Miracle on the Hudson River

[chrissa1]

Wow! Was that gripping or what? Even though we all knew the fantastic outcome, I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat.

Very well made. Anybody agree??

[paddywak]

Didn't see the program but I heard the recordings of the conversation between the pilot and air control when they were released and the pilot sounded as cool as if he was driving his kids to school. The guy certainly earned his money that day

[crisgal]

oh no! missed it - what channel was it on?

[4getmenot]

I want to know how the ferries got there before the helicopter

[hippyhoppy]

I watched it this morning... very moving... the police scrambled the passenger ferries that were already on the hudson, but they're not designed to fetch people out of the water (too high), the helicopter took ten or so minutes to get there.. even so.. good going!! That piolot (sp?) was brilliant!!!

[4getmenot]

It all depended really how it landed and shear luck I reckon that it landed in a position that didnt make it crack in 2

[Octavius]

I didn't watch it as I wondered how they could stitch an hour long programme together in the space of two weeks that would share anything that we hadn't seen on the news already.

Not to deter from what the pilot did, but was it a typical C4/Five docudrama with random 'experts' a few graphic illustrations and some shakey re-enactments? Did any comedians add a soundbite in a dark room, that wasn't funny? I bet the first 45 minutes was the history of plane crashes/survivals? Was there any sensationalist narration before the ad-break....'within five minutes all XX passengers thought they were going to DIE....

Did we learn anything new? Sorry to be cynical, I just have a rational dislike of C4/5 documentaries.

[hippyhoppy]

cris - it was on channel 4.. I've had a scroll through the listings for E4 and more4 but can't see it repeated.. maybe it will be on anytime on sky+

[4getmenot]

Octavious stick a load of americans infront of a camera to overexagerate what had happened and there is your hour lond episode

[chrissa1]

4getmenot, you obviously don't know anything about flying an plane. There was No luck in landing an aeroplane!! The pilot either lands it correctly or he doesn't, HE is in control of the attitude of the plane as it comes in towards the ground. It HAD to land at an angle of 11 degrees!! He DID that, it wasn't just luck. My husband has a PPL and he was amazed at the pilot's actions and ability.

Octavius, there wasn't any shake re-enactments, just interviews with some of the survivors and real footage with a few computer generated shots showing what Could have happened if the pilot had got it wrong ot Just Trusted To Luck!!!!!

[Octavius]

Oh, was it an Anglicised version of the live CBS news special that was done 2 weeks ago then?

[Octavius]

Ah, nothing like a bit of 'look at what could have happened CGI eh'.

I am not sure that you can land 'correctly' on water? Surely it is 50/50 pass or fail, depending upon skill, the forces of nature and the structural stability of the plane?

[4getmenot]

chrissa you cannot say either way if it was luck or not, other pilots may have landed they're planes properly bit other factors came into force making it unlucky. They were just all very lucky on the day

[angel21]

I watched it and thought it was very good. Can you imagine how scary that must be??? It was sad to hear the people talking about how they thought they were leaving their families behind and it makes you realise how you should live for today and not tomorrow. The pilot was absolutely amazing - so calm - truly incredible how he landed that plane so well and they all survived

[angel21]

It was a bit of both definitely - very skilled and experienced pilot and also very lucky. He done well to clear that bridge.

[chrissa1]

True true both of you. I agree he was lucky that the river was there and as such it was a relatively smooth strip of water, unlike landing on the sea. But I think his vast experience and skill was paramount here and the souls on board were lucky to have him at the controls. Yes??

[angel21]

Imagine that poor father and son sat at totally opposite ends of the plane and then you hear that you are crashing and you can't hold each others hand. I was surprised neither of them got up and went to look for the other one but then I suppose staff would not have allowed it as it would be too dangerous.

[angel21]

Oh I totally agree with you Chrissa, they were very lucky to have such an experienced and skilled pilot. He had been doing the job for 30 or more years I think they said which was again very lucky for them.

[4getmenot]

Oh yes definately brilliant pilot but just meant other pilots have not been so lucky on landings doesnt mean they arent the best. Alot of factors came into it all that day. angel I was suprised the father was put in first class and the son sat at the back

[HatlessJack]

There were only 7 of the 'survivors' interviewed. To hear their testimonies of how at first they feared they would die in the crash-landing, then they elation they felt at having survived that being almost immediately replaced with real fears that they would drown which were tempered by relief at being able to get into the life-rafts, only to have this replaced by thoughts that either the ferrys may squash them or the 'plane may drag them to a watery grave as it sank, and then the final rescue were really quite affecting.

There were minimal computer graphics and none of the irritating repetition so beloved of current documentaries; just a linear time-line of the events of the incident.

As I don't watch CBS I couldn't possibly comment on the content of its recent news special, however, I feel that last nights programme was uncommonly well done.

[angel21]

I agree with you Hatless Jack. 4get - they were the only seats available I suppose. U would have thought there would be someone travelling alone who could have moved to first class and father and son sit together somehow but then I suppose you wouldn't be too bothered about sitting apart until you realise you are crashing.

I can't believe how the pilot and all the flight attendants keep so calm in incidents like these. I know they are trained but even so they are still human.