I find it comforting that the early 'pick a field' airmpanship is still present on the automated flight deck of today!
I find it strange that this thread has turned into an airbus bash!
To add my two pence worth, the hudson incident displayed ultimate airmanship, along with a fatality free landing on a river by a 77 ton jet. We can argue that the engines bailed out when others may have lasted a little longer, but in that particular incident, the ease of handling and the structural integrity of the machine saved the day (along with Sully's ability of course).
