Hudson River Plane Crash: Inspiration for America

The famous Miracle on the Hudson plane crash happened nearly one month ago, on January 15, 2009. U.S Airways Flight 1549 made an emergency splash-down into the Hudson River in New York City. All 155 passengers and crew lived through the crash landing. This was all due to the pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and his crew. Captain Sullenberger has been a pilot since 1973 when he flew fighter planes in the U.S Air Force; he has been a commercial pilot since 1980. He always has been a safety buff preparing for the day that he had no idea if or when might come. The plane was brought down after taking off from LaGuardia Airport when a large flock of birds was sucked into the engines, disabling both of them. On the radio transmissions the pilot can be heard calmly stating the problem and quickly evaluating his few options, deciding that the safest place to land his plane would be the Hudson River. On that chilly winter day witnesses saw the plan belly flop into the Hudson in an act of shear aviation brilliance and courage.

Captain Sully is a hero and his action are an example of the classic hard working humble American, whose main goal during the day is to do his job and do it to his fullest extent. The American worker thrives off of the feeling of accomplishment and success. It is in our nature to work hard and better ourselves as life goes on. For nearly 40 years Sully has been training and putting in extra work just to make sure he can do his job to the fullest extent no matter what events happen in the sky. His safety expertise and dedication to his job proved worthwhile. Not only is he a pilot but he also owns a company that develops safety and emergency techniques for airlines. He has studied psychology to learn how to keep his crew focused and calm in times of crisis. He also is an airline accident investigator and plays a big role in developing safety procedures used by major airlines. On January 15 his hard work had its payday.

The hero of the sky should be an inspiration to all of us, especially in this time of economic crisis. Regardless of what the Obama administration does for the economy, it is our personal responsibility to continue working hard and do our jobs to the highest level of our abilities. Americans and the world should look to this humble California pilot who saved his passengers’ lives by taking a controlled and planned risk. His dedication to learning and growing on the job is an inspiration to all those who work today. Dedication to the job no matter what it is, those lucky to still have their jobs should not squander the opportunity to do more, be more productive. We can only better ourselves individually, and as a community, nation, and world by hard work this has been proven by the acts of Captain Sullenberger. There is no promise you will be a guest at a Presidential inauguration or the Super Bowl like Sully, but you will better yourself and those around you, and perhaps the organization you work for. . America is at its strongest when workers find pride in their work. This pride is not outdated like many other functions of the American infrastructure.

Captain Sullenberger’s inspiration is not limited to encouraging hard work, but for us to better ourselves by working with those around us in our community. No individual’s capabilities to influence others positively are limited. In these times it is each person’s job to make sure he or she is uplifting fellow members of the family, work group and community. Sully didn’t land that plane alone; he had the help of a well-trained, dedicated co-pilot and crew. The job of fixing the economy won’t get done with through one person’s hard work; we all need to contribute and give a little more effort then we have in the past. Restore the sense of achievement in one’s soul and that person has no bounds.

Captain Sully is an American hero by every definition of hero. A hero is a person who is distinguished by exceptional courage, nobility and strength. Not only is Captain Sully courageous for his acts on that day in the sky but also because of ability to keep those around him calm and focused. He is noble because he believes deep in his heart that this event was just part of the job he signed up for. He was ready for anything that day and when it was thrown at him he acted. He hasn’t looked for any credit and he is not trying to profit from the event; he simply wants to go on and continue being ready for the next task. It was all in a days work for him. He is a strong person not only in expertise but also because he showed strength of responsibility. Flight 1549 was in his hands and he knew this. It was his responsibility to make sure his passengers did not come to any harm no matter what. America should continue to thank this man not only for his actions but because he is a shining example of well-needed inspiration for us all.

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