Let me acknowledge the fact that some readers of this post will vehemently disagree with what I’m about to say. Others may get angry or upset or simply shake their heads with the disappointment of my “just not getting it”. I’m going in with my eyes open here so all your emotions, both in agreement or opposition, are warmly welcome.
Here’s the thing – what happened to US Airways flight 1549 was not a “miracle”. It simply wasn’t, and I believe that we’ve gotten a bit cavalier in the use and application of such a term.
Now before your feathers get into full ruffle, understand that I am overjoyed by yesterday’s outcome! I personally have been a passenger on two near-crashes and cringe every time the news flashes imagery of a downed plane. As someone who has flown more than I’d care to admit, I will be honest that I think of what might happen (and how I’d react) each and every time I fly. Â Every single time.
But the facts as we know them are this. Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger is an extremely well trained, highly experienced pilot and air safety consultant who did his job flawlessly. His flight crew? Performed flawlessly. The passengers? With some limited exceptions, performed flawlessly. The ferry, tugboat and emergency crews? Performed flawlessly. Â
So let’s not focus on divine intervention. Let’s instead attribute the outcome to everyone doing exactly the right thing at exactly the right moment. Training, experience, leadership, strength, empathy, selflessness. These are the attributes we strive for as professionals and individuals. These are the ideals we attempt to reinforce in the minds and hearts of our employees, our friends, our families. And we do all of this in preparation for whatever we might encounter, hoping that it will be enough to get us through with grace.
So I, for one, will take this brief moment to stand up and applaud those who actually got it right! And the next time I board a plane and give the crew a warm smile, I’ll be thinking of Captain Sully and all those others who performed so well under such duress.
Congratulations to them all and let’s keep the conversation going.
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15 Comments
Mark,
Great read! Sully is a hero. As you noted, he, the crew, the ferry/tugboat personnel, and even the passengers did their jobs flawlessly.
I’m not claiming divine intervention, but I do think that in and of itself is a bit of a miracle. I’m not a pilot, but something tells me landing a plane on the water in the fashion that Sully did is no easy feat. He could have put the same amount of effort and skill into it and had a far less pleasant outcome, simply because of forces outside of his control.
I’m not trying to take away from everyone and their incredibly on-point actions. They undoubtedly are what saved the lives of everyone on that plane. I do think, though, that some forces that are/were outside of everyone’s control played a role in the outcome.
Again, great post.
- Chris
‘Miracle,’ like ‘tragedy,’ is a word that’s misused. A miracle is something impossible, something that has no explanation, and clearly, Sully’s and everyone else’s actions were not impossible to achieve. You’re right that they did the right thing at the right time and they should be applauded for that. But I agree with you; not a miracle. An amazing story with a happy ending, yes, and something that will remain with everybody on board for the rest of their lives.
Right on. I’m a pastor, and I agree with you. Hats off to Sully and the rescuers. This was not a miracle; it was the fruit of dedicated preparation, rapid decision making, and flawless execution, thank God.
Excellent post. Thanks.
Bill Giovannetti
Here, here! Regardless of your religious beliefs, I think it does a disservice to the people who stepped up and were amazing when you run around calling their actions a miracle. These people deserve praise, gratitude, and acknowledgment.
Right on! Training and expertise cannot be minimized. When an employer decides to drop 500 vendors in favor of one HRO that has a more appealing price, what is often overlooked is the value that comes from that accumlated expertise resident in the different vendors. All specialists, perhaps doing just one task really well. Swap that out with a generalist that does all functions mildly OK and you will be fine… until your plane is going down.
Nice post Mark. I wish more people viewed stewards and stewardesses as trained professionals there to providing safety, first and foremost, than someone that is just there to fetch them a beverage.
“Miracle” is simply a human word for the ordinary. You’re exactly right Mark: these ordinary folks performed ordinary activities flawlessly in an extraordinary event and survived. Hmmm – makes you think about how much better the world would be if humans stopped gazing to the heavens looking for miracles and salvation and just got down to the serious work of ordinary living.
Mark;
I don’t think you can categorically claim that something is “not” a miracle.
Perhaps if you or I were on the plane, we might call it that.
Why would you want to take away someone else’s belief in miracles? Let them think it was a miracle and kindly disagree.
I do understand your position however. But why make a big fuss about how overjoyed folks are and how they use the word miracle.
Let’s not make that a politically incorrect word.
Mike
Seems to me by the same logic one can’t categorically claim something IS a miracle either…
Nice post. I imagine that as the story evolves, many people will have played key roles – from the pilot landing the plane beautifully to the plane staff and passengers. I look forward to the stories from those in the plane.
I for one am tired of everything good being a miracle, everyone who does something terrific – and selfless – being a hero and everything bad being evil. Depending on what you believe, life is a series of events. God’s hand may be a part of it, or not.
I am simply thrilled that this event ended well, and applaud those who worked their plan to take care of each other.
Well stated and accurate thoughts, Mark. Divine intervention probably not applicable, but well done to everyone for coming out of the mess whole.
Now we can start the major bitching that will occur about whatever poor bird was killed and what we should or shouldn’t do to protect the air planes and other flying things that will be sure to ensue.
I already saw one sarcastic comment that asked if PETA had referred to birds as “air kitties” yet…
Rumor has it, Captain Sully is now being courted by several HRO providers
Absolutely fantastic responses everyone and thank you for providing your personal opinions. I’m frankly quite surprised that there aren’t more who disagree with this position. Perhaps my favorite quote thus far was from Jeff Koetje, who said -
“…makes you think about how much better the world would be if humans stopped gazing to the heavens looking for miracles and salvation and just got down to the serious work of ordinary living.”
One other thing. I did misspeak one thing – there was a miracle, namely that a 40 year veteran of the air was still an active and working commercial pilot. That’s pretty miraculous.
Thanks again all – Mark
Mark –
Right, not a miracle at all, but it made for a good headline.
This man is not only a great pilot and hero, but I’m so impressed with his leadership ability. And he wasn’t born with some kind of “right stuffâ€â€¦ it was a result of a lifetime of experience.
Agree totally that this is not a miracle – especially if you understand that term to be something involving divine intervention. You know what, though? It’s even more amazing and awesome this all worked out given it wasn’t a miracle. Cliche or not, “To err is human”…. it’s a cliche for a reason… and it’s true. For so many people to be perfect at the same critical point in time is simply awesome (in the true sense of the word, not the valley-girl thing).