Yesterday was the fifteenth anniversary of Miracle on the Hudson. Except for those in their teens, that “miracle” should be a clear memory of a commercial airliner with 155 passengers and crew having to ditch into the Hudson River shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport. The reason for the extremely dangerous water landing was a result of the Airbus A320 hitting a flock of Canada Geese shortly after takeoff, resulting in the loss of power in both engines. The plane was at low altitude over one of the most densely developed areas on the planet. The captain, Chesley Sullenberger III—now known simply as Sully–did not have enough gliding momentum to make it back to LaGuardia or any other nearby airport. Thus, he decided to attempt an enormously risky water landing. The potential for the plane to break apart upon hitting the water was a very real possibility. But break apart it did not, and in the 25 minutes before the plane would begin to sink, all passenger and crew were safely rescued. Cool and calm under pressure, 154 people have Sully to thank for their lives.

Time to turn that miraculous story into a metaphor. That is, currently, there’s a figurative airplane that is having very difficult problems staying airborne and that may eventually crash. Just what this metaphorical aircraft’s fate is, well, is quite “up in the air”. Who is the pilot? It seems–to my way of thinking–not to have one. Indeed, there appears to be a struggle by a number of persons to gain control of the cockpit. Worse than that perception is, clearly, none of the wannabee pilots has the keen instincts, the skill set or the calm sense of collective, positive purpose. Right now, I’d say this metaphorical aircraft is–as of right now early in 2024–destined to crash. The only question is how bad will that crash will be? Will it completely destroy the plane? Will its passengers have any chance of surviving in the short or long term? Will it ever be able to fly again? And with whom at its controls? I don’t see anyone trying to command this craft being worthy of becoming its heroic Captain. In fact, the cockpit chaos is being caused by a disheartening–even frightening–gaggle of untrustworthy candidates for commander. One in particular has as much as said he wants to ditch the craft, let it sink while taking who knows how many people down with it, and who could not possibly care less, as long he remains in charge.

We are all passengers on this winged metaphor. Many do not like any of the possible pilots seeking the controls. Some, as if in a Jim Jones cult, are willing to drink the killer Kool-Aid while believing it is the right choice. The least dangerous outcome is the crash does not completely destroy the craft, and that someone, perhaps with little energy left, limping from the wreckage, will necessarily leave the plane’s future–its repair and greater ability to serve its passengers with compassion and sincere support to a new Captain of admirable character.

This plane has less than ten months before it must land. Whether that landing is a disaster or, like the real one that remarkably remained intact until a complete rescue was made, remains to be seen. If there is another Sully Sullenberger out there, we would be quite fortunate to put our trust in him.

Many of us are indeed waiting for Sully. In the meantime, keep your seatbelts fastened, and those fingers crossed.