Former IBM marketing executive Bill Ellmore, who was originally booked on United Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001, has a peculiar way of remembering the experience.
The 14-year IBM veteran, who often recounts that fateful day on social media, told the New York Post Thursday he has never regretted firing an underling who saved his life on 9/11 — and is committed to sharing the tale out of a newfound commitment to bare all.
“IBM’s not a charity,” Ellmore says.
The man who narrowly escaped death was scheduled to fly first class from Newark, N.J., to San Francisco 22 years ago on 9/11, specifically with the intent of terminating the unknowing employee for poor performance.
In a twist of fate, the woman saved his life by convincing him not to inconvenience himself and to take a later flight.
With four al-Qaeda terrorists aboard the hijacked Flight 93, plane passengers overtook the attackers, crashing the plane into a field in Pennsylvania.
A month later, when air travel had returned to normal after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Ellmore carried out his mission and let the employee go — even while consciously thinking about how she was directly responsible for saving his life.
As to why, once again on this year’s 9/11 anniversary, the former IBM executive chose to broadcast this tale on X, Ellmore tells the NYP, “I’m no longer that marketing brand person making everything look good. I want to be honest.”
Ellmore recalled that as he fired the woman, she made one last attempt to change his mind, saying, “‘Hey, I saved your life.’”
X commenters were quick to slam Ellmore, with one writing, “You should be ashamed of yourself.”