Over the nine years since 9/11, there have been many ceremonies, new memorials, congressional plaudits and remembrances for those who died in that day’s tragic events. This year there will be more. Sadly, few of these events will include flight attendants, the first casualties of the terrorist attacks. Even more unfortunate, flight attendants are now on the front lines of what has become a world of growing tension between the airlines and the public they are supposed to serve.

After rumors of financial issues for months, Cruise West has stopped taking reservations, and they are terminating a world cruise partway through the sailing.