Today, January 15, 2019, on the tenth anniversary of the amazing water landing, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) cheers the crew of US Airways Flight 1549 for inspiring the world with a “miracle” on the Hudson. AFA International President Sara Nelson issued the following public statement:
“On January 15, 2009, three US Airways Flight Attendants, Donna Dent, Sheila Dail, and Doreen Welsh, awed the world as aviation’s first responders. Leaning on their training and experience, in less than two minutes, the three Flight Attendants orchestrated the safe evacuation of 150 men, women and children before the plane sank into the ice-filled Hudson River.
“The inspiring outcome of the potentially tragic events on flight 1549 is a tribute to Union Members everywhere; from the pilots landing on the Hudson and the New York area Air Traffic controllers to the Flight Attendants evacuating passengers rescued by ferry boat operators and emergency response teams. The 'Miracle on the Hudson' would not have been a miracle without everyone involved doing exactly what needed to be done at just the right moment. Union members made the difference. AFA is proud of the crew of Flight 1549 and the work done every day by Flight Attendants, pilots, ground crew, and all members of the aviation family.”
AFA is proud to join APFA, other unions, and representatives across aviation for a celebration of the crew of US Airways 1549 - and all of those who helped make this a miracle to the world - at an event in Charlotte today hosted by the Carolinas Aviation Museum.