A real pilot

[mhall]

Fellas did you hear the tape of the words back and forth from Sullenberger to the air traffic controllers in the last waning moments before he put her down? Chilling.... and what was even more chilling for me was this man's unreal calmness throughout this entire ordeal. He talked through it like it was looking for a parking spot in the Walmart parking lot.
Here's a guy that would make a good public leader, he obviously has alot of grit. I'm extremely impressed with this man they call Sully, he wasn't lucky he's that dang good, military trained to by the way. Last words were ''We'll be in the Hudson'', and cool as a cucumber when he said it, Wow.

[DJD]

Man I hope there are alot more of these guys out there. As much as I fly it would be comforting to know this.

[Devils Horse]

After the controller cleared him for Teterborough, he said he was going into the Hudson like he was having a casual chat about the weather. That guy is put together with some serious stuff.

What I like most about him is he doesn't seem comfortable with all the hero business. Looks to me like he honestly believes he was just doing his job.

I remember years ago a plane ran off an icy runway into the Potomac River. There was a lady in the water, a chopper hovering over her trying to get her to take hold of the lowered harness. She was too frozen and weak. The harness kept slipping out her grasp and she'd gone under a couple of times. You could see her weakening, giving up and realizing she was going to drown. Suddenly this guy comes flying off the snowy bank into the water. The dude pounds the water like a wild man out to her and saves her life. I remember telling people about the heroic man I'd seen on the TV. I also remember thinking long and hard, asking myself if I'd've had the guts to do what he did.

[RoadToad]

Yup, he's definitely the guy I want in the cockpit next time I fly, or someone like him. That, and a flight path with no geese in it would be nice

I remember reading about a woman who had her arm bit off by an alligator. First thing she did when she got out of the hospital was go to a restaurant and order alligator tail. Makes me wonder if Sully likes goose? Just a thought...

[mhall]

After the controller cleared him for Teterborough, he said he was going into the Hudson like he was having a casual chat about the weather. That guy is put together with some serious stuff.

What I like most about him is he doesn't seem comfortable with all the hero business. Looks to me like he honestly believes he was just doing his job.

I remember years ago a plane ran off an icy runway into the Potomac River. There was a lady in the water, a chopper hovering over her trying to get her to take hold of the lowered harness. She was too frozen and weak. The harness kept slipping out her grasp and she'd gone under a couple of times. You could see her weakening, giving up and realizing she was going to drown. Suddenly this guy comes flying off the snowy bank into the water. The dude pounds the water like a wild man out to her and saves her life. I remember telling people about the heroic man I'd seen on the TV. I also remember thinking long and hard, asking myself if I'd've had the guts to do what he did.

DH I to saw that clip several times, that man was a true hero! Lot's a people talk the talk and at times a few walk the walk. I remember the interview with that fine gentleman also and said he could not sit there and watch another human being die like that. Gives me chills to this day. Boys we point out the bad alot and there is alot of good out there to and some people that will lay their own life out for your's. It's nice to know they are out there and feel in my heart with God's help I would try to do it, I just hope I never have to find out.

[Tim_T]

Definitely a guy you want piloting your plane.

[Devils Horse]

DH I to saw that clip several times, that man was a true hero! Lot's a people talk the talk and at times a few walk the walk. I remember the interview with that fine gentleman also and said he could not sit there and watch another human being die like that. Gives me chills to this day. Boys we point out the bad alot and there is alot of good out there to and some people that will lay their own life out for your's. It's nice to know they are out there and feel in my heart with God's help I would try to do it, I just hope I never have to find out.

Here here, Mark. You get pretty cynical about the human state of being, but now and again you see something that restores your faith in us. Seeing someone lay his life on the line for a complete stranger was an inspiration for me.

Doing something to help makes you feel pretty darn good. The best Christmas I ever had was delivering donated presents to poor kids who'd written letters to 'Santa'. I read the letters, but one 7 year old girl's scrawl stood out from the rest.

She asked for several things for her little brother, and one thing for herself (if it wasn't too much trouble). In closing she told Santa to be careful, because there was a big hole in her roof. I tried to hide the tears from my wife, so she wouldn't think her big strong alpha dog was really just a big ole wuss, but I'm pretty sure she saw. Anyhow, Santa brought that little girl a new bicycle, plenty of new clothes and a good warm coat.

[roadrunner]

It would be fun to share a boat with him for a day.

[Devils Horse]

It would be fun to share a boat with him for a day.

He'd probably ask you to get the net in a monotone even if he had a 10 lb smallmouth on.

[mhall]

Darn good story Jim, you just made my eyes get moist brother, that was awesome. The little girl thinking of everyone but herself, man that just punches you in the gut doesn't it. Thanks for sharing that story.

[DJD]

It's funny how us guys have a hard time with those emotions huh? Man, around Fathers Day at church the media shows that go along with the messages tear me up pretty good. They know that guys are weak and don't want to let everyone see us crying so they keep the lights real dim!

[mhall]

Sully was on 60 minutes last night with Katie Kurich. I'll say it again this guy is incredible, his humble demeanor and quiet confidence is extremely impressive. You can tell he does not want all this hero stuff, it makes him uncomfortable. I'd like to buy him a beer and be in the presence of greatness. If that happened to ten different pilots, how many would be able to do what he did?