“Miracle on the Hudson” hero pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger recently received an incredible job offer from bazillionaire Richard Branson. No word on whether the celebrated U.S. Airways captain took Branson up on the million-dollar flight gig, but there is news about a new deal being offered to the passengers on board Flight 1549.
According to reports, U.S. Airways is giving the survivors on board Sully’s bird, free one-year super-elite status, with perks that include lounge privileges, upgrades, and frequent flier membership. In addition, each passenger will be receiving the airline’s first-class “Chairman’s Preferred” membership, which features a companion first-class domestic travel ticket when seats are available, an upgrade to Europe or Hawaii, and priority check-in.
Sounds great, right?
Apparently not to some of the recipients of U.S. Airways’ “gift.” In fact, a few of the passengers, who narrowly escaped death when their plane was brought down by a flock of geese after taking off from La Guardia Airport last month, say the temporary upgrades are less than generous.
Most say they feel as though the offer should be permanent instead of temporary, given that several of the surviving passengers are still so traumatized by their plummet into the freezing Hudson River that they have curtailed air travel all together. However, the way it stands right now, passengers of Flight 1549 would have to overcome their fear of flying in the next 13 months in order to take advantage of their new super-elite status, which expires in March 2010.
One survivor, who escaped the sinking plane with her husband and two small children, thought airline execs were too focused on spinning the crash to make themselves look good – and “they want to exonerate themselves as much as they can.”
“They are happy they had such amazing results, and they applaud themselves, and then give us a small token?” the passenger told news reporters. “That’s how I take it.”
Another survivor, 20-year-old Antonio Sales, had a more pointed answer when asked whether he thought U.S. Airways’ gesture was appropriate:
“That’s more of an ‘OK, you’re not dead, I’ll give you something to hold on to.’ It’s not enough at all. You’re going to crash me into the water, and you’re going to tell me all I get is an upgrade?”
For the record, the airline did send out $5,000 checks for lost luggage and other expenses, and the company said passengers would be able to make claims for more expenses in the future.
As for the VIP treatment on future flights… personally, I think the survivors should be able to fly first class on U.S. Airways for the duration of their lives.
What do you think?