"Ladies and Gentlemen, This is Your Captain Speaking"
Posted: Thursday, February 26, 2009
by Gary W. Halsey Sr.
All Season Karaoke and D.J.
There seems to be a rash of crash landings lately with the airline industry, and can you imagine what goes through the minds when the passengers know there is problem with the plane, then they hear the captain saying "Ladies and Gentlemen, this is you Captain speaking, we are experiencing some technical difficulties, and may be forced to land at the next available airport, or in the Hudson River down below us. Please assume the emergency positions as instructed by your stewards or stewardesses as explained before the course of this flight"! Of course it is better said better than that, but that is pretty much the bottom line. Of course I am speaking of Flight 1549, headed to Charlotte, North Carolina.
They weren't in the air but three minutes, when the captain radioed in to the tower "We've experienced a bird strike and I have to declare an emergency landing". What were the thoughts that were going through the passengers minds as they learned about the emergency landing? I would immediately think of my wife and family, and if I would ever see them again. What about the poor captain, Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger, he was in the pilots seat, right in the front. All of the pressures of trying to figure out what the problem was, meanwhile trying to keep the passengers calm, while working out his approach to where he is going to land, maintaining control of the aircraft, and finally if this landing would be a success story, or end in tragedy.
Again, there is that thing of feeling feeling sorry for the 155 families that were on flight 1549 that day. And I was feeling sorrow, for those families of those potential victims. You always hear the same old speech when you board a plane, about "In the unlikely event of an emergency, please read the safety chart located in the pocket in the seat in front of you, and follow along while we demonstrate the emergency evacuation procedures". Well, we hear it, some people follow along with the emergency evacuation procedures, and some don't. I mean c'mon, I have flown at least a hundred times in my life, what are the odds?
They are more real than we obviously think. So, what would you think when you heard the captain come on over the air, and say " Look, we're going down. Brace for impact.' Everyone looked at each other and we said our prayers, and hail Marys were being said" . But thanks to the grace of God, he guided that pilots hands, along with the pilots expertise to a safe, and well executed landing. I praise God for his merciful help that day, and then I thank Captain Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger, and his ability to keep his head, and do what he was trained to do, not to mention the help of the co-pilot and all of the staff on board that maintained orderly conduct amongst the passengers....and thank God everyone was able to see their families again. They, and we, have much to be thankful for.
Again, there is that thing of feeling feeling sorry for the 155 families that were on flight 1549 that day. And I was feeling sorrow, for those families of those potential victims. You always hear the same old speech when you board a plane, about "In the unlikely event of an emergency, please read the safety chart located in the pocket in the seat in front of you, and follow along while we demonstrate the emergency evacuation procedures". Well, we hear it, some people follow along with the emergency evacuation procedures, and some don't. I mean c'mon, I have flown at least a hundred times in my life, what are the odds?
They are more real than we obviously think. So, what would you think when you heard the captain come on over the air, and say " Look, we're going down. Brace for impact.' Everyone looked at each other and we said our prayers, and hail Marys were being said" . But thanks to the grace of God, he guided that pilots hands, along with the pilots expertise to a safe, and well executed landing. I praise God for his merciful help that day, and then I thank Captain Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger, and his ability to keep his head, and do what he was trained to do, not to mention the help of the co-pilot and all of the staff on board that maintained orderly conduct amongst the passengers....and thank God everyone was able to see their families again. They, and we, have much to be thankful for.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Great article, Gary, and tribute to a fine pilot. It is so strange that so many crashes come in groups as they have been doing lately. I haven't flown now for several years--but, at my age, the ground just seems to be getting closer and closer. Ha.Great article and hope you get back to the 'silver'--I'm losing ground myself, so I know where you're coming from.SandraSandra!! My silver is back...I am so happy !! My favorite writers are so awesome!! I really appreciate your help in reading my articles, and I am always excited to hear from you...this was I believe the braves crew that I have ever heard of in my lifetime, and the pilot is so modest, and that is what impressed me. He is definately a Captain that doesn't loose his head in a crisis. God bless his soul...I am so happy for the 155 people on board that this didn't turn out in a disaster, I don't think my heart could have taken that.....I really do feel for someone who has lost a loved one...My wife says that is one of the things she loves about me....my heart. Thank you so much for your support, and I am still reading my favorite writers stuff, and I will be anxious to read your "newest" or oldest...that is what is nice here, if someone does not have a chance to write something right away, I can read their past stuff and still support the writers I love .....Thanks again....You fan, and friend in pen.....Gary.
Like Sandra says, this is a great tribute to a brave and well experienced flight crew. This will go down in history and will not be forgotten. I worked in the travel industry for 32 years and flew a lot, yet each time I climb into an aircraft I still wonder if it will get me to where I'm going. Either way, I know where I'm going, so if I don't get to my first destination, I'll get to my second.On the lighter side, have you read my article I submitted quite some time ago, called "Ten Things Passengers Should Never Overhear Their Airline Pilot Saying"? It reads like a David Letterman top ten list. I think you'll get a kick out of it. Let me know what you think.David, I will make it a point to stop by and read that, (maybe I will do that next) then I can print it out and share it with my friends at work...it sounds humorous, and we could use a great laugh. Thank you so much my friend for reading the article, and I am rushing to read everybodys work, boy, this can be a full time job huh? But it is one that I love...you and everyone else have so many creative writes, I can't buy this variety in a book that is for sure...I will stop by and read the article right now....and print it out.....Thanks for Reading the article....Your pal, and friend in pen....Gary...always a pleasure buddy.
And now some of those people he saved are trying to sue the captain! Good job, Gary...That is what really upsets me about our sue happy society. How can they sue him for a flock of geese? The need to sue the geese!!! I just don't get these people...and they should be thankful they are alive...I hope the judge slams the gavel down on them so hard that they will feel it for a month!!! Thanks for reading this, and now I have to go and read about that...dang...I can't believe it. Thanks for your comments buddy...your friend in pen, and fan.....Gary
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