TOM POBEREZNY
COMMENTARY / POSITION REPORT
Was It a
Miracle?
Never take for granted the value of training and consistency
RECENTLY, I WAS IN WASHINGTON, D.C., where my wife, Sharon, and
I experienced one of the more emotional ceremonies that we have
ever attended. We were guests of Young Eagles Co-Chairman
Jeff Skiles. He, along with the entire crew of U.S. Airways Flight
1549, received the National Air and Space Museum’s Trophy for
Current Achievement.
The reason we felt touched emotionally wasn’t just the
ceremony, but the additional insights we gained regarding that cold
day in January 2009, when this outstanding crew saved not only 150
lives on board but also an untold number on the ground.
On the day of the ceremony,
I had breakfast with Sully
Sullenberger and his wife, Lorrie.
Though we didn’t talk about the
Hudson River landing specifically,
our conversation told me a lot about
Sully’s quiet but firm leadership and
his respect for training, teamwork,
and preparation.
That afternoon, Sharon and I
visited with Jeff and Barb Skiles,
But to me, the remarks that night were summed up best by Jeff
Skiles when he said in closing:
“And so, I would like to say to all the many people who factored
L to R: Jeff Skiles, Tom Poberezny, and
Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger
into this success, but most notably to my
crew: Thank you, for the greatest gift I
could ever receive…thank you for giving
me…the remaining years of my life.”
To me, that said it all!
Many have called what Sully, Jeff,
and their fellow crew members did “The
Miracle on the Hudson.” But was it? A good
friend, who also attended the ceremony,
shared a valuable perspective. Was that safe
landing a “miracle,” or was it the result of an
experienced team of professionals simply
executing the job they were trained for…
training that prepared them for emergencies
such as this?
Their actions demonstrated the value
of training, experience, focus, and mutual
respect. Good training addresses the
unexpected, rather than the expected. We
should never take for granted the value
of professionalism in the cockpit and
the importance of consistency in aircraft
operation. Shortcuts are unacceptable; as
the old saying goes, “Familiarity breeds
contempt.” The words that should guide
us are, “Do it the right way, the same way,
every time.” Again, Jeff captured the essence
of this when he said:
“Thank you all…for your intelligence, for
your skill, and for your courage. I could not
have had more capable partners that day…
or since.”
At the conclusion of the evening, Sully,
Jeff, and the crew shared a private goodbye.
As I observed them, I sensed the impact of
the “miracle” on each of them. I watched as
they shared their admiration for each other.
At that time, I realized this could be the last
time they would come together for a long
time, if ever again.
So was January 15, 2009, the day of a
“miracle”? Probably yes. But I also believe
on that day we saw ordinary people
performing extraordinary feats under
the most stressful circumstances, with
much at stake—their lives plus the lives of
hundreds of others. I would like to think
it was the day when another set of heroes
walked into world history, leaving a legacy
that will live forever.
We are proud to have Sully and Jeff lead
our Young Eagles program. They serve as
role models, not only for our youth but also
for their parents, as well as each and every
one of us.
