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| Hudson pilot urges safety funding | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The pilot of a plane that ditched into the Hudson River in New York has called on US airlines to invest more in recruiting and training pilots. | |
| Capt Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger told Congress his pay had been cut by 40% in recent years, and the industry might not attract the "best and brightest". | |
| "The single most important piece of safety equipment is an experienced, well-trained pilot," he said. | "The single most important piece of safety equipment is an experienced, well-trained pilot," he said. |
| He was hailed as a hero after January's landing, which all on board survived. | He was hailed as a hero after January's landing, which all on board survived. |
| At the hearing, an air traffic controller recalled the captain telling him he would land in the river, and thinking this was a "death sentence". | At the hearing, an air traffic controller recalled the captain telling him he would land in the river, and thinking this was a "death sentence". |
| Controller Patrick Harten said it felt like hours before he heard of the plane's "heroic landing". | Controller Patrick Harten said it felt like hours before he heard of the plane's "heroic landing". |
| Earlier, Capt Sullenberger told the House committee he and other pilots had seen their wages cut, and that this was deterring potential recruits. | |
| He said it was necessary for companies to refocus on the recruitment and training of pilots, and that this should be "at least as important as their bottom lines". | He said it was necessary for companies to refocus on the recruitment and training of pilots, and that this should be "at least as important as their bottom lines". |
| "We've been hit by an economic tsunami: September 11th, bankruptcies, fluctuating fuel prices, mergers, loss of pensions and revolving door management teams," he said. | |
| Capt Sullenberger said his decision to stay in the airline industry had come at "a great financial cost to me and my family", with his pay cut and pension downgraded. | |
| "It is an incredible testament to the collective character, professionalism and dedication of my colleagues in the industry that they are still able to function at such a high level." |