NYT article on Sully

[Dont call me Shirley]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/07/arts/tel...07sully.html?hp
Watch Capt. Chesley B. Sullenberger III on a red carpet, and at any given moment three or four hands are on him. There are taps on his arms, hands outstretched and palms on his back from fans. People want to reach him, touch him, thank him, take the measure of a media legend. He obliges, again and again, even after an exhausted publicist tells him, “Now you are officially excused.â€￾ There is time for one more photo, always.

 

[SparrowHawk]

I have to confess I love the way Sully has handled all of this attention. Sometimes however the "Aww shucks just doing my job ma'am" wears a bit thin.

Just one time I'd like him to answer one of these inane reporters when asked "how did you do it Sully" with "I'm a damn good pilot, that's how" Just once, that's all.

Just to be clear, what just frosts my assets is reporters! Some, partly because of ever tightening deadlines appear to be the laziest people on two feet essentially asking you to write the story for them. I feel sorry for Sully having to deal with those twits and trust me many of them would have to improve to reach twit status.

The ones on TV are the worst. There job essentially is to read the news that's been prepared for them, not look like they're reading a teleprompter and look good doing it

 

[phasersonstun2]

This reminds me of the story of two pilots who flew together quite often, and always tried to outdo each other with practical jokes. After a flight in moderate turbulence and weather, the F/O commented that the C/O exhibited "superior f-ing airmanship" on that leg. The F/O encouraged the C/O to go on the P.A. and tell the pax about his "superior xxxx airmanship ". So the C/O picks up the P.A. without turning it on and gives a mock P.A.

Or so he thought. The F.O. surreptitiously turned on the P. A.

Immediately following the pronouncement of his flying skills, the cockpit received a chime from the cabin.

A second P.A. followed apologizing for the first P.A.

The C/O apologized to each and every passenger as they were deplaning. A female passenger asked the C/O if he made the landing.

"Yes" he said.

"Great f-ing job" she replied.