the buzz log

Less than halfway through the first month of 2009, and America already has a new hero.

Jittery fears over a New York City airplane crash turned to widespread relief when the pilot managed to land a U.S. Airways airbus into the Hudson River on January 15. Yes, the water was cold (40 degrees on a 20-degree day), but the plane didn't immediately sink, no nearby boats were crushed, every single passenger emerged safely, and Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger III instantly got elevated to elite status on the Web.

The people monitoring the "plane crash," "airplane crash new york," "airplane crash in hudson river," and "us airways crash" online quickly turned to pore over the hero pilot's credentials. As searchers for "chesley sullenberger" found out, this was a guy made for worst-case scenarios: According to the Associated Press, Sullenberger flew F-4 fighter jets in '70s, investigated aircraft accidents, is president of a safety consulting firm, and studied the "psychology of keeping airline crews functioning even in the face of crisis."

Time magazine's two-minute bio also cited his position as a visiting scholar to the very severe-sounding University of California at Berkeley's Center for Catastrophic Risk Management. U.S. News & World Report highlighted the 57-year-old pilot's long career as "evidence that companies should hold on to their older and experienced workers."

Searches also rose for "fans of sully sullenberger," which are manifold on Facebook: So far, the captain can count about nine variations of "fans of" groups. That doesn't include the "Captain C.B. Sully Sullenberger" Facebook page, which reaped nearly 20,000 fans in less than 48 hours. (A nation's gratitude does have its drawbacks: His family have had to duck the media hordes and sustain themselves on a diet of In-N-Out burgers.)

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board are talking to Sullenberger and copilot Jeff Skiles on Friday, but a curious public has already started its own online inquiry into "snarge," which Fox News calls the remains of birds hit by planes (one widely reported theory behind the crash) and "ditch switch," which CBS News explains "seals the underbelly of the plane to make it more buoyant." (Interestingly, a "ditch switch" search on Yahoo! yields a link to a pilot forum topic, "The Time a Widebody Takes to Sink," with one poster pointing out, "The question, I would think, isn't how long it will float, it's how will the pilots manage to get the thing down intact ... not something I'd want to experience first hand.")

While normally such incidents prompt a look back at lessons from past accidents, the so-called 'Miracle on the Hudson' has shown how well the airline industry has learned from them this time. Given the recent Federal Aviation Administration whistleblower scandals about cozy relationships between inspectors and airlines, the timing for a hero is about right. And while media are always eager to bestow that title, aviation experts believe Sully deserves it (even if Mrs. Sullenberger thinks the designation is "a little weird"). Said one pilot and aviation consultant to AFP, "I would definitely call the guy a hero. To have no fatalities--that is remarkable."

Incidentally, just two days before the accident, NPR reported that fixing the FAA's problems figured high on the president-elect's priority list. If Barack Obama needs some recommendations for an airline safety czar, some people might just have a name to offer up.

Filed under: Heroes, Accidents, Airlines

In the Buzz this week, consumers continued to be nickeled-and-dimed, new price highs meant new lows, and a daytime talk show became an unlikely political battleground—with allies from unlikely places.

On 'Idol'
In a season beset with complaints, "American Idol" had the last laugh by putting on a smashing finale—as well as pulling in its third-highest ratings finale ever (or did it?) and dominating iTunes. After subjecting two nice boys to bad boxing analogies and some risky business, a well-paced Wednesday show brought in oodles of searches for celebrity guests like ZZ Top (+437%), Donna Summer (+534%), and George Michael (+1,826%). The David vs. David face-off hyped up the suspense, and many (like Buddy TV) assumed an Archuleta victory. They should have paid heed to the Buzz Log projection, which was posted nine days before the winner was announced. (The projection's secret formula: geography and gender. Or as one audience placard put it, "Cougars for Cook.") Yet the producers can't rest easy, because (as New York Magazine opines) a Cook win really means restless fans want change.

