The call took place at 6:45PM Eastern:
Incoming White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said in a statement that President-elect Obama and US Airways Captain Chelsy Sullenberger had a five-minute phone call Friday:
"At 6:45 PM, President-elect Obama spoke with Capt. Chesley Sullenberger III, the pilot of US Airways flight 1549," wrote Gibbs.
"The President-elect told Capt. Sullenberger how proud everyone was for the heroic and graceful job he had done in landing the damaged aircraft yesterday.
"The President-elect also thanked his crew and the many people on the scene in New York for ensuring the safety of everyone on board the plane."
Somehow, during his farewell speech, Bush couldn't be troubled to even mention the heroism of not just Sullenberger but the passengers and rescuers.
© Jed Lewison