Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who piloted a US Airways flight during its emergency water landing on the Hudson River in January of last year, is retiring Wednesday. Sullenberger, 59, joined US Airways’ predecessor airline in 1980. Flight attendant Doreen Welsh, who was also on Flight 1549 when it landed in the Hudson, is also retiring. Welsh, 59, joined US Airways’ predecessor airline in 1970. All 150 passengers survived the emergency river landing in January 2009 when the plane’s engines were struck by birds.
By: EightSevenNorth - 9th March 2010 at 21:35
I recently watched a video on You Tube called Ditch the Plane (which has been since removed by the person who posted it). Many of you will remember it, it was a flight from Libya to Italy (or vice versa) ATR 72 which ran out of fuel.
Was that the one when engineering had fitted the wrong fuel gauge?
I also agree with PMN above, the crew did there job very well and all aboard were saved, but “hero”?
By: Arabella-Cox - 9th March 2010 at 18:36
I recently watched a video on You Tube called Ditch the Plane (which has been since removed by the person who posted it). Many of you will remember it, it was a flight from Libya to Italy (or vice versa) ATR 72 which ran out of fuel and had to ditch in the Med. Obviously due to the height of the waves the plane broke apart upon hitting the water and some occupants were killed which is too bad as I think that, under the circumstances, that crew should be applauded as well. Heroes are made every day but it is only those that the press choose to sensationalize who become famous. Make no mistake, I admire Sully!
By: J Boyle - 9th March 2010 at 18:19
Well done to the captain and Ms. Welsh, I hope they enjoy their retirements.
The other night I was looking at a brochure for a charity I support and there he was, in his spare time he and his family raise Labradors for the blind.
He may be the perfect hero…family man, pilot, supporter of charities, etc, etc.
But, hopefully he’d be the first to admit…
He had a bit of luck that day…
and he was working to save his skin as well as his passengers. 😀
Enjoy retirement Captain S….
By: Arabella-Cox - 9th March 2010 at 18:06
I’ve had a pleasure of meeting Captain Sullenberger in person, and can say he is one of the nicest people I have ever met, and an incredibley brave person for what he did on that day.
You met the pilot of the century in person? Get outta here! Hope he signed your autograph book. 😀
PS sailor of the century is Captain Richard Phillips
By: Ship 741 - 9th March 2010 at 12:37
Hmm… I’m more of the way of thinking he was doing his job rather than being a hero to be honest. I wish him a happy retirement though!
Paul
+1
He did what he was trained and paid to do. An interesting point lost in all the hero worship is that the much maligned (in some quarters) fly-by-wire A320 performed flawlessly without any engine power.
Best wishes on retirement Sully, you’ve got a lucrative part time career ahead of you performing speaking engagements for lemmings.
By: PMN - 8th March 2010 at 22:30
and an incredibley brave person for what he did on that day.
Hmm… I’m more of the way of thinking he was doing his job rather than being a hero to be honest. I wish him a happy retirement though!
Paul
By: heslop01 - 8th March 2010 at 21:48
Congratulations to both of the members of the crew and I hope for a lovely retirement ahead! 🙂
By: cloud_9 - 8th March 2010 at 18:29
I’ve had a pleasure of meeting Captain Sullenberger in person, and can say he is one of the nicest people I have ever met, and an incredibley brave person for what he did on that day.
Many congratulations and best wishes for your retirement Sully!:)
By: Newforest - 8th March 2010 at 14:31
And of course Sully has his own book (if you hadn’t heard!).
By: Skymonster - 4th March 2010 at 19:54
On the subject of the incident, I recommend the following book which is both a very entertaining read and explains the accident, the things leading up to it and the outcome in great detail – it is not a “heavy” technical read but covers the details in an easily understood way without being too simple, and also looks at how the crew and the design of the aeroplane were critical to the outcome:
“Fly By Wire: The Geese, the Glide, the ‘Miracle’ on the Hudson” by William Langewiesche
Andy
By: Arabella-Cox - 4th March 2010 at 19:04
I thought it was 65 in the USA?
By: PBY-5A - 4th March 2010 at 17:39
I’m sure you will all join me in wishing both Captain Sullenberger and Flight Attendant Doreen Welsh long, happy and healthy retirements.
Amen to that.
By: bobleeds - 4th March 2010 at 11:38
I’m sure you will all join me in wishing both Captain Sullenberger and Flight Attendant Doreen Welsh long, happy and healthy retirements.
What “Sully” achieved in safely landing his aircraft on the Hudson was remarkable, but let’s not forget that the cabin crew helped every person on the aircraft to evacuate.
God Bless both of ’em
Sign In
March 3, 2010 at 10:04 pm