Be A Sully (The Friday Ficks S5 E2)

"Do you want to try to land runway one three?" asked air traffic control.

"We're unable, we may end up in the Hudson," replied the pilot.

"You can land runway one at Teterboro," said the controller.

"We can't do it...we're gonna be in the Hudson," the pilot responded.

January 15, 2009. US Airways Flight #1549, piloted by Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, endured a bird-strike to the engines less than five minutes after takeoff from LaGuardia. Options were few, and outcomes increasingly bleak. But Sully, a former fighter pilot, did the unimaginable, landing his Airbus 320 with 150 passengers and 5 crew on the Hudson River.

Everyone survived, thus earning the moniker "The Miracle on the Hudson."

I had a Sully in my life. My dad.

My dad was in his last days as we watched, together, Sully's landing and ensuing rescue operation in real time.

I remembered my Sully piloting the family wagon around town, to the train station, on Saturday morning errands, to my baseball games, or day trips to the shore. He always had a plan, but remained flexible if there were bumps in the road.

Drawing on his years of experience. Always guiding the ship. Always arriving safely.

My Sully routinely remained as calm, cool and collected as that pilot landing in the Hudson on that bitterly cold day 16 years ago this week. My Sully, bringing as much comfort to his family as Captain Sully undoubtedly brought to his passengers.

As a leader in service to your professional and personal communities, find peace in the parallels.

Remain calm and stay nimble, even when options are few and outcomes teeter on the bleak line. Draw on your training and years of experience while guiding the ship. Act decisively, and remain firm in your convictions.

You've got a lot of people relying on you to help get them to where they are going, safely. Be a Sully.

Own the day. Own the weekend.

Carl