Well, the discussion on this thread helps prove my FAA/JAA argument, which is JAA has their heads so far up their pooper scoopers with THEORY, whereas the Americans have (maybe/almost?) perfected the PRACTICAL.
Euros/JAA are so brainwashed into "nothing happens without a Mayday", whereas in the FAA system stating your issue will more often than not be enough to get across what you're dealing with. If it does not, there will be unmistakable clarification.
Also, the controller can declare the emergency for the pilot(s), who in this case, obviously didn't have time.
Just to clarify, so the Brits on here don't have coronaries: FAA teaches the whole concept of Mayday, and Pan, etc. But they also accept "the reality of the situation" as an operating procedure, if that makes sense.
Also, as to the calmness of the voices: anyone who's ever been in a "crappy" situation will probably agree, that in the heat of the moment there is not much time to be or sound scared. You just deal with the task at hand-survival!
Later at the bar having drink, that's when you crap your pants on realizing how much worse it could have been.
IMHO, listening to the voices, I think it is the Capt. talking as well as flying, as the FO was probably busier than hell with trying to restart one; as someone mentioned earlier.
Make note of the voices at take off clearance, and from then on out.
Like I said many times before, NY controllers are some of the best in the world. Respect.
For all involved in the 1549 deal, I'm glad it was NY, and not London, cause without Mayday, they probably would have gotten arrested and violated!
To the Euros/JAA I say, it's time to slowly extract your heads from your arses, and get with the fact that the Yanks have quite a few good ideas and procedures.
Maybe working together to get the best of both sides would make more sense, than the current, politically induced "my dong's bigger than yours" attitudes in play presently.
But what the hell do I know. After all, I'm just a FAA trained and experienced Euro, trying to figure out how to pass this ridiculous conversion!