>>...landing on a tiny island runway in the Azores. <<
Not to minimize the accomplishments of Canadians, but 10,800 feet at Lajes would not be a tiny island runway to many of us. Perhaps the CBC was thinking of the Gimli Glider.
Glad the captain was able to get a job in the Great White North after he got out of prison in the U.S.
Anyway, they all have the coveted title of survivor...