Sully Takes To The Skies Earlier Than Expected!

Captain Sullenberger earlier this year, when he as given a key to NYC

With all the hubbub about Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger making his long-awaited return to the skies after his miraculous splash landing of Flight 1549 by flying from Laguardia to Charlotte, North Carolina this afternoon, it turns out that Sully had to get to NYC some how. And that was by flying Flight 1050 from Charlotte to LGA at 7:55 a.m! The Daily News had a reporter and photographer onboard for the scoop.

According to reporter Helen Kennedy, the famous pilot said, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is Captain Sullenberger," and "then had to wait for a huge wave of excited applause to die down... Passengers grinned at each other." One said, "I feel like I'm flying with angels... What a great omen. I mentioned him in my prayers last night. I told God I hoped I would get a pilot as good as Sully. This is an answer to my prayers," while another said, "It's good luck. I'm going to Atlantic City tonight. This must be my time to shine." Also: "I'm thrilled. We can land anywhere we want to! I'd prefer a runway, but whatever."

Now Sullenberger has landed in NYC for the publicity before he and Flight 1549 co-pilot Jeffrey Skiles take Flight 1427 to Charlotte. There's also a post-flight press event in Charlotte.

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By Jen Chung in News on October 1, 2009 10:03 AM

Comments [rss]

tingo

I'd pay extra to get him as a pilot. Or to get a similarly experienced pilot. It would be interesting if airlines gave pilot info on your ticket. Charge more for more experience.

Sounds like a selling proposition.

jaycjay

"it turns out that Sully had to get to NYC some how"

It also now turns out that he'd already flown two other flights. So the heavily promoted flight out of NY will be his fourth, not first.

Kind of like when a restaurant chain wants to make a big splash with the grand opening of its 100th (or whatever) store, so they decide which of stores somewhere between numbers 90 and 110 it's best to say that is for maximum publicity.

Matt Joyce

I'm guessing they don't let you get back into a cockpit until the FAA is done investigating a crash that could very easily have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people. Regardless of who you are or how awesome you are.

tom9d

From now on, all pilots should begin their flight by saying, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is Captain Sullenberger." Pilots all sound identical, so no one would notice. That way, everyone would feel better about flying, geese would avoid airplanes and terrorism would end forever.

mattyp4

He's been writing his memoirs, NewHCE, which come out later this month. Aren't you excited?!?! Apparently America is hungry for more super awesome details about his life that they didn't already read in the handful of NY Post articles the day after landing in the Hudson.

Then get read for the Sully media blitz! He'll be milking this "hero" thing until the last drop! If I were the subway hero I'd be watching my back right about now... or at least looking for a new agent!

airtech1

Don't blame Sully, blame the media!

- Sarah the Moosehunter

Kojak

US Airways obviously nudged LGA to give them priority. It doesn't look too good when all eyes are on this one flight and it gets delayed.

NewHCE

What the hell has he been doing all this time?

ides_of_march

In the movie version he'll be hanging out the cockpit window with a shotgun shouting "it's payback time you fucking feathered bastards."