Bob McCarty Writes

The headline that appeared above Kevin J. Cameron’s “Reader’s Opinion” piece in USA TODAY expressed his opinion well: Pilots Deserve More Credit for Safety Record.  One day after yesterday’s “Miracle on the Hudson” river landing of US Airways Flight 1549 in New York City, few would argue with his logic.

Cameron, an airline pilot from Miles City, Mont., wrote his piece in response to a USA TODAY article that highlighted the airline industry’s overall safety record and, in particular, drew attention to the fact that two years had passed since an airline passenger had died in an aircraft accident.

Published two days ago, Cameron’s piece included the following key observations:

The article cited government requirements, technology improvements and more reliable aircraft as helping to reduce accidents.

In my humble opinion, these have helped, but they pale compared with the security of having competent, experienced and professional pilots in the cockpits.

Chesley B. Sullenberger III

If not for the fact that President George W. Bush had signed into law legislation that raised the retirement age for commercial airline pilots to 65 from 60 on Dec. 13, 2007, many of the now-over-60 pilots — guys not much different than 57-year-old Chesley B. Sullenburger III — would be grounded today.

Without pilots possessing the kind of expertise Sullenburger demonstrated while at the controls of his Airbus A320 shortly after 3 p.m. Eastern Time Thursday, rescue efforts on the Hudson River might have become recovery efforts instead.

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See also:

‘Miracle on the Hudson’ Prompts Sigh of Relief

Miracle on the Hudson: 150 Survive US Air Crash!