Comments on: Popping out.

By: Ricardo

Ricardo — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 23:05:26 +0000

Sometimes the Santa Ana winds in the LA area are not so bad. They came up a week ago and brought in temps in the high 70s and 80s all week long. I had to actually open the bedroom window for a couple of nights this week to be able to sleep under the blanket. Now, I’m going outside to give the dog a bath.

This weather usually happens once every January, then it goes back to normal temperatures.

By: Dexter

Dexter — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:59:19 +0000

Did you see the animation of the aborted flight pattern? It was amazing…the aircraft had to do a complete 180 turn to make it to the Hudson…and he set the aircraft smack-dab in the middle of the river….

By: jcburns

jcburns — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:40:20 +0000

I agree that the pilot did a great job and saved lives….I’m almost hesitating to lay the “hero” tag on him because it’s become so devalued, what with people who merely managed to get through tough spots being labeled ‘hero’.

This guy was smart, calm under pressure, remembered his training, had good luck, and executed a plan right the first time. I celebrate and applaud him, but I’m searching for an even better word. Either that, or we’ve got to stop calling non-heroes heroes.

By: brian stouder

brian stouder — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:35:54 +0000

Since we don’t knight people here, he’s certainly a person who should (at least) get a Presidential Medal of Freedom (or whatever they call it)

By: MichaelG

MichaelG — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:28:24 +0000

What’s so great is the series of good decisions Capt. Sullenberger made. Long Island Sound or the River? The river. Just where the water is calm and relatively sheltered and there’s a large concentration of ferries, tour boats and what not to pick up survivors. Some really smart thinking on top of some really great flying. Also he was the last person off the airplane. Sullenberger isn’t qualified to be a NY senator. He’s a resident of Danville, CA.

By: Joe Kobiela

Joe Kobiela — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 13:59:21 +0000

Moe99
I live in in Auburn In.
Pilot Joe

By: Connie

Connie — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 13:55:21 +0000

21 below right here right now. Have closed, my maintenance crew has been unable to get out to shovel sidewalks, due to the cold, antique boilers in the downtown building are churning and not keeping up. Just stay home.

Woke up to find my house at 62, expecting service call yet this a.m. Brrr.

By: basset

basset — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 13:13:22 +0000

Capt. Sullenberger’s resume is on Smoking Gun:

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0115093hero2.html

nineteen thousand flight hours and two master’s degrees…

By: basset

basset — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 13:04:43 +0000

One below in Nashville this morning, and schools are closed.

Another awesome piece of flying:
http://www.wadenelson.com/gimli.html

(big airliner in Canada, fuel load miscalculated, ran out in midair, glided down onto an abandoned airport that was being used as a race track)

By: Jeff (the mild-mannered one)

Jeff (the mild-mannered one) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:29:44 +0000

All America wants to buy Capt. Sullenberger a beer – i hope he’s thirsty!

(Obligatory observation – he’s a Purdue grad.)