I’m with you on this one Frank - but the amount of grief you take for just asking a few questions is insane . . . I guess I should just drink the Kool-aid and be done with it.
I don’t why LGA was not an option . . . too high or too much energy has a simple solution - the reality is that you and I routinely practice engine outs in singles where we become gliders. I doubt seriously whether ANY airline pilot has EVER determined his glide characteristics or abilities. . … so he had NO idea if he had too much energy or not - he decided immediately that since he had no clue as to how the airplane would descend, what best rate was or anything like that he needed to put it inthe river - no cross wind, no runway limitations.
The press is so ignorant - yeah, like I’d want to even try putting down an A320 on a 7000’ runway [LGA] or a 6000’ one [TEB] with no reverse thrust and limited braking action from the lack of full power hydraulics . . …
All USAir flights operate under America West’s certificate. ALL flights carry the AWE identifier and are referred to as ‘Cactus’ by ATC. USAir no longer exists except as a marketing tool . . . the flight really are operated as America West flights.
The America West livery is gone execpt for a few random CRJ’s out there that made up AW Express. Last of those planes were painted middle of last year. Application of the new US livery to all the remain blue US metal is to be done by the end of Q1C09.
But you do understand that, as erisajd mentioned, that US Airways is only a marketing name. The carrier that survived in the merger was America West and NOT US Airways. Reason? The management of AWE thought USA had a better name recognition than AWE.
Believe or not, you’re not the only one who understands things. Up and until the merger I was a 120+ segment a year flyer on US. I’m well aware of why things were done with the merger and aware of many, many more behind the scenes issues before, during and after.
If he were still on active duty or maintaining a reserve component affiliation, a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) would be appropriate. This however, is not the kind of action that warrants the MOH or the MOF. I don’t wish to detract from Captain Sullenberger’s airmanship, but he was doing exactly what he was supposed to be doing at the time. It’s called knowing your boldface and strict air discipline.
That said, I’ve seen several cases of fellow Guardsmen who’ve been recommended for one decoration or another in connection with off-duty actions be turned down more often than not simply on the excuse that “they weren’t on military orders”.
