I didn't panic, I didn't run around. I just sat there, open jawed disbelief. I wasn't even angry. Then I heard the pentagon was hit, and I thought 'wow, they're hitting us hard'.
Just my personal story, but I just can't imagine much more reaction than sheer shock. It wasn't until they collapsed that I got *angry*.. The same anger I feel to this day for revenge.
I am assuming that you do not work in a job involving a crisis response responsibility. I do.
We immediately made an assessment of our client's higher risk office locations. We made the quickest possible headcount of those traveling that day on business. We evacuated those who worked in high rise towers. We established communications with management employees in a responsible charge for their facilities.
These actions were all commenced within 10 minutes of the second plane hitting the WTC. So, we were slightly behind the White House team and solar systems ahead of Kerry and company.
I was watching on TV, from far away at home. I didn't go into work until the afternoon. There wasn't a whole lot I could do, except get some guns ready in case it didn't stop.