Editors Note: With the 19th Anniversary Of 9/11/01 Coming Up In 42 Days. Mesa Metro Hall Of Famer, Joe Hart, Was Working At Sky Harbor International Airport In Phoenix, Arizona., On The Most Memorable Day In American Aviation History. As A Customer Service Agent For Delta Air Lines On This Day, He Had More Than The Normal Problems To Help Solve For The Airlines Customers On This Particular Morning. Thank Goodness, The Game Of Bowling Has Always Been There For Him, To Help Him Get Through These Unforseen Events.
Pictured Left To Right Are: Gary Kresse, Barry Gillituk Sr., Michael 'Chip' Begg, Johnny Wing Sr., And Joe Hart.
By Michael 'Chip' Begg - Managing Editor - thetenpinexpress.com - Director Mesa Metro Association.
Mesa, AZ. - - - When it comes to writing stories about the game of bowling, some are well worth the wait in eventually getting to them.
Even though this particular one, took six years to get to.
The morning of September 11, 2001, will always be a moment in time. Where we will always remember where we were, and what we were doing at 9:17 am on this particular morning. At 9:17 am, the first of four hijacked airplanes in the United States hit the south tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. This would set off a frenzy of activity were three more hijacked airplanes would strike the: north tower of the WTC, the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and crash into a field in Shanksville, PA.
This day at work for Joe Hart of Mesa, AZ. Started off like any other day at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix. As a customer service agent for Delta Airlines, it was his job to solve problems that customers experience from getting to points A and B. But, after the FAA ordered a ground stop before noon time the morning of 9/11, he had more than just the normal problems to solve.
"I was working the ticket counter here for Delta Air Lines, and was just going to take a break and decided to call my wife, Phyllis. Phyllis was watching TV, and told me about the first plane hitting the south tower of the WTC," said Joe, of remembering where he was and what he was doing the morning of 9/11/2001. "Like everyone else, I was in shock after being told about this. After it was all over and the other three planes were down.
"I went over to the American Airlines counter, which was across from ours, and told them how sorry I was for the loss," he continued. "All airline employees are like family, even though we are competitors."
It wasn't long after the Pentagon in Washington was hit by the third aircraft, that the FAA put out an immediate ground stop on all flights that involved american aviation assets. When the airplanes started to return to their hub cities, the terminals in the hub cities became ground zero as well. Planes had to be off loaded by the ramp agents and baggage returned to baggage claim. Passengers had to figure out another way to get home. As you can imagine, baggage claim areas at airports across the country were a mess. And rental car companies did not have enough cars on hand to accommodate those who were stranded.
"The grounding of all flights was errie, as we did not hear any planes in the air around our house. Only the fighter planes from the airbases nearby," said Joe, of the ground stop from the FAA that lasted for three days. "When flight restrictions were lifted, things returned to normal quite quickly. Our reservations personnel did a wonderful job getting people re-booked. All the airlines worked together to get things running smoothly. I was amazed how everyone seemed to show compassion and empathy towards customers and employees alike."
Of all the flights that we lost on 9/11/01, United Flight 93 will always be remembered as the most memorable one. As a handful of heroic passengers took control of the aircraft from the hijackers, that forced it to go down in a field in Shanksville, Pa. Shanksville is located in Sommerset County. About 90 minutes east of downtown Pittsburgh. We must also not forget the heroic first responders and those who lost their lives in the WTC, and members of the military who lost their lives in the Pentagon.
"There are so many heroic stories of the: passengers, the fire fighters, and the police who sacrificed their lives that day," he said, of the lives that were lost. "I hope we as a nation will always remember them and their families."
Joe started his career with Delta Air Lines in 1968 in Indianapolis, IN,. He also worked at Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta, for 26 years. Hartsfield as you may know, is the nations busiest airport. Delta also has hubs in Cincinnati, OH.,(CVG); and Minneapolis, MN.,(MSP).
"I really enjoyed working at Hartsfield in Atlanta (ATL). I worked there from 1972 to 1998, and wow, were there some changes to that airport during that time. I went from working on the counter. To a sleek modern counter, with chairs for ticket agents to sit in. And, with conveyors that took the bags from the passenger's hand right on to the bag room belt. Without us having to lift them," he said, of his years in Atlanta. "I worked all areas of customer service at one time or another. I think I enjoyed baggage service the most. It was interesting and a challenge, finding a misplaced bag and getting it to its owner in a timely manner."
One perk about working for an airline, is that you get to meet an occasional celeberty.
"I got to meet many famous people during my career. Including: Pete Rose, Jimmy Buffet, and a number of major league sports teams," he said, of his encounters. "And a number of major league sports teams. One of the most pleasant people I met was Charles Barkley (Barkley played for the Phoenix Suns at one time). We got to talk some about his days at Auburn and in the SEC conference.I'm a big University of Kentucky fan,and I got to meet some of the great basketball players and coaches during my time at Delta."
