Amazing
With the release of the recording between Capt Sullenberger and the controller we can almost experience the amazing events on that cold, clear afternoon.
For people who *still* have to hark on about whether a Mayday was issued it unbelievably clear that this had no effect on the controllers complete attention to this pilot in trouble.
Just a moment 'Mayday freaks' if I maybe so brash as to call you - do you really want to waste any more time on this point? He told the controller ""Hit birds, we lost thrust in both engines, we're turning back towards La Guardia" What more needs to be said here? HIT BIRDS, WE LOST THRUST IN BOTH ENGINES ... sorry to shout it - but for crying out loud it's an aircraft in grave trouble, it is understood from his words and in the shortest of exchanges required. The professionalism of the Captain, from everything we know in this most public accident, is utturly undeniable. The 'Mayday or not' case IS closed. In fact it was never open....
Also, to bring up the point of not saying the flight number correctly - completley irrelevent in the situation at hand. He is less then 2 minutes out and with the same controller who knows excatly who and where he is. This was perhaps the only mistake we hear made by the Captian and shows he actually is a human being and not an immortal God some of us believed and maybe even hoped, he was. He is close though.
The controller is amazing in this. He has a dozen of more vessels to control when this emergency comes at him and yet he handles the situation superbly. The handling of this event is something we can all learn something from.
It was especially 'awesome' to hear the Capt. just say 'unable' - nothing else is said to the controller after this. He is now completley 200% focused on saving the lives of each and every person onboard and who knows how many on the ground as his crippled jet glides over NY toward the Hudson.
An amazing story.