The pilot who safely ditched the U.S. Airways jet into the Hudson River drew on years of skill, training and sound judgment in the critical moments before landing.
Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and his crew reacted calmly while
The pilot who safely ditched the U.S. Airways jet into the Hudson River drew on years of skill, training and sound judgment in the critical moments before landing.
Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and his crew reacted calmly while facing potential disaster. The miraculous outcome drew attention to the pilot’s skill and courage in an extraordinarily stressful situation.
One variable—limits on pilots’ work hours—also played a positive, if hidden, role. To reduce the risk of error caused by fatigue, pilots cannot fly more than eight straight hours, according to airline industry and government rules.
Like piloting a jetliner, some medical situations, especially in the hospital, also have life-and-death consequences. You might be surprised to know that, until recently, doctors who train in hospitals, called medical residents, did not have limits on their work hours.
Before limits were put in place, some residents worked more than 100 hours each week. And a resident’s day could last 36 hours or longer. Cases came to light showing that doc