Hardly harsh, not in the least!

After all, the co-pilot had OVER 30 hours flying that plane type! And the team had a full 3000 feet of descent to cover the “ditching checklist”, intended for a 30,000 foot descent. And he only had to clear skyscrapers, suspension bridges, and river traffic on one of the busiest waterways in the country. And the air temperature was well over 0 farenheit, hardly even “brisk” for hardy New Yorkers. And every January 1, “Polar Bear Clubs” across the country take a quick dip in 34 degree water. What’s the big deal? ;)

There were other options available, a return to LGA, trying to make it to EWR, or the obvious one that was selected.

Yes it is miraculous that so many cargo and pax carrying planes complete successful journeys, but even moreso when one goes wrong and has a happy ending. This very well could have been an Air Florida scenario!

I once represented the family [on unrelated issues] of a person killed in a public and well-publicized event, and the survivors received 137 overnight packages from law firms offering to ‘help’ with their grief. And that does not include the regular mail and priority mail.

Every one of those law firms is also sending out investigators to locate relatives and friends whom they might know so they can get some leverage in signing up clients.

Thankfully, the USAirways family and accident team in this accident has a simpler task – since everyone is alive and well. A few minor injuries. The worst thing they’ll need to do it help deal with the luggage loss issues. I can imagine the frustration of the passengers being victimized again when they get paid $1 for a pair of pants and $5 for a sweater or coat since they do not have receipts.

For those of you who do experience airline lost luggage, whether the normal or extreme variety, keep in mind that there is no real market for used business clothing so how and where will you go to replace the suits you had that are now destroyed. . . they are not worth what the airlines sez they are, they are worth you the two of you agree upon. Ot what you can prove in small claims court.

“Miracles, Schmiracles!” It’s not miraculous to expect highly paid, thorougly tested, state-credentialed aviation professionals to properly execute processes they’ve practiced for 50,000 hours OUTSIDE their training simulations. (That’s the logbook time for the cockpit crew.) I’d guess their last simulator-based certification entailed FAR more difficult scenarios than a dead-stick, over-water landing with one engine ablaze. Both wings were still attached. There weren’t any monsters loose in the hold, threatening to eat passengers. Next time, give “Sully” something tougher.

THOUSANDS of highly trained and carefully credentialed persons must “work the list” to safely move an airplane from “A” to “B”. It’s even MORE difficult when the plane carries passengers and/or cargo. It happens all day, every day. THAT is truly miraculous!

Years ago, my scheduled line of flying had me working a route that had a plane crash on it a week prior. Everyone died. Each week, when I arrived into this city, we had many relatives coming onboard to attend funerals. Each week, the gate agent would come down the jetway and let us know where they were seated. I have to tell you, what a horrible experience for your airline to have a fatal crash, let alone watch the surviving familes, so full of pain, flying to pay their respects. I, personally, felt like I had a death in my family. AIRLINE EMPLOYEES grief right along side these people. It’s tough.

Best
Anita