Such an uplifting story--the local news here (ah, to live in the NYC metro area!) has been covering this like mad, but it's so obvious they are relishing that the stry has a miraculous, happy ending.
And this dude kicks some major ass--he managed not only to safely land the plane in the less-than-1500-yards Hudson BUT ALSO missed the GWB. Nothing short of brilliance.
In other news, did you hear that Andrew Wyeth passed away yesterday?
Living in the NY metro area, we were watching the feed come in almost as it happened (local news picked it up about 25 - 30 minutes from take-off). It's truly amazing.
Connie Lou. You are right, I agree. In fact, I hate "hero" status because a person can only go down from here. I think, though, this guy is a helluva pilot. Everything I have read about his career and training to this point (including glider training in the Air Force) prepared him to make this flawless landing. But it would not have been flawless had 1. the water not been glassy, 2. all the small tugs and ferries had not reacted so quickly. I would say his supremely controlled professional landing, coupled with a bit of luck with the lack of wind and the instantaneous reaction of the boats, led to a this being a heroic effort.
jean -- you are so right. Some airlines have mandatory pilot retirement at 55. What a crock. Had USAir put this guy out to pasture we might be looking at 155 funerals this week. Experience and wisdom are so underrated in western culture. We see the results of that all around us.
photo: NYTimes Online
12 comments:
I know! Could you imagine being on the flight?
They think a flock of birds caused both engines to shut down. Scary.
No kidding! Brilliant.
I feel SO GOOD that the pilot is 57 years old. Older people are too often discounted.
Such an uplifting story--the local news here (ah, to live in the NYC metro area!) has been covering this like mad, but it's so obvious they are relishing that the stry has a miraculous, happy ending.
And this dude kicks some major ass--he managed not only to safely land the plane in the less-than-1500-yards Hudson BUT ALSO missed the GWB. Nothing short of brilliance.
In other news, did you hear that Andrew Wyeth passed away yesterday?
Living in the NY metro area, we were watching the feed come in almost as it happened (local news picked it up about 25 - 30 minutes from take-off). It's truly amazing.
I said the same thing to Lui last night...ha, ha, ha!
The world needs a few more happy endings like this one. An amazing story. amanda
I love it when someone is dubbed a hero! More often than not, it is quite the opposite.
Connie Lou. You are right, I agree. In fact, I hate "hero" status because a person can only go down from here. I think, though, this guy is a helluva pilot. Everything I have read about his career and training to this point (including glider training in the Air Force) prepared him to make this flawless landing. But it would not have been flawless had 1. the water not been glassy, 2. all the small tugs and ferries had not reacted so quickly. I would say his supremely controlled professional landing, coupled with a bit of luck with the lack of wind and the instantaneous reaction of the boats, led to a this being a heroic effort.
jean -- you are so right. Some airlines have mandatory pilot retirement at 55. What a crock. Had USAir put this guy out to pasture we might be looking at 155 funerals this week. Experience and wisdom are so underrated in western culture. We see the results of that all around us.
Bethy -- missing the friggen bridge. Can you imagine? I did not realize that part until you wrote it and I saw the flight path on tv.
I felt the same way! I may start flying out of Charlotte from now on (it's only a few hours from Chapel Hill).
Cameron
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