Luxury Real Estate

By Jim Walberg of Caribbean Island Realty

Tonight on CBS 60 Minutes - Captain Sullenberger (Sully) personally told his story to Katie Kourac. Here are some of his unforgettable comments from the interview:

“When the birds hit the plane and the engines shut down it was the most sick and disbelieving feeling I have ever had.”

“I never imagined that a plane crash, with me as the pilot, would be the way my career would end.”

“We were descending rapidly to the water. It was coming up at us FAST. I knew I had to immediately solve this problem. I have been asked if I was praying. My focus was so intent on the landing that someone else would have to do the praying.”

“Once the birds hit the plane, we were in the water within 3 ½ minutes. We went from trying to go back to La Guardia, then to New Jersey, and then the only alternative was the Hudson River. The training took over for the water landing. Touchdown level, with the nose up, decent rate that was survivable, touch down with enough speed to not have a crash landing.”

“We are constantly trained to land in water. If possible, land near boats so you have a chance of being rescued. ‘Brace for impact’, was the announcement I immediately made when it was evident we were going in the Hudson River. Then the flight attendants were also instructing all the passengers to BRACE…BRACE, HEADS DOWN. It was very comforting to know that he had a competent crew.” He was asked if, during those 3 ½ minutes, if he knew he could actually land the plane. He immediately said, “YES! I was sure I could!”

“My entire flying career has unfolded in a manner that prepared me for that one moment.” As I said on Fox News the day after the landing…Sully was the right guy, with the right experience, at the right time in history.

After the landing, Sully turned to his co-pilot and said, “That wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.” Sully was asked if he felt a sense of relief now that they were in the Hudson River? Sully said, “NOT AT ALL! I still had 155 passengers to get off the plane safely.”

And that is exactly what he did! When it was confirmed to him that all 155 people were safe and accounted for, he said, “It was as if the weight of the universe was lifted off of my shoulders knowing everyone was safe.”

There was a reunion with some of the passengers and their families this past weekend in North Carolina with Sully and the crew. Here are some of their thoughts about the event that changed all of their lives.

More than one woman said, “Thank you for not making me a widow.” And, “I have a three year old child that will now have a father.” And, “Thank you for saving my life.” A passenger in First Class froze for a moment after the landing. Then he remembered that he had a young niece - the daughter of his brother who was killed in the World Trade Center. He said, “My family would not survive another loss of a child, so I knew I had to get out of the plane and survive.”

Sully has been asked how he is embracing the name HERO. He said, “I don’t feel comfortable embracing that name. But, I don’t want to deny it either. Something has captured the imagination of the country. People want good news, and this is one of those moments of non-stop good news.” He also told the passengers at their reunion, “We will be joined together for the rest of our lives because of this event.”

His favorite card out of the thousands that have been sent to him the past three weeks read, “To save a life is to save a world. Bless you Captain Sully.”