They call it the “Angel Flight,” and Chris Rooney’s seat was on the right side of the plane.
Setting foot in Denver for the first time since US Airways Flight 1549 landed in the Hudson River on Thursday, Rooney was greeted by a dozen loved ones at Denver International Airport on Saturday afternoon.
He walked hand in hand with his girlfriend and fellow passenger, Karin Hill. His mom, Janis, had tears in her eyes.
“It’s a huge relief to be back,” Rooney said.
The 23-year-old from Parker and Hill, 24, of Boulder were in New York City visiting friends last week and were set to return to Denver from LaGuardia Airport with a connection in Charlotte, N.C.
When they didn’t make it past the Hudson, the couple stayed at a New York hotel and were comforted by their friends, fellow survivors and Rooney’s father.
“We hung out, went into the city, got food, reflected,” Rooney said, describing the moment he saw his father as thankful, relieved, joyous, loving.
His father, Mike, has been a professional pilot for 27 years.
“I was watching the coverage live from Hawaii,” Mike Rooney said. “I didn’t know their itinerary included a connection in Charlotte. It was 10 minutes of sheer terror.”
Both Mike Rooney and his wife didn’t answer when their son called to report his safety from a borrowed phone. When the parents eventually called back the unknown number, they were informed Chris and his girlfriend had survived.
By 5 p.m., Mike Rooney was on a flight to Chicago, landing in New York City to be with his son Friday morning.
“I knew I had to go to support them. Nothing could have kept me away,” Mike Rooney said. “I just thank God we’re all home together.”
Both the Rooney men praised pilot Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger for the safe landing.
“Hearing the kids’ story and all the testimony, the captain did an incredible job, and the crew too,” Mike Rooney said. As for Karin Hill and Chris Rooney, they said they are still overwhelmed, the accident still surreal.
“It was just a freak accident. Getting everyone out was a team effort,” Chris Rooney said. “God definitely took care of us.”
Sally S. Ho: 303-954-1638 or sho@denverpost.com
