Jumpseat: US Airways Flight 1549

Les Abend

Monday, November 09, 2009 at 11:23 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The "Miracle on the Hudson" was not a miracle but a direct result of the exceptional skills, rigorous training, and seamless crew coordination between Captain Sullenberger and First Officer Jeff Skiles.
The incident highlighted the critical importance of the co-pilot (first officer) as an invaluable resource in the cockpit, with Jeff Skiles' swift execution of emergency procedures being crucial to the successful outcome.
The event underscored the professional value and dedication of airline pilots, often underestimated by management, demonstrating their essential role in ensuring passenger safety through competence and adherence to standards.

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One of the best resources that I can access in the cockpit is available without a three-ring binder. This resource does not involve a red warning light, an electronic siren or a SATCOM radio. The best resource that I have is by far the guy or gal who’s seated to my right.

At no other time has this fact become more publicly apparent than on board the A-320 of US Airways Flight 1549. Until that frigid day in the middle of January, First Officer Jeff Skiles was just another resource.