Plane Down in Hudson River - NYC

[malaysiacadet]

hello,

a little off topic here,
I've been listening to the ATC recording of the USAirways A320 incident,

I just want to ask, is it the norm in the US for ATC to read out :

Cactus Fiftheen Fourthy Nine

Instead of:

Cactus One Five Four Niner

Please pardon me for my ignorance, i've only been flying in Malaysia, and the standard RT here is
"Cactus One Five Four Niner"
" Malaysian Seven One One"
"Asian Express Six Two Niner Two"
"Firefly Three Zero Five Zero"

so i really would like to find out.

I am asking because there's a Boeing Plane... Callsign Boeing 37NY .
The pilot said "Boeing Three Seven November Yankee" i was expecting Boeing Thirthy Seven November Yankee


Thank You.