So how do we get that Airbus 320 out of the Hudson River?

by Aaron Hotfelder on

I assumed US Airways Flight 1549 would simply lie at the bottom of the Hudson River for the next 10,000 years, where it would become a home to all the fish (if there are any) that live in that river.

But apparently the plane was already fished out of the river back on January 17, which, judging from the pictures that I’ve just stumbled upon, was no small feat of engineering. How was it done?

It appears to have been lifted out of the water using heavy cables hanging from a massive crane, and it was placed on an even more massive barge. The plane was then moved to New Jersey for examination by accident investigators.

Check out all the amazing photos here.

US Airways check already in the mail

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Notoriety is now worth $5,000. US Airways sent checks for $5,000 to each passenger on Flight 1549 last week, better known as the plane that touched down on the Hudson River. The payment came with a letter, in which the airline claimed to be “truly sorry.” Passengers were also reimbursed for ticket costs.

This is a pretty refreshing move, especially following JetBlue’s refusal to recognize its shortcomings outside a courtroom.

According to US Airways, luggage from Flight 1549 may remain in the hands of investigators for several months, and some may be “unrecoverable.” Compensation for this inconvenience, the checks began to arrive yesterday. US Airways has stated that the checks are not intended to sidestep any claims or litigation that passengers may file.

The reason for the delay in returning recovered luggage, according to reporting by the NY Times, is that the items have to be weighed wet, dried for eight weeks and then weighed again. The purpose is to verify the weight and balance of the plane.

[Via NY Times]

Photo of the Day (1/15/09)

by Kent Wien on

From our Gadling group at Flickr comes this shot taken by olyman almost exactly where the USAirways flight 1549 ditched today. I’ve always wanted to kayak around Manhattan, and I probably would have discovered this picture eventually, but with the exciting news that everyone appears to have survived the ditching of the A320 in the Hudson River, I wondered if there was a picture in the Gadling group taken from a a similar vantage point.

Sure enough, this looks like it was taken around the same spot, albeit at a much warmer time of the year.

My hat’s off to the flight attendants and pilots of USAirways 1549.

Are you a Flickr user who’d like to share a travel related picture or two for our consideration? Submit it to Gadling’s Flickr group right now! We just might use it for our Photo of the Day!

Undiscovered New York: Up the Hudson River Valley

by Jeremy Kressmann on

Welcome to this week’s installment of Undiscovered New York. This week we’re going to be heading north, following the path of the Hudson River, one of the great waterways of the Northeastern United States. Many New Yorkers will tell your our city is “the center of the world,” and in some ways, they have a good case. But the land bordering the Hudson River up to the capital in Albany has been just as important in shaping New York as the city itself in matters historical, political and cultural.

Along the shores of this picturesque valley lie all sorts of fascinating destinations which have shaped New York City, the United States and arguably the world. The Hudson River Valley is home to the mansions of former Presidents and wealthy industrialists, famous enclaves of artists and culinary experts and birthplace of one of our nation’s great military schools.

Are you ready to leave the confines of New York City? Come along with Undiscovered New York as we “head up the Hudson.”Stop One: West Point Military Academy
Just fifty miles up the Hudson from New York is West Point, site of the oldest continuously occupied military post in the United States and home to around 4,000 cadets. Though the academy was first established by President Thomas Jefferson in 1802, the site was founded as a military installation in 1778, when it helped deter British troop movements along the river during the Revolutionary War. Visitors who are interested in checking out the grounds can stop by the Visitor’s Center where they can arrange guided tours. There’s also one of the world’s biggest military museums on site, providing a interesting look at the history of U.S. military.

Stop Two: Storm King Art Center
Next on our tour of the Hudson, is Storm King, an outdoor sculpture gallery set against the backdrop of scenic Mountainville, NY. Nestled among over 500 acres of gorgeous rolling hills are enormous sculptures crafted from famous artists like Alexander Calder and Richard Serra. It’s a peaceful place to spend the day strolling the grounds or to bring along a picnic and enjoy the outdoors (OK, yes winter is coming, but you never know with global warming these days).

Stop Three: Hyde Park
As we move further up the Hudson, we arrive at Hyde Park, a historic New York town that dates back to the 18th Century. It’s famous for several great attractions, all within close proximity. Perhaps most renowned is the former home of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was born in Hyde Park and spent many years living there during his time as President. In addition to tours inside Roosevelt’s home, visitors can also take a look at FDR’s Presidential Library with many artifacts from the momentous years of the Great Depression and World War II. Also nearby is the Vanderbilt Mansion, one of the family’s many opulent retreats and a monument to Gilded Age excess. Foodies should also make a stop at the Culinary Institute of America, where they can sample world class cuisine from the school’s chefs in training.

Stop Four: Woodstock and the Catskills
What trip up the Hudson would be complete without a stop in Woodstock, notorious home of the world’s best known music festival and long time hippie enclave? If schlocky tie-dyed t-shirts are not your thing, don’t despair – there are plenty of awesome attractions nearby that will make the trip more than worth it. Nature lovers will be pleased to find the Catskills are just minutes away. It’s a gorgeous unspoiled wilderness where you can take in the scenery and perhaps check out the Buddhist Monastery that sits at the top of one of the area’s many hills. Make sure to finish your day at The Bear Cafe – the food is absolutely outstanding.