Surely they where just doing what they are paid ( rather handsomely) to do??
CRDW, You surely cannot be an aviator and make such a crass statement!
Although the citation acknowledges the challenges they faced and successfully dealt with, I suggest you read Captain David Evans' cool but very detailed description of HOW these guys dealt with this extremely hazardous and unprecedented situation. It is here:
Roger-Wilco | Royal Aeronautical Society interview with Captain David Evans of Qantas
I am in awe of the way they calmly and successfully did their jobs that day. I admire their prowess and I expect this will go down in aviation history as an example of brilliant airmanship by these three primary crew who were ably assisted by the two training captains who were observing them. It will be on a par with the Sioux City DC10, Hudson River A320 but because nobody got any injury it fell from the headines very quickly.
From me it's just ...RESPECT RESPECT RESPECT. Well done guys. You earned a full lifetime worth of pay that day.