The Daily Nightly began on May 31, 2005. As Brian wrote in his first post it aims to provide a narrative of the broadcast day and a window into the editorial process at NBC Nightly News. Brian weighs in every weekday and NBC News correspondents and producers post regularly.
Brian Williams became the seventh anchor and managing editor in the history of NBC Nightly News on December 2, 2004. Read his full biography.
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A few departure notes from Jordan: first, our traveling party referenced the recent Muslim cleric incident on that commercial plane in Minneapolis -- when we looked up at the moving video map on our Royal Jordanian Airlines flight -- and saw the constant orienting arrow to Mecca. Sure enough, a man was praying in the back of the aircraft prior to takeoff. Prayer is often part of the flying experience on RJ, and I've now flown this airline so much over the past few years (they do, after all, fly to or close enough to all the best "hot spots" in our business of late), I've found myself regretting that I'm not a part of their frequent flyer program.
This flight, on a brand new Airbus A320, is mostly Jordanians. There are about half a dozen American security contractors -- instantly recognizable and now ubiquitous in any airport in the region. As is the case on board many airlines based in the Middle East, there is a man standing in the front galley hallway, facing the First Class cabin, wearing a leather jacket with his back to the cockpit door. He stood there during takeoff and will stay there for the rest of the flight. He is armed. An in-flight security guard. Very effective. The only hint that we're on a non-U.S. carrier (aside from the guy in the leather jacket, the guy praying in the rear of the aircraft and the little "moving Mecca" icon) is the smell of cigarette smoke. I asked about it, and was told that both pilots smoke. It's now wafting through the passenger compartment after the cockpit door was opened to serve meals to the pilot and first officer. You'd think they'd open the window a crack, but apparently not.
Of interest to airline buffs was what I saw off our left wing on takeoff from Amman: five mothballed Iraqi Airlines jets, mostly old 727s, some missing engines. They are parked on a remote patch of outlying desert on the airport grounds. The last time I saw aircraft with that same "livery" (paint scheme) was at the Baghdad airport during the U.S. invasion. Some were simply parked on the tarmac, while others were blown to pieces. I remember a 3rd Infantry colonel telling me at the time that some young tank commander took a little "target practice" and got in big trouble for blowing up the jets -- evidently finding the big white targets just too irresistible after days of amped-up driving across the desert. The Army was not happy that photos of the jet carcasses were published, as they saw it as needless destruction. I believe the whole episode was chronicled in one of the many insta-books published after the invasion by various newspaper staffs.
Anyway, if anybody is looking for Saddam's old commercial fleet: it's in Amman.
The best moment of our seemingly-endless Thursday came during boarding. The three of us (I'm joined by the indefatigable Subrata De and Megan Marcus) noted a man boarding -- and there's no other way to put this -- with my name over his left breast. He was about 40, accompanied by his girlfriend, and wearing a black fleece emblazoned with the NBC NIGHTLY NEWS WITH BRIAN WILLIAMS logo, in full color. That was a first for me: while I'm more or less used to seeing our hats and other logo stuff on co-workers, this was my first experience as clothier of a complete stranger. I couldn't stand it -- too many questions -- so I walked to his seat in the far rear of the plane, and asked how it was he was wearing such a distinctive garment. While I had frankly hoped for a more romantic ending ("I won this in a duel with a man in Beersheba..."), it turns out this member of the NBC Fleece Community was given the garment by his cousin, a videotape editor in our Baghdad bureau. While admittedly a bit of a buzz kill, it's actually rather funny, considering that we shipped a box of fleeces to the bureau last year -- imagining all the while how it would brighten morale for our brave colleagues, braving another Iraq winter -- and it turns out at least one of our gifts... was re-gifted!
Still, what an odd experience seeing one's own name on a complete stranger. What must it be like to be Ralph Lauren? Or better yet, the horse that posed for his logo?
As I write this, it's a bright, cloudless morning at 36,000 feet over Syria -- but it's 1 a.m. back home, and we're so tired, we're not quite sure where we are. It's axiomatic that when we travel, we remain on the home clock. The only time that matters, anywhere in the world, is the time remaining until 6:30 p.m. ET, the first feed of Nightly News. As a consequence, we often end up seemingly working two days for every one in New York. While the events we cover in this region are often during daytime, the onset of darkness only signals the beginning of the workday back home. Sleep becomes a rare commodity, and the flight home is often the first opportunity to collapse. A plane change (and airline change and terminal change) in Paris will interrupt things today, and we have much anxiety over the weather system bearing down on New York, but hopes are high. 36,000 feet, to be exact.
