Flying hazards

The Seattle Times reports on the problem of increased air traffic by both planes and 10-pound birds.

The dramatic landing of a US Airways passenger jet in New York City's Hudson River on Thursday has focused attention on potentially catastrophic bird-versus-plane collisions, said Sea-Tac biologist Steve Osmek. US Air Flight 1549 landed in the Hudson after Canada geese apparently were sucked into its engines, disabling both.

I'm uncertain how they ascertained the geese were disabled. That assumption aside, the man of the hour appears to have been preparing for this his entire life. Impressive and congratulatory. I predict this story turns into a bestseller.