Is there such a thing as a controlled water ditching...apparently there is. Today we all witnessed what can only be described as the single greatest water landing of a large commercial aircraft...ever. I am in awe of the crew of the Airbus A320, they not only kept it together but saved 155 Souls, themselves included.

As a former flight attendant I can say that what we saw today was a miracle...I am not an overly religious person but I believe and have faith and I am telling you that the Lord God Himself placed that airplane in the Hudson.

We are trained in what to do and say and how to act in the event of any and every possible emergency. We practice on mock aircraft, yell commands from wings that are suspended over a swimming pool. In our swim suits we ditch into the swimming pool and climb into an already inflated life raft. Every effort is made to prepare us for what may happen. I can't imagine how and what this crew is now feeling.

In training, the videos they make us watch do not include a water ditch with a high survival rate. Most of us watched first hand or have seen the video of the heartwrentching attempt by rescue crews in Washington DC to save passengers of Air Florida Flight 90, they themselves suffering in the frigid water and even dying. There were only five survivors on that snowy day, January 13, 1982.

I have experienced both a bird strike and an engine failure, thankfully not at the same time. They resulted in two emergency landings. No slides were deployed and no injuries occurrred. In both instances time moved so fast that I was not able to process what was happening. My mind was consumed with commands and procedure in the event that I needed to take action.

I loved flying. Still do. I like being a "passenger in the know". During every take off and landing I take note of where I am, where the exits are and who is sitting near by, just in case. I make sure I am buckled when seated, even if the seat belt sign is off. I make sure my family is buckled too.

Final note: Always be nice to your flight attendants...just in case they have to save your ass.

And...my two emergency landings were with my husband at the helm. He cooks, cleans and is quite the airman. What a guy! :-)