The plane comes into view (from a distance) on the left side of the screen.
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The question was if the pilot was a hero. He was definitely highly skilled and competent, and extremely lucky that the weather, location and time of day was on his side. However, he had no choice in the matter. A hero is someone who chooses to risk his own life to save others… when he has a CHOICE not to. By definition, “somebody who commits an act of remarkable bravery” (MSN Encarta). Being an experienced pilot, doing your job really well, and avoiding a catastrophe is NOT being a hero. If you disagree, what act of remarkable bravery did the pilot perform?
There is some element of self sacrifice in the definition of hero.
This pilot is what I would call an everyday hero. People point to the training he received – but he was also a student of his profession. He spent years becoming a remarkable pilot which went well beyond the training he received.
When the time came he didn’t flinch but acted with rare skill and judgment. A hero is someone we put on a pedestal and use as a role model – from that point of view he’s a hero. To the people on the plane he’s a hero. To other pilots he’s a standard. To the public he’s a role model.
RE: #32 QB,”When the time came he didn’t flinch but acted with rare skill and judgment.”
On what basis can you say that the pilot had a rare skill? He was trained as is all his peers. He simply had a an opportunity to exercise his skills. That’s part of his job. If the had done otherwise, he would have been heralded as a dumbass. You would have heard things like “Why didn’t he land in the river instead of into all those buildings? What a incompetent shit!”
You are mistaking competency with heroism. As well, in your definition, if the pilot had pulled a great maneuver (as taught by the flight academy), and missed the flock of geese… he would still be a hero. If he had noticed the geese in the distance (using his well trained senses for danger ahead) and delayed taking off… again saving everyone on board, he would still be a hero. The danger, professional action, and outcome is the same for all three scenarios.
Sounds like everyone would prefer an incompetent hero. It makes for better Hollywood scripts.