January 15, 2009. Flight 1549: my flight to a front row seat in my ride to death world. WOW! One crazy day that was. Hello, my name is Jignasha Patel. I am 18 years old and today I shall tell you the story of my ride on Flight 1549.
I have been in New York for over a year and half doing my internship as a fashion designer. I was finally going home to see my mother and father, as well as my little ratty brother. I was extremely happy! Ready to see my family, friends, and people very close to my heart. OoOoO! We can’t forget my baby boy’s Tino and Tyson, my dogs.
That morning my best friend Kinita and I got ready to go to the airport. As I walked out of my dorm I was ready to see my mom and hold her tight. My soul was jumping with excitement and my heart was beating as it had never been touched before. Kinita looked at me and said “today after a year and half you are going back home, within 24 hours we will be standing where your life began”. My mind grow with warm thoughts. We had grabbed a taxi and got to the airport in a heart beat. Finally, I was sitting in seat 12B.
“Today is January 15. Thank you, for using US Airways flight number 1549. We will be leaving LaGuardia Airport in approximately five minutes.” The air hostess had said. I was jumping with joy. By the time the plane was ready to take off I had made a new friend. His name was, Yash. Yash and I were just getting to know about each other and our stories about home when we felt a jerk in the plane. I looked at Yash with a doubtful look. The pilot had come on and said “We are facing some difficulties. We have hit birds and have lost power in both of the engines.” I grabbed on to Yash’s arm. With a tight grip leaving marks on him arms. Holding on as I was looking at the grim reaper face to face. My muscles tightened, my eyes widen, and my soul was throbbing.
“The plane has landed in the Hudson River. Please leave your belongings and exit to your nearest exit. We will exit on to the wings of the plane and take a life boat to land!” the pilot had said.
I was freaking out like it was truly the end of the world. Wasn’t listening to a word the pilot was saying. Thanks god Yash was there. He helped me make my ways though the crowd and out of the plane. He was being my Jack while my Titanic was sinking! We got out of the plan safely and we were aborting a life boat. As we walked on a guy handed me the last life vest. All 155 passengers were off the plane and on land. People were all worried about how we will get our stuff back; our jewelry, clothing, electronics, and all of our valuables. The pilot was trying to keep everyone down and hope the police had a answer. The pilot was finally told what would happen. He looked at everyone with a ire look and said in a uncomfortable voice “The government does not have a way to determine what belongs to who so they will be taking it all in”. Everyone was furious! After a while when everything was settled Yash and I went for a cup of coffee!
