Airplane pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger said today at a hometown celebration that he was just doing his job when he landed a jet with 155 passengers on the Hudson river in New York..he said actually, all of the flight crew were just doing the job that they were trained to do. He appears to be very humble and self-effacing. I think that all of this attention is hard for him to deal with. I also believe that he knows that even though they each did the job that they were trained to do…it still was a miracle that no one was killed or even injured in a debilatating life long way.
The statements that the pilot made sure make you think though. I got to wondering, how many people “just do their job”? How many people do their best or go the extra mile in what they do for a living? Emergencies happen all of the time…so, I find it comforting to hear that the courage, wisdom and training that was exhibited during this emergency landing…was all part and parcel of the flight crew’s training. Still, i think it says something about the quality of the persons on that crew.
I personally believe that the hand of God also guided and directed the whole adventure. Things went very well for an emergency plane landing on water. It was as if everyone had practiced what to do including the passengers. Things really turned out almost perfectly for an out of the ordinary landing.
While the plane crew did their jobs, the ferries also did what they have trained to do…the whole rescue event could not have turned out better. Let’s not forget that the pilots also avoided crashing into a major populated business or residential area, they avoided the bridge on the water…and no ferries or boats were in the pathway of that jet as it came down for it’s dramatic touchdown.
Ahhh…i suspect that each of the person’s on that plane have a story to tell. It would make some book. Wish that i had access to each and everyone of the passengers…because i believe that it would make quite an awesome interview to get the perspective of each of the 155 persons on board. How those moments took place in their heads and how it has affected them so far; as well as, how they think it will affect their future. Why do they think they were spared a far worse fate? Did they have any life changing attitudes before the event and after the event…is their mindset any different after the plane’s emergency landing?
I don’t know about you; but, i am thankful that flight crews are trained for such emergencies. I don’t personally fly…but, i have loved ones who do fly…and they fly often…so; to all of the professionals out there in the mass transit areas of our lives…thank you for what you do each and every day…in emergencies and in the moments of routine procedures!
Write where you are 