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To: cripplecreek
Early on in the event several posters here took exception to news reports that controllers had instructed the flight to land at this airport or that airport. A couple of us insisted the controllers would never, ever 'instruct' a pilot what to do in an emergency. We took a bit of heat. These exchanges really back up what we were saying at the time, that the PIC would be calling the shots with ATC doing what was necessary to accommodate the decisions being made in the cockpit. If it were just a matter of saying "we told you so" I wouldn't have posted it though. Truth is, it's very informative to hear how matter of fact the situation was handled by everyone involved. The very first transmission is departure giving them a turn, then the captain responds with the fact they've lost both engines. Notice there is no change in the tone or pitch of either the flight crew or the guys on the ground. I suspect you would have heard just about the same exchanges from any flight involving the captain of a scheduled airline flight. Not to take away from Capt. Sully's accomplishments, but the level of professionalism that's in those cockpits is truly amazing!
17 posted on 02/05/2009 9:21:06 AM PST by jwparkerjr (God Bless America!)
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To: jwparkerjr
Early on in the event several posters here took exception to news reports that controllers had instructed the flight to land at this airport or that airport. A couple of us insisted the controllers would never, ever 'instruct' a pilot what to do in an emergency.

Most folks have no idea what's going on in the tower and cockpit. They've seen too many movies where aircraft are shown with an "EJECT!" light.

18 posted on 02/05/2009 9:23:53 AM PST by TankerKC (Yes we can? I already could.)
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To: jwparkerjr

I defer to the guy with his hand on the stick.


27 posted on 02/05/2009 9:31:14 AM PST by cripplecreek (The poor bastards have us surrounded.)
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To: jwparkerjr

Everything you said, and then some.

Most don’t have a clue as to what’s going on as they are speaking, either. Sully is looking at air charts, his speed, altitude, slats, flaps, trim, weight & balance, managing his fuel, the distances he might need to glide to, doing the math, coordinating with his 2nd, who was, himself, busy, thoughts of family, and the “souls” on board...he was, I’m sure, extremely busy during those 90 seconds!

And yet, he was calm and focused like a laser beam.


68 posted on 02/05/2009 11:03:25 AM PST by papasmurf (Impeach the illegal bastard!)
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