A lapsed PPL and frequent SLF speaking.
I don't know PM and have no axe to grind on his behalf.
I equally don't know Sully the third.
I am not sure that Sully the third followed SOPs to the letter. I don't imagine SOPs foresee river "landings", but you professionals could correct me.
He did, however, appear to get a lot of passengers down relatively safely in what must have been a little bit of a tricky situation.
If Sully the third and PM are always required only to do what is written up in the textbooks, and no more, and are not required to exercise judgement, then why not merely programme computers to do all phases of flying, passenger comfort, and all other aspects of air travel?
When I travel, I actually prefer to have at the front a pilot who can use discretion, judgement, experience, skill, and the same principle applies also to ground staff, cabin staff, and no doubt maintenance staff though I never meet the latter.