Kalamazoo

FOs obviously aren't pilots so.....

f10a

I can't believe Trump paraded the crew at the White House for conducting an emergency descent and landing (sim session 4). And why did CA Tammy even accept to be paraded along with the crew and nameless FO. Embarrassing to say the least.

Jeff Lebowski

While I'm not a yuge fan of our 45th president, or the mediocre reality TV show he seems bent on transforming the executive branch into, I didn't much mind what little I saw of the ceremony. Trump went out of his way to recognize everyone from that flight, to remember the passenger who lost her life, and he did so in a way that went beyond politics. That's what leaders are supposed to do.

As for bagging on Captain Shults, I think it's a bit of a low blow to single her out for attending. When you find yourself thrust into the spotlight as she has, everything you do tends to send a message. If she'd have snubbed the President, can you imagine what the story would have turned into, or how that could have blown back on the company she represents?

I have no idea what her politics are. For all I know, she might even like the guy, and that's her prerogative. Either way, I was glad to see the whole crew there.

wjcandee

I thought it was nice that everybody got to go to the WH, including the FO, FAs, nurse and paramedic. To choose sides on that is silly. I always respect the office, even if I don't love the Guy.

Rolf

Saving puppies, hand delivering lost jewelry and this WH meeting seems like good PR for our profession. Am I missing something?

C130driver

My thoughts exactly! Regardless of ones’ politics, it’s pretty cool that the pilot is getting WH recognition for a job well done.

at6d

If the President invites you to the White House, you go. It’s a great honor, even if you don’t like him/her. We need some heroes right now.

f10a

I fail to see how one is considered a hero for performing an emergency descent and landing. It's what you're trained to do, over and over. Let's see.... Don the o2 mask, establish comm, FLC, spin the speed knob up to mmo and deploy the speed brakes.... Hero. Ok. Now.. The FAs on the other hand, they might be heros for saving a life etc.. Trump owns a 757, he should know better what his pilots do for training instead of making this a PR stunt imo.

ecam

Everyone apparently missed the irony of a president who claimed personal credit for the safest era in US aviation (which he had nothing to do with), inviting the crew of the first US air fatality in a decade to the WH for a publicity stunt worthy of a 3rd world dictatorship. Parading people in front of cameras and presiding over them like Our Most Benevolent Dear Leader. This man has no shame.

Sure, when the POTUS invites you, you show respect, but I'd probably have had personal obligations preventing my attendance. Perhaps as a Navy vet, she felt some sort of obligation to participate. Or maybe SWA PR made them attend...

tomgoodman

Good deeds must be condemned if they were performed by a person we dislike.