ALERT!! US Airways crash...

[Matt J]

If I were a passenger I'd be buying a lottery ticket right now. We used to roll our eyes when they did the "in the event of a water landing" speech. Normally one assumes you'll be hurtling into the Atlantic at 500mph and then the seat cushion is only good as your last toilet.

 

[Will B]

I would say that was one darn good pilot. I hope he is able to grant an interview. That was a good ditch. I wonder what it looked like as it hit water it looks like he may have skimmed. I was amazed the tail was still up.

Typically, pilots will not grant interviews as anything that they say can be used in any investigation or pending litigation. Eventually, you will hear from him but not until he has been vetted by everybody who needs to speak to him first.

 

[aggieb]

Typically, pilots will not grant interviews as anything that they say can be used in any investigation or pending litigation. Eventually, you will hear from him but not until he has been vetted by everybody who needs to speak to him first.

this is a quote, i still don't know how to put quotes in a quote box.:angry:

Just caught part of a statement on the local News tonite (sorry - didn't notice wh/ station) and they said this particular pilot, Chesley Burnett "Sully" Sullenberger, is a safety expert - has served as safety chairman of the Airline Pilots Association - and graduated from the Air Force Academy.

I would say - the right man at the right time. You wonder why they force pilots to retire. This guy is 57 and seems to me, being a seasoned pilot could make all the difference in such circumstances.

When I get on a plane, I like to catch a glimpse of the pilot - and I always feel good if he has some grey around the temples, LOL.

 

[Will B]

this is a quote, i still don't know how to put quotes in a quote box.:angry:

I would say - the right man at the right time. You wonder why they force pilots to retire. This guy is 57 and seems to me, being a seasoned pilot could make all the difference in such circumstances.

Actually, the rule just recently changed. Bush signed the papers in December of 2007 raising the retirement age of pilots to 65. The old "age 60 rule" was an antiquated 1950's law.

The push to change the Age 60 rule gained a whole lot of momentum with the Souix City United Airlines crash in 1989. Capt. Al Haynes, who was in the left seat and largely credited with saving the lives of those who survived the accident, had to retire just under two years later due to the rule. The argument was made that all of his knowledge was lost to the airline, and there were no medical reasons that a pilot should have to quit. It's amazing that it still took 18 years to finally push it through.

 

[traderx]

Do we know that Sully was at the controls as opposed to the co-pilot?

How long before the news media "wonders" if the pilot could have landed in Teterboro or some other neaby airstrip?

 

[BayouBelle]

I was thinking today that I'm glad it didn't happen on inauguration day and steal the spotlight from that event.

Hmmmmm. I'm sure those involved would prefer that it hadn't happened at all, regardless of what else was happening. Thank God everyone is safe and back with their loved ones.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I keep thinking how we needed a good miracle story in this country right now. This one fills the bill.

...and with this happy ending to a major news story, the Bush Presidency ends on a good note.

 

[AugustInTransit]

I don't mean to minimize the severity of the event today, but the Tebow (a.k.a. Superman) reference is hilarious!

I made sure there were not casualties before I said it. I mean, it sucks for US Airways that they lost a couple million dollars, but it would've been absolutely horrible if anyone had died.

 

[Will B]

Do we know that Sully was at the controls as opposed to the co-pilot?

How long before the news media "wonders" if the pilot could have landed in Teterboro or some other neaby airstrip?

Stardard CRM protocol in an emergency is for the left seat, or Captain, to take control. While he may not have started the leg he most assuredly finished it.

 

[Smiling JOe]

They may have lost a few million $, but they received more than a few million dollars in return in the way of positive press from this unfortunate incident. If I am flying, I want that pilot, or one like him, flying my plane.