So forgive me for saying that I find all this a tad far streched to claim that fat salaries would turn all of us into potential Sully's.
Sorry fellah, I think you missed the subtle point Capt Sullenberger was making...
My understanding is that he did not claim a fat paypacket would make an individual a better pilot; either at a given moment or over time. By striving for better t's and c's he was hoping to recruit and retain the quality individuals who have helped to make and keep the skies as safe as they have now become. There's a difference. I'm pretty sure Sully did not deadstick for a bankers bonus - but the passengers of Flight 1549 may have been lucky that he was there and not pursuing a more lucrative (or less demeaning!) paypacket.