NEW YORK, NY February 24, 2009 —Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger is warning Congress that commercial airline pilots are in an "untenable" financial situation and that flying expertise like his will soon be entirely absent from the industry.

Testifying before a House aviation subcommittee this morning, Sullenberger, who became a national hero after a successful emergency landing in the Hudson River last month, says the pay and pension for the job he loves have been slashed, and the best pilots are quitting.

SULLENBERGER: I attempt to speak accurately and plainly, so please do not think I exaggerate when I say that I do not know a single professional airline pilot who wants his or her children to follow in their footsteps.

REPORTER: Sullenberger urged members of Congress to push for good faith negotiations between management, labor, and safety experts to keep airline travel safe and affordable while financially viable for pilots.

The crew of US Airways flight 1549 is also testifying before the committee, along with the air traffic controller who tried to direct the crippled plane to another landing site.