Sorry to be so delayed in responding to the numerous questions after the US Air accident. My flying schedule has been a bit heavy, and crisscrossing the Pacific can get in the way of best intentions. Yes, I’ve had many a bird-strike in my 30 years of flying, but nothing ever left more than a dent. None ever got sucked in an engine. Thankfully that really is rare, in general.
I am glad to see The Other Pilot, the first officer, finally being given credit for the safe and happy ending to that flight that day:
(pic courtesy of group on Facebook)
Every time I saw a reporter write: the pilot, I groaned. In the cockpit there is a TEAM, not “A” pilot. There were two highly trained fliers in there that day and the first officer was actually the one flying when the birds hit. Sullenberger took the controls at that point so The Other Pilot could run checklists, make radio calls, talk to the people and the flight attendants, and try to get those &*$% started. The Other Pilot was no doubt flipping switches like crazy trying to get those motors started, putting the fire out…until they ran out of time and altitude. Both deserve all the kudos on the world, and, yes, they were, in Captain Sullenberger’s words, just doing their jobs. Next time you hear someone ragging on the flight attendant for forgetting to put ice in a drink, or scolding the pilot for landing late, remind them that the primary responsibility and focus of these CREW MEMBERS is to keep them SAFE.