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I always enjoy your reporting from everywhere around the world it make you feel like we can enjoy the trip with you.
Keep up the good work. With you great reporting.
We love your work.
(Sent Dec 5, 2006 3:01:55 AM)
Brian, what a wonderful story! I really like the way you described the flight from Jordan. And the best way to understand Muslim ciulture is to visit that country. As about frequent flyer program, you can choose any airline you want - RJ, AA or FINNAIR.
Brian, it's a great story and you are a great anchor of NBC Nightly News!
Alexander (Sent Dec 2, 2006 8:10:06 PM)
Brian: Reading your blog reminds me of my first trip to the Middle East in 1983. Like you, I rode RJ and enjoyed superior service and food. As someone wrote earlier, more Americans should travel for the experience alone. They'd come away with a more seasoned view of the culture and its politics. But the learning doesn't stop there. Coming home, and practicing tolerance toward Arabs here in the U.S., is the first step in allievating hate and fear. That's the best way to build a multi-cultural society. Thanks for your blog. Keep safe.
Michael A. Burris, Cambridge, Massachusetts (Sent Dec 1, 2006 11:19:23 PM)
Is it just me, or am I the only one that worries that if there is a "visible" armed guard on an aircraft, someone might attack him just to steel his weapon and then use that to take control of the aircraft? Such guards need to be hidden and NOT readilly identifiable...
Airbus is a great company and the A320 was their ticket to success. I just hope they can get through the A380 difficulties and onto their even newer A350 XWB. The one-upmanship between boeing and airbus is a very noteworthy and very much welcomed (environmentally) step forward! GE's role in all of this with there new GEnx engine which immits 90% lower CO2 will be even better!
Chris Eldridge, Harrisburg PA (Sent Dec 1, 2006 9:52:47 PM)
Don't worry about the frequent flyer miles on RJ. As of '07, they become part of OneWorld and your AA or BA plans will get you full credit, as if you were flying on one of those carriers.
(Sent Dec 1, 2006 6:54:50 PM)
People should realize that both Syria and Iran helped the US go after terrorists after 9/11 when the entire world sympathized with us. Neither of those nations wants a bunch of radical loonies lobbing bombs around.
Americans need to realize that the anti-Syrian and anti-Iran propaganda we are fed daily comes from the Israel lobby, which cares not a whit about what is good for America. It's not enough we took out Saddam for them, they want us to go to war with Iran as well.
Jack, Scottsdale, AZ (Sent Dec 1, 2006 6:53:23 PM)
Brian, Make up your mind.Are you the network anchorman or a field reporter?Flying to Jordan to report on world news is inane.Why not stay in NY and let NBC staff do the dangerous legwork?
Bill,Thornville,Ohio (Sent Dec 1, 2006 6:12:35 PM)
Brian, So neat to read your insights. You are a class act and the one I want to spend that half and hour with to catch up on the world. Thank you for all you do.
Jan-Napa, CA (Sent Dec 1, 2006 5:08:16 PM)
While flying as an international flight attendant for twenty years, I am grateful to be out of this stressful industry that is in a constant state of flux - extremes.
It was one thing, to be aware of a potential terrorist hijacking, back in the early '80's, another to deal with the possibility of; an air missile attack, lazers targeting the eyes of the pilots, planes commandered into buildings, an f-18 ordered to blast us out of the sky; bombs easily planted on planes, because of our "back door", radioactive contamination, viral transmission, etc...oh, I could go on...illegal buy outs, pensions waylaid. This is too much to ask of any profession.
Tess Mishaie, Newport, RI (Sent Dec 1, 2006 3:58:17 PM)
Brian,
You are the MAN !!! Keep up the good work :-)
Richard Lam, Houston, TX (Sent Dec 1, 2006 3:44:53 PM)
Brian, why is it that The United States of America is asking known terrorist countries such as Syria and Iran to help establish peace in Iraq? (Sorry, rhetorical question) Instead, why isn't the U.S. or Iraq seeking assistance from relative countries like The United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, or Kuwait. Those countries seem to have their "stuff" together and are prospering very well living both the western life and arab life?
Gary Smith, Orange Park, FL (Sent Dec 1, 2006 3:26:23 PM)
why would you name the two people you are traveling with and refrain from giving any descripotion of them?
Tim Svoboda, Lincoln, Nebraska (Sent Dec 1, 2006 2:59:52 PM)
Brian,
You are doing an outstanding job at NBC--I can well relate to your tales of flying internationally. As a former expat who lived in Africa, I often flew Inter-continent airlines. People prayed often and I flew with livestock and a lady who wrapped about 50 pieces of cloth around her waist--she could hardly sit down! Everyone should fly internationally for the experience itself. May God get you home safely today!
