Yes, I was just now looking at the Wikipedia page on 1549 and saw that Sullenberger was also a glider pilot. I think I’d pay extra to be on flights with a captain or first officer that was an expereienced glider pilot. Though to be honest, I don’t think Sullenberger had much opportunity to use his glider pilot skills for the Hudson ditch. The bird strike was at 3:27:01, at 3:29:03 Sullenberger responded “Yes” to TRACON asking if he wanted to land at Teterboro, and the plane hit the water at 3:30:30. Turned out there were very few choices to be made, not to mention almost no time to make them in. Gravity ruled. He sure did get the landing angle perfect though, and that certainly didn’t happen by itself.
No it didn't. Another pilot may have tried to make it to Teterboro (which they had a visual on). Sullenberger knew from his gliding experience that his Airbus would not make it, leaving the tricky water-landing as the only option.
Yes, it was only a few seconds, but the skills Sully had as a glider pilot paid off.....huge.