In the dramatic wake of the "Miracle on the
Hudson," U.S. Airways is sending out checks to all the passengers aboard
Flight 1549 and apologizing for inconveniencing them by diverting their Charlotte-bound
flight into the Hudson River. 
So what's the going rate for air regret?
$5,000. Plus the cost of the flight, natch, which U.S.
Airways says it will reimburse to the passengers as well. I can't help but
wonder if there's some fine print at the bottom of this check, relieving the
airline of any further financial responsibility in exchange for this princely
sum.
Here's some money! Please don't sue us!
And why would anyone sue the airline? Not because of the
purported cause of the crash, the mid-air collision of geese and engine. Hey,
these things happen, and you can't sue a goose. But that's not what's making me
so cynical.
It's the news that comes right on the heels of this
announcement, that Flight 1549 was having engine problems just two days prior
to its swan dive. According to the National Transportation Safety Board,
"there was an entry in the aircraft's maintenance log that indicates a
compressor stall occurred on Jan. 13." The compressor draws air into the
engine. Investigators are planning to interview the pilot who flew the plane on
January 13 for more information.
Investigators say its probe of the crash will take as long
as a year, long after that $5,000 has been spent.
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