So, with that in mind, fast forward to March 16, 2020. While the 19th anniversary of 9/11 will be coming up in 42 days from now (this story was written on July 29, 2020). COVID-19 has involved the airline industry again, too! The after effects of recovering financially are very similar to 9/11.
"This pandemic has been hard on so many people, that I can't imagine anything worse," he said, of comparing COVID-19 to 9/11. "September 11, 2001, was a setback to me financially, by being in the airline business. But, it pulled the nation as a whole much closer. COVID-19 has divided our country and that, to me, is a very difficult problem to overcome. I'm following the suggestions our leaders have set for us and praying our country can see a way to end the animosity some people have for one another."
The tenpinexpress.com, agrees with you 100 percent Joe. While he had to solve more problems than he could remember, he could remember one that still sticks out to him to this day.
"I spent 36 1/2 years in the airline industry, mostly in customer service. I have so many fond memories (and humorous stories), of the wonderful people I worked with and serve," he said, of his career with Delta. "There was a young soldier returning from Vietnam and I got him home 16 hours sooner for Thanksgiving, than his original ticket routing. He offered me a $1 tip, which of course, I refused.That was the best part of my job - finding ways to solve someones problems."
It was easy to understand why he chose a career in the airline industry for a living. He served in the USAF for four years, after graduating from high school in 1964. He served in the armed forces from 1964-68.
"I was a crew chief (mechanic), on the C130 cargo planes. I was stationed in Tapei my last year, but we were sent as a detachment to Nha Trang Vietnam, after two weeks," he said, of his military service. "We had the C130 Blackbirds, and took the special forces up to North Vietnam. Dropped them out of the back of the plane, and then came back a week or so later and used our SKY HOOK to pick them up. It was shown years later in John Wayne's movie, 'The Green Berets'. We lost one crew and aircraft that was shot down and two other planes in a mortar attack."
It was March 16, when the game of bowling was shut down in Arizona, and around the country. And it was not until May 15, that bowling started to make a come back in certain parts of the Unites States. In certain parts of the United States, the game of bowling has yet to make a return. At the time this story was written, New York and North Carolina, are two states where bowling has not made a return yet.
"I was struggling at the start of this season, due to taking the summer off to visit some family in Kentucky," he said, of how his 2019-20 season was going before the shutdown. "I developed some bad habits from bowling a few times on old wood lanes with little oil on them. But, by using a very aggressive ball. It took my coach, Johnny Wing, a long time to cure me. I started bowling better in February and then things were shut down."
He said he used his down time from March 16 to May 15, to paint his house. He was a little disappointed that bowling got shut down across the country on March 16, but understood why it had to be done.
When Arizona got the green light to reopen for business on May 15, from Gov.Doug Ducey, Bowlero Gilbert was the first bowling center to open back up in the east valley.
"It felt good getting back into a bowling center again," he said, of his venture to Bowlero Gilbert on Tuesday May 19. "It also felt good to see the old timers again: Johnny, Barry, and Gary. I missed their companionship, along with the competitiveness they bring to the lanes. My timing came back a lot sooner than I thought it would after the lay off. I was throwing the ball like I did five years ago, but my Coach Johnny Wing, was still not satisfied were my game needed to be."
He started to bowl at the age of 12, and bowled one year in a junior league. He remembers he just missed out on winning high average, but he did get most improved. His dad bought him his first ball as a Christmas present in 1960, and to this day still has it. It was a Satellite that was produced by Ebonite.
"I had my first bag and shoes until a few years ago. I donated some things to the youth bowlers at Country Club Bowl in Mesa, and didn't realize they were in there," he said, of his beginning in bowling. "I didn't bowl in another league until I was 32. I had some health issues at that time, and didn't take the sport seriously again until 1986. My wife, Phyllis and I, moved to Mesa in 1986, after living in Atlanta for 26 years. We bowled together and won some league championships in Atlanta, and jumped right back into bowling when I got to Arizona."
The one thing he noticed right away after settling down in the east valley, was the wealth of bowling talent that there was in Arizona.
"I was at the ABC nationals one year and would look at the achievement boards. And, I noticed all of the names of the guys I bowled in the same league with. Again, the valley is a hotbed of great bowlers," he said, of the talent in Arizona. "I was able to get some good advise from men like: Jordan Nassberg, Ron and Karl Simonis and I made more improvements to my game. I really started to feel like I belonged in Arizona, when Dale Vickman, and Roger Horton invited me to bowl on their team. Another leap forward came when Kirk Tupper started helping me. He really taught me a lot about the game. He was instrumental in me getting elected to the Mesa Metro Hall of Fame (MMA) in 2013. I don't think I have the numbers required for the AZ State HOF, but if I keep getting lessons from Johnny Wing, I might make it. Along with Johnny, we have a great team. In Barry and Gary. Hopefully, we can continue to have success again, once the leagues start up again."
