Sunday, January 18, 2009

All Of The Feelings We Have

I'm sure you agree: It's hard to put into words the feelings that this video of the incredible outcome of the crash landing of US Airways Flight 1549 evokes. I think "pride" covers it best for me. Pride in the pilot's skill, luck, and professionalism in the face of immense pressure; pride in the aircraft itself which landed and floated as if it was designed to do so; pride in the fast and talented response of nearby ferry operators; pride in an entire system — both established and impromptu — that came together flawlessly and worked seamlessly to deliver everybody home safe and sound from what normally is something entirely less fortunate.

I hesitate to make light of the situation, but any group of people (passengers included) who can make an airliner crash and rescue in freezing and flowing water look like a pre-planned emergency response practice where everybody walks away with nary a scratch... I'm simply left awestruck.

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