October 1, 2009

Sullenberger, Skiles reunite for USAirways LGA flight

Captain Chesley B. Sullenberger III and co-pilot Jeff Skiles today will fly US Airways Flight 1427 from LaGuardia Airport, the second time they’ll share the cockpit since their heroic Hudson River landing after hitting a flock of fat Canadian geese.

(Update: The pilots first shared a cockpit this morning according to the Daily News, which had a reporter on board the flight to LaGuardia from Charlotte, N.C.

“It’s good to be back in New York. It’s good to be back at work,” Sullenberger said at a news conference ahead of today’s flight to Charlotte, scheduled for 12:59 p.m. “New York and New Jersey have been very good to us. Not only on Jan. 15, but since.”

Sullenberger also singled out the private ferry company that was the first on scene to help with the rescue. “I want to mention in addition to the crew and the first responders, NY Waterway. The first ferry was there within less than four minutes after we stopped in the river, and it was largely due to their efforts that the outcome was so good.”

Earlier this year, NY Waterway repackaged its skyline cruise to include “the actual site of the dramatic rescue when US Airways Flight 1549 ditched into the icy Hudson.”

Correction as of 12:45 p.m., Oct. 1: This story was changed to state the afternoon flight will be their second since January, not the first as US Airways earlier announced.)

Earlier: NY Waterway warns of bankruptcy, seeks takeover
US Airways 1549, on a barge, on live webcam now
USAirways 1549 out of Hudson River before midnight
Must-read passengers’ account of chaotic evacuation
NY Waterway honored as first rescue boat at USAir1549
Excerpts of the coverage of USAir’s Hudson landing
US Airways plane crashes in Hudson River near Intrepid

October 1, 2009 11:25 AM in Arrivology, Midtown, Out of Manhattan, Tours

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