US 1549
There is nothing worse than hearing that a plane has gone down. Those few minutes clawing at any information you can get are gut-wrenching. Yet, somehow out on the Hudson river last week while floating along there were many people who managed to barely get wet. Call it what you will, a miracle, luck, act of God- at the end of the day we are all grateful that what was most probable to happen did not happen that day.
As I sit around the airports killing time and people watching, it is so nice to overhear conversations of thanks and gratefulness and respect- something we airline pilots have not experienced in quite some time. On one hand, it is really sad that it takes an accident like this one to earn some respect amongst the traveling public…on the other hand, I’ll take what I can get!
Hi Andrea,
Last weeks accident and aftermath was IMHO nothing short of a miracle. As a humble traveler I cannot imagine what would be going on in the minds of the pilots out there in the world, but I do know that I, for one, have the utmost respect for each and every one of you. It cannot be an easy job that you do. I do not feel that what is wrong with our airline industry has anything to do with the airline personnel, who seem to be very hardworking and professional. When I am in an airport and there is a delay, or cancellation… I’m put out, sometimes angry but never at the airline pilots. Perhaps I am naive, but I believe they have the traveling public’s best interest at heart. When I was very young, I was on a plane with my older sisters that had to do an emergency landing. We were just little girls traveling alone to our grandparents house. Everything turned out just fine, and I have never been afraid to get back on a plane and fly. I credit the crew of that plane with keeping things calm and we as little girls didn’t feel too much drama. So… keep up the good work. You deserve much more than a pat on the back.
Comment by Melanie — January 22, 2009 @ 1:41 pm