New York, New York - As Chesley Sullenburg's (Capt. Sully) voice came over the public address system (PSA), a cheer went up from the passengers aboard the now infamous flight, US Airways 1549. They were all on board for the restoration of the flight schedule of the commercial pilot turned beloved folk hero's somewhat reenactment when he saved the lives of hundreds by crash landing his plane into the Hudson River, after striking a flock of geese over the New York City skyline.
"Okay, everybody," said Capt. Sully as he took the last swallow from a bottled water in the cockpit of a different airplane but bearing the same flight number, sounding somewhat nervous, even reluctant over the PAS as he repeatedly tapped the glass cover of the altitude gage for the tenth time in as half as many minutes. "Here we go...again."
Only this time, the airplane did not move off the tarmac; instead the jet engines just continued to roar, until powered down by the co-pilot, Jeffery Skiles, which all went unnoticed by the celebration of passengers and reporters alike on board.
"Listen," said co-pilot Skiles to Capt. Sully, who had his eyes closed and arms stretched out before him, as if trying to protect his face from a sudden expected impact in the cockpit. "You don't have to do this."
"No, no," replied Capt. Sully, as he tapped on the glass covering of the altitude gage once more. "Just open the window now. While were still on the tarmac; instead of after, like you did before, to see if any birds are out there again."
