Obama Invites Flight 1549 Pilot and Crew to Inauguration

By Katharine Q. Seelye

Make room for a few more folks at the Inauguration.

Barack Obama has invited Captain Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger, the hero pilot who landed the US Airways Airbus in the Hudson River last week. All 155 passengers and crew were safe.

Mr. Obama has also invited all five members of the crew of Flight 1549, which had taken off from LaGuardia and moments later made a controlled landing in the Hudson, to join the inaugural ceremonies.

As an added treat, the soon-to-be president has sent the pilot and crew an even more exclusive invitation — to come on board Air Force One whenever they have the chance.

Mr. Sullenberger, who has been helping with the federal investigation into the air disaster and has yet to make any public statements, has not seen his wife and daughters since he averted a possible disaster. His family is on their way to Washington from their home in Danville, Calif.

It is not clear yet where the pilot and crew will be seated at the Inaugural ceremonies, but they are expected to have prominent seats and good views of the swearing-in.

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First class, Mr. Just about President January 19, 2009 · 1:52 pm

Sully the Pilot makes a lovely change from the GOP model of a Joe the Plumber as a person to truly be admired.

Tony C January 19, 2009 · 2:36 pm

I don’t mean to be cranky but would it kill all y’all reporters to “make room” for the names of the flight crew along with the captain? The media focus on the captain to the exclusion of the rest of the crew is getting a little annoying. While your at it maybe stop referring to it as a “miracle” and give some credit to the training, hard work and professionalism of the entire crew and the ferry operators.

Lázaro Cárdenas January 19, 2009 · 2:42 pm

Only a good man like Obama would be considerate like this. I think he’s intentions are far more than just politics, and even if he is trying to play a heroic role, good for him! We need that right now.

CarolineC January 19, 2009 · 2:48 pm

While it is wonderful that the crew of the US Airways flight is coming to the Inauguration, it should be remembered that every day, skilled pilots and cabin crew are safely transporting thousands of passengers – usually without incident. These men and women are all heroes, they have taken pay cuts and lost their pensions yet are the consummate professionals each time they board their aircraft.

I never board a flight that I don’t look into the cockpit and hope to see a grey haired flight crew. In this case, the average age was 54 and that experience paid off.

Next time a company lays off a baby boomer in favor of a young MBA, remember that “experience matters” – something no 25 year old has.

ed January 19, 2009 · 2:51 pm

That’s wonderful, the captain and crew deserve it!! How gracious of Obama to invite them and to acknowledge how they are heros in helping to save the lives of the passengers and to avert a disaster on the ground. It’s nice to see nice things happen to nice people. Hope they all have a great time.

Warren Howie Hughes January 19, 2009 · 2:58 pm

I swear, is there anything that Obama’s team hasn’t overlooked in their attempt to make him appear as the Second Coming? Today he’s seen visiting a homeless shelter in D.C. ala, Mother Teresa, perhaps if they can squeeze it in before this day is through, he can go and lay hands on a few lepers in a small colony on the outskirts (where else?) of the Capital?

Liz January 19, 2009 · 3:00 pm

finally a president in touch with reality and willing to recognize what makes america great: its heroes!

joe January 19, 2009 · 3:00 pm

Good show! Reward skill, experience and good luck. The post-Bush world is bleak, indeed, hopefully Captain Obama will pilot us out of disaster.

carolb75 January 19, 2009 · 3:02 pm

This is awesome. George W. Bush didn’t even take the time to mention this pilot and crew in his farewell speech the same night of the “Miracle on the Hudson.” Obama is going to be an awesome President of the United States of America!

EK January 19, 2009 · 3:03 pm

Has anyone seen Sully?

jeff ritter January 19, 2009 · 3:03 pm

great! Can’t beat heroes! better than celebrities anyday!

James January 19, 2009 · 3:12 pm

This is just the most wonderful, beautiful news possible. Made my day. Thank you, President Obama!!!

JM January 19, 2009 · 3:16 pm

This was to be expected. I would have been surprised if this invitation hadn’t happen. That crew deserves all the honors that can be given started with that amazing pilot.

Jesse January 19, 2009 · 3:19 pm

Yes, Warren Howie Hughes, God-forbid we have a President who is a genuinely compassionate person…

mwoman January 19, 2009 · 3:19 pm

That’s awesome!

sister January 19, 2009 · 3:21 pm

I think it’s great that maturity, wisdom, and experience are finally being honored by the Obama campaign instead of being ridiculed by that earlier “campaign rhetoric” that according to the president-elect ought never have been taken seriously. You know all those promises he made to convince his left-wing base to support him and trash Hillary Clinton.

Finn Canonica January 19, 2009 · 3:35 pm

Doubting Obamas motives for inviting captain an crew of flight 1549 is almost to cynical to be true

Sophie January 19, 2009 · 3:36 pm

This is lovely. I agree with #10—heroes are better than celebrities. More Sully, less Bono, please!

nate January 19, 2009 · 3:36 pm

The guy just does EVERYTHING right. As tough as things are, I have never felt more hopeful.

Parent January 19, 2009 · 3:40 pm

Should the Pittsburgh Steelers be invited as well, they just won the AFC conference? This pilot did his job. Should every teacher be invited as well? Do teachers not do a great job/service everyday? This is a media sound bite to to increase the president elects good will, no more no less.

Nikki January 19, 2009 · 3:43 pm

Why is no attention being paid to the fact that US Airways had a shoddy plane in the air in the first place that would be downed by a bird?? How many birds fly in the air with how many planes? And yet this one goes down? Why haven’t we gotten more explanation as to the mechanics of what happened? They can spin this with all the hero stories they want but until I find out what happened and how a bird can take down a whole plane, I will NEVER fly US Airways again.

lois.liberal.jones January 19, 2009 · 3:43 pm

Ah, well, sister, the reason for this seeming contradiction is that the “promises he made to convince his left-wing base to support him and trash Hillary Clinton” only existed in your brain, not in reality.

kailo January 19, 2009 · 3:46 pm

Let us stop calling the Hudson incidence a miracle. Let us give credit to the crew’s training, experience and skill. These three elements made them do what they did successfully. That is heroism! Awesome President Obama!

Ed January 19, 2009 · 3:47 pm

Just as an aside, I wonder who Sully voted for.

Jeff Wagner January 19, 2009 · 3:50 pm

It should be added that Obama is a much more admirable person than “Mother” Teresa. Please read the Christopher Hitchens biography of her if you want proof.

Today is the LAST DAY of the Bush administration. We are delivered!