Story of a Miracle

[gotribego26]

As I posted yesterday my best friend was on flight 1549. I can't believe how the stars aligned so I will be picking him up at the airport today.

I was running on a treadmill at the neighborhood clubhouse watching CNBC. About 3:40 they showed the first picture of the plane. My inital reaction was crap - US Airways - as a Charlotte resident I hate to see them named (not that I cheer when I see other planes crash - but USAir flies over 80% of the passengers in and out of Charlotte).

About 5 minutes later they announced the plane was Charlotte bound - so my concern grew - I know many people who regularly fly NYC-Charlotte. I also was amazed that the plane appeared intact and that all the boats where there to help with the rescue and that there were obviously many survivors.

I finshed my run about 3:50 and walked home - 2 minutes or so. My wife was home - I turned on the TV and said I hope no one we know was heading home from NY.

At 4:02 she got a text message - our friend had called his wife from a borrowed cell phone on a ferry - he was wet, cold and safe. We called her and she said he told her that he was fine and that he was almost certain that everyone got off safely. An amazing story.

I sent an email to a reporter at the local paper that a passenger had called from a ferry and was OK - also that he believed everyone was OK. He quoted me on the website - I had not made it clear that I had not received the call but knew of it. In the next two hours I got calls from the AP, Wall Street Journal, New York Post many TV stations and others to see what I knew.

I sat stunned as I watched CNN, MSNBC and others. About 4:45 they announced that it appeared everone was safe and we started to realize that a true miracle had occurred. As the details rolled out it was amazing how much went right after the intial bird collisions (I assume that will be the cause - although they are careful to say they won't know for a while).

My friends employer is sending their company plane to NY today (his employer has not received any bailout money - so I assume this is OK). He will be flying home this afternoon - I will be drving his wife and three sons to the airport to pick him up today - and I'll drive his car home.

[gsabc]

Wow. Glad your friend (and everyone else, for that matter) are okay. I've been wondering if any of SIL's old buddies from Fort Bragg were involved. I will inquire.

[silverscreenselect]

Under these conditions, the risk of exposure is probably the biggest worry. That's why so few people survived the sinking of the Titanic. Having said that, New York City is probably the best place in the world for something like that to occur because the city has prepared itself by now for virtually every civil defense contingency. I think New Yorkers keep their eyes and ears open all the time for something that might happen to be prepared to respond.

I'm glad your friends were okay.

[Jeemie]

Under these conditions, the risk of exposure is probably the biggest worry. That's why so few people survived the sinking of the Titanic. Having said that, New York City is probably the best place in the world for something like that to occur because the city has prepared itself by now for virtually every civil defense contingency. I think New Yorkers keep their eyes and ears open all the time for something that might happen to be prepared to respond.

I'm glad your friends were okay.

Exactly.

The "miracle" occurred because of the great preparation of the city and the great skills of the pilot and crew.

[BackInTex]

Truly amazing. I'm glad everyone made it out safely (with a few minor injuries I've heard of).


What I find amazing is that this small community here had two people who knew separate folks on that one single plane.

tribe and tmitsss

And we even had 1 member who's family witnessed it going down (slam).

[peacock2121]

The local news here is from NY. There is just such pride in how the city handled it all.

It is a joy to watch.

[Bob Juch]

Under these conditions, the risk of exposure is probably the biggest worry. That's why so few people survived the sinking of the Titanic. Having said that, New York City is probably the best place in the world for something like that to occur because the city has prepared itself by now for virtually every civil defense contingency. I think New Yorkers keep their eyes and ears open all the time for something that might happen to be prepared to respond.

I'm glad your friends were okay.

Exactly.

The "miracle" occurred because of the great preparation of the city and the great skills of the pilot and crew.

You have to give credit to NYWaterways too, plus that the plane landed (watered?) almost next to their Midtown Manhattan terminal.

[SportsFan68]

People will be asking to fly on whatever plane Sully's piloting.

[marriedmefliesfree]

Wow...glad to hear that your friend is safe and sound, and I'm glad for you that you will get to see him arriving home! I think tmitsss said a friend of his was on board also?

It is a surreal feeling, isn't it...what you described as you realized that it may be hitting close to home. I remember the same feeling on 9/11, when the first reports started trickling in that a Boston departure may have been one of the planes that went to Manhattan. My best friend and roommate at the time was working a flight that left Boston early that morning, and of course it was some time before we knew that he was safe. As it turned out, he had gone to the airport on the same shuttle as that crew, and his airplane took off just behind that ill-fated jet. It's tragic all the way around, but has a different depth when it may involve someone you know and love.