Larry, Campbellsville, KY (Sent Dec 1, 2006 2:44:13 PM)
Brian glad your home safe.
Thanks for sharing your experience on the flight. I noticed you didn't get off the plane as the man was praying. Well at lease you understand the customs of others and respect it. Most Americans who haven't traveled overseas don't understand world culture and respect for all differences. You couldn't even order the pilot to stop smoking. Mecca sounds beautiful. To back nothing came out of the visit. I notice Connie Rice stand in line of the President's view and action in the Middle East. The ball is now in the hands of Iran/Syria as we lost control.
Oh just a thought. Take two ties next time you travel let your wife pack your bags. I think you know what I mean. smile
Jackie Rawlings Riverside California (Sent Dec 1, 2006 2:37:10 PM)
I really enjoyed this entry. I haven't flown on a airplane in almost 11 years and don't think I will ever get on one again. I'm a smoker and don't think I would make it on a flight overseas, less known a domestic flight (I have a tremendous fear of flying). The smokes would keep me halfway calm.
Be well
Tanisha, near Lubbock, Texas (Sent Dec 1, 2006 2:36:40 PM)
Brian,
As Mr. Bastow states you did indeed have some big shoes to fill. I too have been a long time viewer and just want to echo the statement that you are doing and outstanding job. Keep up the good work and God Speed.
Bill Schwartzkopf Parker Colorado (Sent Dec 1, 2006 2:17:05 PM)
How refreshing it is to get a glimpse of what goes on inside the mind of the man behind the face. Funny what a meaningful impact the smallest accomplishments can contain.
Sara K, Richmond, Virginia (Sent Dec 1, 2006 2:04:18 PM)
Actually, I had a flight instructor tell me that its perfectly legal to drop "baggage/cargo" out of the airplane, providing this is done in a rural area where there is no harm to people. Though granted the guy shouldn't have tossed out the poor cat. RIP
(Sent Dec 1, 2006 1:52:34 PM)
ahh,... I love Brian Williams.
"You'd think they'd open the window a crack, but apparently not."
So funny.
Love Tom Brokaw too! Great, smart wit! Too funny. Love them both.
Lina Anderson, Lexington, Kentucky (Sent Dec 1, 2006 1:44:19 PM)
Brenda,
I hope the cat landed on it's feet too. But mostly, I hope the moron who dropped it out the window was called to serious task for losing (or killing, in this case) baggage that was intrusted to him. If it is a crime to throw a small animal out of a moving vehicle, I can only imagine what the fine would be for dropping one out of an airplane.
(Sent Dec 1, 2006 1:26:57 PM)
Brian,
I've been watching NBC news for over 30 years now; your predecessors left you some pretty big shoes to fill. I just wanted to tell you that I think you are doing a remarkable and outstanding job. I enjoy your sense of humor too. Keep up the good work, you're a classy guy.
Jim Bastow, Cranston, RI (Sent Dec 1, 2006 1:25:25 PM)
What a great Fast Times moment! "Dude, where did you get that jacket?" (pause) "Um, from the network." ...Anybody?
Chris, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Dec 1, 2006 1:03:41 PM)
If the pilot is a smoker I would much rather want him to smoke than for him to be "niccin" out and crash the plane. Will everybody please leave smokers alone we are tired of everybody whining.
Daylon, Vicksburg, MS (Sent Dec 1, 2006 12:25:55 PM)
Brian:
Your blog is always looked forward to. Your knowledge and perception are outstanding, and the correspondents you use are the best. Love your interviews-the questions are well thought out and would be the ones I were to ask. Here in Long Beach, Ca. we are still flying DC-3's to Catalina Isle, daily for freight. I recently traveled on 1 to do an airline story. It might be an interesting closing story for the nightly news.
Keep up the good work.
Gene Lassers, Lakewood California (Sent Dec 1, 2006 12:24:06 PM)
Hi Brian,
Having once been married to a Pilot and sadly, a smoker, I have smelled the much disliked scent of a cigarette while in first class on many of my Alitalia flts. Always causes my stress level to elevate until I convince myself it is another cockpit smoker passing his life away.
Oh in the "day" on turbo props (yes I was a former Flt Attendant) the guys could and would crack a window. Infact, I recall one guy finding a cat on his lap as it escaped from the forward cargo space and without a hesitation he grabbed it and opened the window and released the cat saying I hope it lands on its feet. Yikes, times have changed.
Fly safe and be well,
Brenda
(Sent Dec 1, 2006 12:09:19 PM)
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