Air Florida comparison
My congratulations, too. Just a couple of points.
Several posters have wondered why the ditching outcome here was so different from that with Air Florida in the Potomac. Two reasons. The US Airways flight appears to have gained 3000 feet of altitude before descending. Air Florida never made it up to more than a hundred or so feet. So more time for the US Airways crew to manouver. And second, on its way down, the Air Florida plane clipped one of the Fourteenth Street bridges across the river -- which inflicted damage that may have prevented any prolonged ability for it to float.
Also, as to the question about why so few passengers appear to be wearing life vests. It is possible that this plane wasn't equipped with them -- relying on seat cushions, instead.
Wonderful result and story all around! Kudos!