Captain Sullenberger spokesperson for St.Jude's Children's Hospital

[silenus]

Nah, they’re hopeless.

[Ludovic]

@The_Second_Stone

In 1996 local Congressman Bill Baker (R-Danville) was overheard on an airplane saying that his neighbor was an airline pilot and an airline pilot shouldn’t be living in his neighborhood

I don’t get it. Was the quote some sort of anti-union classism thing or spun that way?

[born_too_late]

@Jackknifed_Juggernaut

I guess nobody’s perfect.

On the other hand, maybe the GOP needs more guys like him. It couldn’t hurt.

[Slypork]

@Jackknifed_Juggernaut

I guess nobody’s perfect.

Hey, the Democrats have their messiah, the Republicans can get one too!

[sachertorte]

@muldoonthief

He was sounded out, but said he prefers his day job.

Oh and he’s a registered Republican.

Well that’s just our problem isn’t it? Good people stay away from politics.

[The_Second_Stone]

@sachertorte

Well that’s just our problem isn’t it? Good people stay away from politics.

Politics always has been a dirty blood sport and will continue to be. It’s good for someone to know if they aren’t up to it.

[sugar_and_spice]

@Ludovic

I don’t get it. Was the quote some sort of anti-union classism thing or spun that way?

I was curious so I looked it up:

BIG MOUTH: Congr. Bill Baker the Danville Rowser (that’s my term for a right-wing Republican) was en route from Washington to SFO when he decided to descend from the upper deck of a United 747 and make small talk with passengers and crew. His idea of small talk: “Pilots and flight attendants make too much money and get too much time off” which is why presumably he voted to cut FAA funding. He broke the silence that greeted that remark by pointing out “One of my neighbors in Danville is a pilot and if he can afford to live in my neighborhood he’s making too much money.” He got results almost immediately. The flight attendants union endorsed Democrat Ellen Tauscher in Contra Costa.

http://articles.sfgate.com/1996-06-07/news/17777864_1_flight-attendants-clinton-fund-raiser-faa-funding

[ElvisL1ves]

Damn Sullenberger ruined it for every other pilot out there. Now, anybody who breaks a plane when they put it in the water is gonna look like an idiot.

Not taking away anything from his performance, but: The lack of waves on the Hudson had something to do with it.
Did any of the FA’s ask Baker if HE made too much money to live in his community?

[pravnik]

@silenus

Nah, they’re hopeless.

Well played.

[The_Second_Stone]

@sugar_and_spice

I was curious so I looked it up:

One Friday in June

That’s the quote I was looking for!!

[muldoonthief]

@sachertorte

Well that’s just our problem isn’t it? Good people stay away from politics.

I don’t know how many of the skills of a pilot and accident investigator would transfer to being a Congressman. I’m happy he’s still flying and teaching younger pilots - clearly he’s very, very good at that. He would have just been a stunt candidate anyway - “I have no legislative experience whatsoever, so send me to Congress!”

[silenus]

Now he’s in the comics.