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The Nation's Pulse
Worship Elsewhere
Why has Chesley Sullenberger refused the mantle of hero?
Despite the media’s best efforts, Chesley Sullenberger has refused the mantle of “hero.” Now, why?
Didn’t “Sully” pilot his Airbus A320 to a safe landing in the middle of the Hudson River after its takeoff was stymied by a flock of Canada Geese? And didn’t all 155 on board make it safely off the sinking airliner, wet and chastened by the intimate knowledge of near death? Well, sure, but — and we’ll get to that.
Sully’s co-pilot had control of the big twin engine jet as it took off from LaGuardia Airport January 15, but when the birds struck and the engines died, Sully took control. LaGuardia was considered as a return point, but the pilot banked left, with New Jersey’s Teterboro Airport in the distance. A slim chance with no power. He veered over the George Washington Bridge and began a pilot’s nightmare, a dead-stick landing in water. The trick is to lose as much speed as possible without stalling and to make that final moment in level flight, taildown. If there was anything going for Sully it was that the river current was running with him. As we know, the plane made it into the water evenly, the left engine giving way but the plane remaining upright in the water — so much so that 155 people could make their way safely through the emergency doors and onto the wings, wet but alive.
A hero, Sully? He avoided publicity at the outset, partly because the Transportation Safety Board doesn’t like the crews of planes involved in accidents spouting off about the experience (the feds like to issue their “probable cause” findings months and months after the event) and probably because he knows what a real hero is. Despite the old definitions about Greek warriors, real heroism requires sacrifice. A hero, by modern standards, is one who disregards his own safety in order to aid others. Sully’s feat, a remarkable piece of airmanship, did not involve his leaving a place of safety in order to help the others. He was one of the others. His own tail was one of the 155 in such jeopardy.
He explained that the plane’s crew was “simply doing the job we were trained to do.”
There are at least 154 others who would beg to differ with that simplification.
If we cannot have a hero, is there some one or thing to blame? Sure. Not too many years ago it was feared that the Canada goose and a smaller cousin might soon be extinct, at least in the United States. Hunters mourned their declining numbers. But environmental efforts were successful until today we have what is in many areas a goose surfeit. Ask a golfer who plays courses in the Eastern United States.
And if you get the chance, ask a goose: “Why, in the middle of January, are you still here? You, migratory bird, are supposed to be south by now.” Somehow the regenerated Canadians seem to enjoy life in the northern states even into winter. Which probably accounts for a flock of them crossing the outbound trace of an Airbus A320 at LaGuardia Airport in mid-January.
About the Author
Reid Collins is a former CBS and CNN news correspondent.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (59) | Leave a comment
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Alan Brooks| 1.27.09 @ 9:41AM
a yahoo headline that day read: "Plane Crash Lands On Hudson"
it didnt crash. you lousy headline writer.
here's another one: "militant terrorists attack Mumbai"
of course they were militants.
Appleby| 1.27.09 @ 9:51AM
In today's world of GrabbyBabies and Generation Whiners, a hero is anybody who does the job for which he or she is paid ... who shows up on time, stays all day, sits at her desk and does what her boss tells her to do (and thinks ahead so her boss doesn't HAVE to tell her to breathe in and out), takes the provided lunch hour and no more, and leaves when the work is completed.
Our standards have sunk so low that we feel compelled to worship people who do their jobs.
And if you think it's bad now, just wait another 5 years until people who believe in "a good day's work for a good day's pay" have pretty much retired.
james wilson| 1.27.09 @ 10:00AM
So you are saying our heroic pilot is telling us he would have done everything just as he did even if where were ferrying the plane alone, because what else was he going to do? I hate it when that happens.
Thomas| 1.27.09 @ 12:06PM
Captain Sullenberger is not a hero and he recognizes this. Much to his credit. The Captain is a professional, a craftsman. He was presented with a situation for which he had spent long hours in practice. His talent, skill, training, experience and dedication allowed him to reach a very satisfactory outcome while making the process look easy. This takes hard work, and a large dose of skill, and for this he should be commended. He is the kind of man that you want in a situation like this when the balloon goes up. I want this type of person flying my airplane, driving my taxi, wiring my home or, even, mowing my lawn. Captain Sullenberger has every right to be proud of the way he handled the situation, but he is not a hero, nor does he have to be one. Personally, I'll take competence over heroics any day.
David Govett| 1.27.09 @ 12:32PM
Integrity in action.
L. Ross| 1.27.09 @ 1:09PM
Speaking as a professional pilot (23 years and counting Air Force active and reserves, and two airlines) I know a thing or two about this. Heroism occurs when you knowingly put yourself into danger to help others in need. Skill and expertise is what you use when you need to get your own butt out of tight spot. Sully was in a tight spot through no fault of his own, and he called upon years of emergency training and thousands and thousands of flight hours of experience to ditch the airplane successfully in a calm river. Did he do a great job? Heck yeah! Does he deserve praise and respect. Yes. Is he a hero? No. The firefighters in the twin towers on 9/11 were heroes. The soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan are heroes.
But, old Sully is a damn fine pilot!
dcd| 1.27.09 @ 5:38PM
The principle quality of a hero is bravery not self sacrifice. Clearly Sully possesses substantial bravery because in a high stress and dangerous situation he did not panic, but rather acted in a sound and deliberate manner. In so doing he saved numerous lives.
He might not be a good enough hero for Mr Collins, but his acts and performance satisfy the definition set forth by webster.
bkmur| 1.27.09 @ 5:58PM
Damned geese. Damned Al Qaeda geese.
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As we know, the plane made it into the water evenly, the left engine giving way but the plane remaining upright in the water.
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