Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger is a new American hero.
He made an incredible landing on the Hudson River saving the lives of every person on the US Air Flight that had just left LaGuardia Airport.
He was in a peculiar spot. To go back to LaGuardia would mean flying back over Manhatten to get to Queens. Kennedy was too far off. Newark was just south of him and Teterboro was very close. The problem he had was that he had no power.
Having grown up in that region I do have a sense of the geography. The Hudson River is actually pretty wide---wider than the Ohio River between New Albany and Louisville. The Hudson also has a lot of boat traffic. Water taxis go back and forth and the Circle Line Cruises are constantly going around. Needless to say at great deal of shipping is also on the river.
The river is also between two highly congested areas. New York City is, obviously, wall to wall people, but Hudson County, New Jersey, right where he went down is the most densely populated county in the most densely populated state. Thousands of people were at risk along with the people on the plane.
Sullenberger saved a lot of lives and demosntrated great courage and skill. To add to all of this, he walked the plane several times to assure everyone was out. The plane could have gone to the bottom of the Hudson with him still on it; he would not leave until he knew the people in his charge were safe.
Water taxis and the passengers stopped what they were doing and rush to the plane. The Coast Guard, Circle Line, and more water taxis showed up. A brave pilot and amazingly good citizens turned a near tragedy into a remarkable 'feel good' moment.
In the midst of very cold weather, a shaky economy, and an uncertain world, a brave pilot and some really great citizens reminded us that there is a whole lot of good left in this country.
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