When he was growing up in Indianaoplis, IN., Dick Weber was his childhood idle. Before he found fame in St.Louis.
"I used to watch bowling with my dad, and I always liked it when Dick Weber won a bowling tournament. He had delivered mail in Indianapolis, before making it big in bowling," he said, of his idle. "I think he was the best for a long time and showed great sportsmanship. What success I've had in bowling, is mostly due to the support I have received from my wife, Phyllis. Although I have had 21 300 games, 10 of which were sanctioned, she didn't get to see one, until a couple of years ago. Of my four sanctioned 800's, she has only witnessed one of them. I think she needs to get out more often. I am most proudest of my making an All-Star team with the ACBA for six consecutive years. There were many great bowlers on those teams and I was fortunate to be able to compete with them."
However, during the pandemic, it has not been all doom and gloom for bowling in Arizona. On Sunday July 19, 2020 at Glenfair Lanes in Glendale. Wesley Low Jr., recorded the first ever 900 series in the Cactus State. He did this while bowling in the Ponderosa Classic, and on three different pairs of lanes.
"I started getting good at bowling only after I learned that showing good sportsmanship was more important than being good at a sport. I think all bowlers have a goal of shooting a 900 series," he said, of Arizona's first 900 series. "I always thought Brett Wolfe would be the first to do it in Arizona. But, Wesley Low beat him to it. Great shooting Wesley!".
While he wanted to finish out the 2019-20 season. He thinks the powers-to-be, made the right choice when the game of bowling was shut down on March 16.
"I really wanted to finish the season, but I think our nation's leaders made the right decisions for us," he said, of the CDC guide lines. "I used the time off to paint my house. And I'm here to tell you as a 73 year-old, it's pretty shaky on a 20 foot ladder. After wasting some money on a small paint sprayer. My old friend from Indianapolis came to my rescue, with a pro model and we made quick work of it."
When he worked for Delta in Atlanta for 26 years, the Peach State is also where he began to bowl in leagues on a regular basis. He says while the competition level was good in Georgia, it wasn't the same competitive wise as it is in the valley.
"There weren't as many great bowlers in the Atlanta area as there is here in the valley. A lot of good bowlers, but maybe just a notch below the quality of the bowlers we have here," he remembers, of the leagues he bowled in there. "The leagues were just as competitive though. My last couple of years in Atlanta, I watched a young kid bowling with his Grandfather who owned the bowling center. That kid, Jason Stemer, is now a star on the PBA tour."
And, what was the biggest change he had to make from bowling in Atlanta to bowling in the valley?
"The biggest change I had to make since coming to the valley, was working on my mental game. If I wanted to win here, I had to learn to make the adjustments quicker. These guys here, won't let you take two frames to make a move - they will pounce on you, and won't let up," he said, of the difference."If I look at me shooting a 254, granted it is a good game I bowled. But, if my opponent throws a 268, it is still a loss. I don't know how many orders of french fries I had to buy Barry Gillituk Sr., after shooting a big game, and it was not being big enough."
Of the 10 sanctioned 300 games he has rolled during his bowling career. It will be the first 300 he rolled in Atlanta at Embassy Row Lanes in Forest Park, GA., that he will remember the most. His rolled his most recent 300 game at Bell Lanes in Sun City. He rolled his first 800 series in Atlanta at Fayetteville Lanes, and his most recent 800 at Bowlero Mesa.
"One of my most memorable moments in bowling, has to be my first 300 game. I was bowling pot games in Atlanta when I did it and one of my opponents was waving a ten dollar bill," he said, of his first 300 game. "He was doing this, to put some added pressure on me. I finished it off, and collected the bucks. As for things I want to do, I only bowl a few Strike Force Tournaments, but I would like to win one while I'm still young. I also want Johnny Wing and I to bowl a 300 game together."
While he misses the atmosphere while working at Atlanta Hartsfield and Phoenix Sky Harbor International airports provided him. He wishes customer service skills were provided the same way today, as they were 36 1/2 years ago.
"I wish customer service was the same today, as it was back when I was young. But, I don't think it will ever return. I have ideas as to what happened, but I can not see a remedy for the thought process that is prevalent today," he said, of today's customer service skills. "I guess we have to set good examples and hope for the best."
If he did not have the game of bowling to fall back on, and relieve the stress that dealing with people on a daily basis brought on all of those years. He would not have become as successful in the game as he has.
"Bowling has meant a lot to me. It started with a desire to make my dad proud of me, and that blossomed into a lifetime love of the game. Along the way, I met many great people who taught me how to bowl well, but more importantly. How to live life well by treating others well," he said, of his years in the game. "I see that happening today, with the young people in the game. The past few weeks, I have bowled against young men who used two hands -one a righty, and one a lefty. They have more talent than I ever had, but I was able to stay up with them. Even giving them 40 plus years in age, I managed to split games and totals with them. They were gracious in victory and defeat. I think our sport is in good hands."
State Of Arizona Bowling News - July 29, 2020.