While a bit confused at times once the crisis was largely over, I was very
impressed by the tower controller.
It's been a while since I lived in NY and flying in more peaceful skies in
the midwest I had forgotten the hectic nature of airports like this.
The thing I have always found about NY'ers (in whatever walk of life,
including atc) is that in a crisis they are worth their weight in gold.
The controller's "Cessna you are cleared to land if you can hear me" was
just what I would have wanted to hear in that Cessna in such circumstances!
Good to have a good outcome for once. I only witnessed one midair (at
Bartlesville OK) and it's not something you normally get back on the ground
in a good way from.
bb