[themanintheseersuckersuit]

Wow...glad to hear that your friend is safe and sound, and I'm glad for you that you will get to see him arriving home! I think tmitsss said a friend of his was on board also?

It is a surreal feeling, isn't it...what you described as you realized that it may be hitting close to home. I remember the same feeling on 9/11, when the first reports started trickling in that a Boston departure may have been one of the planes that went to Manhattan. My best friend and roommate at the time was working a flight that left Boston early that morning, and of course it was some time before we knew that he was safe. As it turned out, he had gone to the airport on the same shuttle as that crew, and his airplane took off just behind that ill-fated jet. It's tragic all the way around, but has a different depth when it may involve someone you know and love.

Yes I did have a friend on the plane. In your hometown if you are in a major plane crash they put your picture on the front page of the paper

[peacock2121]

Wow...glad to hear that your friend is safe and sound, and I'm glad for you that you will get to see him arriving home! I think tmitsss said a friend of his was on board also?

It is a surreal feeling, isn't it...what you described as you realized that it may be hitting close to home. I remember the same feeling on 9/11, when the first reports started trickling in that a Boston departure may have been one of the planes that went to Manhattan. My best friend and roommate at the time was working a flight that left Boston early that morning, and of course it was some time before we knew that he was safe. As it turned out, he had gone to the airport on the same shuttle as that crew, and his airplane took off just behind that ill-fated jet. It's tragic all the way around, but has a different depth when it may involve someone you know and love.

Yes I did have a friend on the plane. In your hometown if you are in a major plane crash they put your picture on the front page of the paper

And, you don't have to die for them to do that!

[gotribego26]

Wow...glad to hear that your friend is safe and sound, and I'm glad for you that you will get to see him arriving home! I think tmitsss said a friend of his was on board also?

It is a surreal feeling, isn't it...what you described as you realized that it may be hitting close to home. I remember the same feeling on 9/11, when the first reports started trickling in that a Boston departure may have been one of the planes that went to Manhattan. My best friend and roommate at the time was working a flight that left Boston early that morning, and of course it was some time before we knew that he was safe. As it turned out, he had gone to the airport on the same shuttle as that crew, and his airplane took off just behind that ill-fated jet. It's tragic all the way around, but has a different depth when it may involve someone you know and love.

His plane arrived about 2 hours earlier than expected - I think he enjoyed coming to a private terminal with no media - apparently the bigger companies drew some media presence at the general aviation terminal. I think he is still stunned. He will be over for Black & Tans tomorrow night - he has promised to talk then. He did proudly show me his boarding pass from Flight 1549 - Janaury 15, 2009

[secondchance]

He did proudly show me his boarding pass from Flight 1549 - Janaury 15, 2009

One word: EBAY


(Four more words: thank goodness he's ok.)

[MarleysGh0st]

He did proudly show me his boarding pass from Flight 1549 - Janaury 15, 2009

One word: EBAY


(Four more words: thank goodness he's ok.)

I bet there'd be a lot of bidders!

However, I also bet that none of the passengers are going to want to part with that souvenir.

[bondguy007]

It was a miracle to hear everyone survived. God bless everyone involved.

[Ritterskoop]

His plane arrived about 2 hours earlier than expected - I think he enjoyed coming to a private terminal with no media - apparently the bigger companies drew some media presence at the general aviation terminal. I think he is still stunned. He will be over for Black & Tans tomorrow night - he has promised to talk then. He did proudly show me his boarding pass from Flight 1549 - Janaury 15, 2009

Folks here would love to have a pic of that boarding pass for publication. Drop me an email at work if this is possible.

eritters
AT
charlotteobserver.com

tHANKS.

[peacock2121]

Was he on Larry King last night?

Was his co-worker?

[gotribego26]

Was he on Larry King last night?

Was his co-worker?

No he was drinking Pinot at my house - he has no interest in being in the media - I've done what I can to honor that desire.

He had no co-workers on the plane.

[SportsFan68]

Was he on Larry King last night?

Was his co-worker?

No he was drinking Pinot at my house - he has no interest in being in the media - I've done what I can to honor that desire.

He had no co-workers on the plane.

Oh, sure, hog the lafrigerator all to yourself.