Little did he know that this choice would alter the course of his life.

As he watched Flight 93 board, he expressed frustration that he was no longer on the earlier, direct flight. However, it was only moments later that he, like the rest of the world, witnessed the devastating events of 9/11 unfold, as the Twin Towers were struck by planes.

Ellmore's flight was grounded just before takeoff, sparing him from being aboard Flight 93, which tragically crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers heroically attempted to regain control from hijackers.

The reason my coworker told me to change my flight was she took the same flight on 9/10 and the commute from San Francisco to Mountain View would make me late for my meeting whereas traveling from San Jose to Mountain View would be faster in the morning.

— Bill Ellmore (@BillEllmore) September 11, 2023

Ellmore recounted how his perspective on life drastically changed that day. He committed to getting to know his fellow passengers on every flight and readily giving up his seat if asked.

The twist in this tale came when Ellmore disclosed the reason behind his coworker's advice to change his flight. She had taken the same flight on September 10 and knew that the commute from San Francisco to Mountain View would make him late for an important meeting. Choosing the San Jose route, with a shorter morning commute, seemed more practical.

Sad to say, I ultimately had to fire her for poor performance. It was difficult

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— Bill Ellmore  (@BillEllmore) September 11, 2023

Remarkably, Ellmore then admitted in comments that he had to let this very coworker go due to her poor performance a few months later, a decision he described as difficult. In response to a skeptical comment on Twitter about the story, calling the one he chose to take a longer route, Ellmore held his now fired colleague accountable. “Bad advice then from a poor performer,” he said.

He also responded to critical comments: "I do believe she was used by God to make me move my flight. However, the reason I was originally booked on Flight 93 was due to her performance issues."

Despite the initial doubts, Ellmore expressed a belief that this wake-up call ultimately led to her excelling in her next job. “It was months later and she was ultimately the reason I was booked on 93 to begin with because she wasn’t doing her job well. I delayed it as long as possible,” he wrote

Several users supported Ellmore but the criticism was far exceeding.

“Boy, this will come back to you tenfold. And not in the good way,” one user wrote. “I am laughing so hard right now I can’t believe this. And it was only MONTHS later??? You couldn’t even give her a year of salary for doing what she did? You could literally save your managers life and still receive absolutely zero loyalty from IBM,” wrote another.

It was months later and she was ultimately the reason I was booked on 93 to begin with because she wasn’t doing her job well. I delayed it as long as possible. God saved a man by using a donkey before.

— Bill Ellmore  (@BillEllmore) September 11, 2023

Ellmore kept defending himself in the comments. He also said that he did not regret his decision and, even said, "God saved a man by using a donkey before."

Read: Remembering the 9/11 terror attacks in US