On Idle
As oil executives testified before Congress on why crude oil passed up $130 a barrel, American Airlines added a $15 fee for checking in the first piece of luggage. The Wall Street Journal predicted a future of higher fares and airlines liquidating. Perplexed lawmakers trying to get a straight answer about costs may want to check HowStuffWorks' piece on just what oil drilling entails.

On Idyll
May is the new June, with all the celebrity weddings and engagements going on this month. Promptly after the California Supreme Court struck down a ban against same-sex marriage, talk show host Ellen Degeneres announced her engagement to actress Portia de Rossi. A few days later, she interviewed Republican presidential candidate John McCain on the issue. While she didn't sway him from his civil-union stance, another interview with newlywed Jenna (Bush) Hager resulted in a casual thumbs-up for Degeneres to use the Bush ranch for her upcoming nuptials. That show is scheduled to air next Wednesday ... so far.

Also spiking in Buzz this week ...
•A fatal driveway accident killed Christian singer Stephen Curtis Chapman's 5-year-old daughter. Sympathy searches rose up more than 6,000% for the Grammy award-winning music artist.
•Crime-fighting pays off in a weak economy, according to the New York Times. Crime Stoppers have reported increased snitching so tipsters can pay their bills or buy groceries.
•Texas welfare authorities appealed a state supreme court ruling allowing the return of nearly 500 children to the Yearning for Zion compound. Among the reactions was that of the ex-wife of the alleged compound leader, who stated in a Houston Chronicle profile that the court ruling could mean "we have lost another generation."

Filed under: American Idol, Crime, Recaps, Gay Marriage, Week in Review, Elections, Airlines, Wrap Up

"Sorry... After more than 60 years of serving Hawaii, Aloha Airlines is no longer operating... Mahalo Nui Loa — Aloha Oe. July 26, 1946-March 31, 2008."

And there reads the self-penned epitaph of the Honolulu-based carrier, who ferried millions of newlyweds, tourists, and locals among the islands and to and from the Mainland.

Travelers were still searching for details on bankrupty, reservations, employment, and founder Ruddy Tongg when another airline called it quits. Less than two days later, ATA's home page offered a more business-like apology about filing for Chapter 11 and the "disruption caused by the sudden shutdown..."

Disruption? More like disarray. The two stunning collapses followed stories of staff buyouts at Delta Airlines and the flurry of Federal Aviation Administration inspections which have ground planes to a halt—including a White House plane.

The troubled skies have led people to research "airline safety ratings." The horrid disruptions do mean long-term safety, but consumers might not be so consoled after the Congressional testimony of two FAA whistleblowers. Southwest Airlines seems to be the main bad boy. The discount carrrier was walloped with a $10 million fine for its bad behavior.

With an already sickly economy, fewer airlines and airplanes could mean that vacations revolve around backyard barbecues. For those determined to travel, here are a few tips from the Buzz:

• Passengers whose flights were cancelled should follow up on travel waivers. United released a statement on how to get refunds. People holding useless ATA tickets may want to look at Northwest's offer for stand-by options to Hawaii, and Southwest refunds.
• With Aloha and ATA gone, expect an island rush for Hawaiian Air. According to the Associated Press, US Airways should swoop into ATA's void in Phoenix, while Delta and Continental while likely take its former Los Angeles routes.
• Porfolio gives advice on controlling business travel costs, although some advice could be used by regular consumers.
• The A.P. extracted five ideas from Travel & Leisure for domestic vacations, and the Street suggests affordable ski getaways and Caribbean vacations.
• Searches for discount online travel brokers are rising fast. Another secret: Some consumers are seeking help from "online travel agents" (+134%).
• The 'open skies' pact came to fruition on March 30. Now airlines can fly anywere between cities between the European Union and the United States. Depending on whom you ask, more competition may or may not mean lower fares... and the dollar is still weak against the Euro.

Filed under: Travel, Business, Airlines, Economics