I called my recuperating brother (on leave from his job as an airline pilot) this evening to make sure he knew about this story.
Conversing about the near-miraculous "controlled descent", I offered, "Now, there's a pilot who is having a really bad day."
My brother retorted, "Oh, I dunno. You could call it a very GOOD day. The plane stayed more or less intact when it hit freezing water . . . AND everyone got out alive."
Give that man a raise.
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2 comments:
Your brother was right, considering what COULD have happened.
When I heard of the incident, it reminded me of my last trip into La Guardia, some 30 years ago, when our pilot had to abort the landing at the very last moment, to avoid (as I later learned) a potential collision on the ground.
I though about that November day in 1978 a lot yesterday.
Oh, he's very right. I am loathe to say it, but he usually is.
He's always told me that landing a plane is just a "very controlled crash-landing". This pilot proved it.
The really funny thing about the Johnson siblings is that we both have the "things-to-do-and-places-to-go" gene (inherited from our Father).
My brother lives and breathes to fly - loves it - and constantly tells me how safe it is compared to getting in a car and driving to work in the morning.
I, on the other hand, rarely fly - and have to be liquored up with Bailey's & coffee prior to take-off. It's not the flying so much as it is the take-off and landing - when you become aware of the awesome forces involved . . . that, and having some control of your own destiny (however misguided that notion can be on the road).
My preferred methods of transportation ensure contact with the ground (or water) at all times.
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