Friday, January 16, 2009

MIRACLE ON THE HUDSON


by Angela Rocco DeCarlo

Watching the story unfold of the US Airways jetliner's Hudson River landing January 15, 2009, filled Americans with an overwhelming sense of gratitude, awe and wonder.
As more was learned about the pilot and crew it was clear this incident - "Miracle on the Hudson" (no one is better than New Yorkers to create instant tag lines) - was apparently the most marvelously competent water landing - ditching is not the correct term for what Pilot Sullenberger did - ever seen.
Reports blamed an unfortunate flock of birds, which apparently collided with the jet engines minutes after takeoff. (Why can't the engines have a fine titanium mesh screen protector?) The jetliner was carrying 150 passengers and five crew members from La Guardia Airport, NY, to Charlotte, NC.
With two disabled engines, the pilots and crew had about as much time to decide and execute a plan of survival as it takes to microwave breakfast bacon - a few minutes. Yet, from among few options the water landing was targeted and executed with superb results.
That Captain Chelsey Sullenberger III and his co-pilot, who has yet to be named, demonstrated that elusive quality many think of as emblematic of the best of American character, and so sorely absent in public figures of late - extreme competence combined with integrity of duty - fills spectators and survivors with respect and awe.
It is impossible to not contrast this heroic and ultimately fortunate event with the sordid revelations of corruption, incompetence, thievery, venal avarice which abound in the demise of America's economic structures - banks, mortgage companies, Wall Street firms, government officials.
Americans are shell shocked by the enormity of bad people doing bad things resulting in the wrecking of the very foundations of the economic systems of the country. So absorbing the elegant and effective execution, by Captain Sullenberger and his crew, of the seemingly perfect landing - except that is was on water - and the survival of all shook us to our socks.
Not only did the passengers get a stay on their own mortality, giving us all the vague notion we might effect some permanent avoidance, but the water landing and rescue by New York City water personnel was instantaneous and completely effective. People wait longer for a commuter train than did the survivors who stood shivering on the floating aircraft's wings.
This miracle was made possible by people doing their jobs extremely well. It's pitiful to admit, but we must be honest, we have seen so little of such competence in our government officials and "titans of Wall Street." The survival rate indicated the crew included people of knowledge, skill, talent, integrity, and a sense of duty. Where do you see that these days?
In government and private business we've seen too much of people who lack all of these traits while they face television cameras and blame others for their failures. This aircraft landing somehow renews our faith that there are, indeed, Americans who still can and do respond with heroic efforts to bad situations.
Reportedly, Capt. Sullenberger, patrolled the interior of the aircraft twice to insure no one was left behind, before he exited his ship. Apparently, the constellation of his training - he flew fighter jets, and is a safety expert - and leadership of duty is what marshaled the crew to make the correct decisions with alacrity.
Luck and prayers may also have played a role. But that's something we can't quantify.
So we devour the news coverage of this spectacular cheater of death.
It renews our sense that "Yes, there are competent people left in the country upon whom we can rely!" We know them by their actions, not by their words.
Hats off to US Airways captain Chelsey B. Sullenberger III and his magnificent crew and all the New York City rescue workers who made it possible for 150 persons to continue on with their lives. They made it possible for all of us in the country to renew our faith in the ultimate goodness and competence of Americans.
Amazing how a near-castrastrastroke can ultimately buoy the entire country.
It has been reported Captain Sullenberger was educated at the US Airforce Academy before serving his country as a fighter pilot. This water landing may have done more to serve his country than any of his previous brave battle actions. Faith renewed in American competence and integrity is priceless.