A "hero" is someone that, without regard for personal safety, interjects him/herself into a situation for which they are not being paid or have not been trained... A professional is someone that does the job for which they're paid/trained in spite of the circumstances. The pilots of the USAir flight dealt with the chitty situation handed them with excellence. But they were just saving their own asses.
I had to quote that before you delete it. Can't afford to lose such a classic.
