Lessons From the Hudson
"I was shaking. My heart was beating fast. I was scared ... and that was only when I was being interviewed by 60 Minutes!"
US Airways First Officer Jeff Skiles told this joke when he opened up the keynote address at the 71st AMT National Meeting, held June 22-27 in Minneapolis.
Skiles told attendees he was not scared when his plane landed on the Hudson River in January, mainly because of his previous training, his knowledge of procedures and the teamwork of his crew -- very similar to working in the medical field, he explained.
He gave details to AMT members about the fateful flight, his newfound celebrity and how being confident in your training can help you in a tight spot, and how adaptability can help you avoid mistakes. For more on Skiles' lecture, check out the AMT conference coverage on our July 14 Web update.