Pilots Honor ‘Miracle on Hudson’ Crew, Other Safety Heroes

by James Parks, Aug 15, 2009

ALPA honored the crew of US Airways Flight 1549.

They are the everyday unsung heroes who fly planes around the world and, with the help of their crews, keep millions of passengers safe. The Air Line Pilots last week gave some of them their due, honoring them at the union’s 55th Air Safety Awards banquet. The awards were given for outstanding work in the fields of safety, security, pilot assistance, as well as extraordinary acts of airmanship and courage.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of ALPA’s first-ever Distinguished Crew Safety Award to the crew of US Airways Flight 1549. The crew was responsible for the “Miracle on the Hudson” in which 155 people survived an emergency landing of the Airbus A320 in the icy Hudson River in January.

Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who piloted Flight 1549 to safety, told the audience:

I am very happy to know that, unlike other appearances we’ve made, I don’t have to explain here what “crew” means.

The crew includes members of the Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA). Sullenberger, with 40 years of flight experience, served as instructor and safety committee chairman for ALPA. Following the US Airways merger with America West, the airline’s pilots are now members of an independent union.

Two employees of Colgan Air and American Airlines who assisted in evacuating the crippled Airbus were also honored along with the crew. It was the first gathering of this entire group since the accident.

Speaking for the crew, Sullenberger said the support of his fellow pilots after the accident was “a heartfelt, touching, indescribable experience.”

I feel a renewed pride in our profession. Those of us who have chosen this profession in life have chosen a noble calling. We act as we do for three reasons: our passengers deserve it, our colleagues expect it, and profession demands it.

Building on this year’s Air Safety Forum theme of “It Takes a Pilot,” ALPA leaders honored a unique collection of airline pilots who set the standard for excellence in the industry.

ALPA’s 2008 Superior Airmanship Award was presented to Compass Airlines Capt. Steven Peterka, First Officer Clifton “Lee” Cain and Flight Attendant Gloria Heurematte for successfully conducting an emergency landing as a result of an in-flight cabin fire on a flight from Minneapolis-St. Paul to Regina, Saskatchewan.

Others honored at the event included:

• United Airlines Capt. Everett “Ross” Miller and First Officer Douglas Cochran received a second Superior Airmanship Award for their exemplary performance in preventing a catastrophe aboard United Airlines Flight 731, which suffered a near-total electrical failure with accompanying loss of all radio communications moments after taking off from Newark Liberty Airport.
• CanJet Capt. James Murphy and First Officer Glenn Johnson were recognized with ALPA’s Aviation Security Award for Valour for their bravery during an attempted hijacking of CanJet Flight 918.
• FedEx Express Capt. David Wells received the association’s highest safety honor for his unwavering commitment to aviation safety.
• ALPA conferred its highest security honor on Air Canada Jazz Capt. Craig Hall for his longstanding contributions to aviation security.
• Delta Air Lines Capt. Bob Hesselbein was presented with ALPA’s 2008 Presidential Recognition Award for his exemplary efforts to advance aviation security. His drive and determination have been among the deciding factors in many of the most important aviation security advancements since the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

 ALPA President Capt. John Prater told the audience they were all heroes:

 It’s truly amazing to see the breadth and depth of our union’s efforts embodied in you. You represent that backbone that makes our work possible.

Prater closed the banquet with a tribute to the late FedEx Express Capt. John Lux, who posthumously received ALPA’s inaugural Pilot Assistance Award for his many years of exemplary service in building and maintaining pilot assistance programs at his airline and for many other ALPA pilot groups.

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