I also flew sail planes and enjoyed the feeling of silent flight but it,as Sully and I feel, it doesn't help you much flying airliners. He landed in the river because he knew how to fly and saved everybody and was a hero.
I would hope all of us have the piloting ability to do what he did. Button pushers would not have a chance in his condition.
Kind of sad, isn't it? This is the new generation of pilots sadly.