Against All Odds

Against The Odds

Informative Text

Informative Text

A type of writing in which the author provides information about a topic. The author presents facts without offering opinions or arguments.

Multiple Choice

What is an Informative Text?

• A type of writing that tells a made up story.

• A type of writing that gives information about a certain topic.

• A type of writing that tells the life story of someone important.

Part 1

If you have to ditch a commercial aircraft in the Hudson River,” the news anchor joked, “this is the guy you want.” The “guy” was US Airways pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger III, a 57-year-old former Air Force fighter pilot and a 29-year veteran of US Airways. On January 15, 2009, Sullenberger was the pilot on US Airways Flight 1549 from New York’s LaGuardia Airport to Charlotte, North Carolina. Flight 1549 left the tarmac at 3:25 P.M. Sullenberger thought he was in for an average flight—a routine, everyday trip.

Multiple Choice

Who is the main character?

• Sammy

• Timmy

• Sully

Multiple Choice

What is the setting of this story?

Setting: when and where the story took place.

On January 15, 2009, Sullenberger was the pilot on US Airways Flight 1549 from New York’s LaGuardia Airport to Charlotte, North Carolina. Flight 1549 left the tarmac at 3:25 P.M. Sullenberger thought he was in for an average flight—a routine, everyday trip.

• January 15, 2009

• LaGuardia Airport

• New York

• All of the above

Part 2

The flight was unremarkable for the first 90 seconds. Then something caught the eye of copilot Jeff Skiles. At 3,000 feet, he saw a flock of Canada geese headed toward the plane. Moments later the geese struck the fuselage, wings, and engine. The 150 passengers felt a powerful thud against the airplane, followed by severe vibrations from the engine. One passenger said it sounded like sneakers thumping around in a dryer. There was a loud explosion. The cabin filled up with smoke. There was a horrible smell and then an eerie quiet: both engines were disabled.

Multiple Choice

What hit the airplane?

• Canadian Geese

• Another plane

• An eagle

Open Ended

What do you think will happen to the airplane and the passengers since a flock of Canadian Geese have hit the airplane?

Part 3

Sullenberger made a Mayday radio call to air traffic control and calmly explained the situation. They discussed the options: The plane could either return to LaGuardia or land at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. Sullenberger knew the situation was too dire for the plane to stay in the air long enough for either plan to be successful. He had about 30 seconds to find an alternative. The pilot decided on a radical move: He’d ditch the plane in the Hudson River—despite the fact that passenger jets are not built to land on water.

Multiple Choice

Where did air traffic control want Sully to go?

Where did he think would be the best place to land?

• New York; Lake Michigan

• New Jersey; The Hudson River

• New York; The Arkansas River

Part 4

“Brace for impact!” came the captain’s voice over the intercom. A hush fell over the passengers. They thought they were going to die. Sullenberger lowered the plane’s nose in a gradual glide toward the river. The plane managed to clear the George Washington Bridge and, against the odds, land safely on the surface of the Hudson. It skidded across the water at 145 mph and finally slowed to a stop. “He was thinking in nanoseconds,” said a former airline pilot, speaking of Sullenberger. “He made all the right choices at all the right times. He might have been staring at the instruments, but he was feeling that airplane in his hands. He picked his landing spot and went for it.”

Poll

If the captain of an airplane said "brace for impact" which of the following would be closest to your reaction?

• Panic Mode!! Screaming, crying, shaking the stranger sitting next to you!

• Calm, cool, and collected! Checking your seatbelt and making sure those around you are okay.

• Shock! Can't speak, can't move, just staring forward and following directions.

• Scared! I'd be hiding under my seat.

Part 5

Now Sullenberger’s job was to get the people off the plane, which was quickly filling up with water. Witnesses were convinced that everyone on Flight 1549 was dead. What they couldn’t see was that passengers were already exiting the plane. With water seeping into the plane, Sullenberger and Skiles walked the length of the cabin twice, calling “Is anyone there?” The water was so cold they had to walk on top of the seats. But they would not leave the plane until they were sure everyone was out.

Part 6

“He’s the man,” said one of the rescued passengers. “If you want to talk to a hero, get a hold of him.” After all the thanking was over, Sullenberger was humble. “You’re welcome,” he said simply. Like most heroes, he didn’t want the label. According to him, he was just doing his job. But 154 men, women, and children owed their lives to a modest man who faced adversity with cool competence on one of the most remarkable days in aviation history. ❧

Poll

Would you ever ride on an airplane again after this experience?

• Yes

• Maybe after some time off in the air!

• No

Open Ended

Summary Write a summary of “Against the Odds.” A summary is a concise, complete, and accurate overview of a text. It should not include a statement of your opinion or an analysis.

In the story "Against the Odds" the main character,______, had a conflict while _________.

He dealt with this conflict by___________________.

Even though it was difficult, this character showed perseverance which helped him__________________________.

Poll

Let the People Decide Consider this statement: Chesley Sullenberger wasn’t really a hero because, as he himself said, facing adversity was part of his job.

• Agree

• Strongly Agree

• Disagree

• Strongly Disagree

Open Ended

How can people overcome adversity in the face of overwhelming obstacles?

Adversity: difficulties; misfortune.