I don't know if they were bad guys in the movie. Did the events actually happen after the landing,
[Spoil]Did they actually question him the day following the crash/water landing? I thought that was a tad bit quick. Did the models initially show he could have made it back to the airport. Just the mere suggestion that he made the wrong call was the tense part of the movie. Sure the NTSB guy was kind of a jerk but that's just providing an antagonist where there is none IMO.[/Spoil]
It's not a political agenda, it's just creating a bit of an antagonist in a movie where there isn't really one. It happens all the time, especially in true stories.
I understand it happens all the time, but keep in mind if not for Sullenberger, Eastwood would've used the names of real people to screw over just so he could have a better story. Sorry, but that creativity while saying "based on a true story" is just kind of a put off.
Also
[spoil]
Yes, they did question them the day after. The NTSB usually tries to do it sooner than later, that way events are not forgotten. Sullenberger himself was a safety rep and had been involved with other investigations and incidents himself and probably knew what was coming. Questions about drinking and stress at home are not unusual and if the pilot doesn't make it, they interview family and friends. The most difficult question Sullenberger was probably asked was why he didn't tell the passengers they were going into the water (lack of time, he didn't want them fooling around with life jackets instead in brace position).
Could 1549 have made it back to the airport? Not really. In simulations done, the test pilots were sometimes able to make it back, but that was knowing what was going to happen and turning back immediately. When added human factors and real world situation and the 30 seconds that it took 1549, they were not as successful. Also, no one had to tell them this, the NTSB did these on their own. In fact I don't think Sullenberger knew of the findings of these tests until the NTSB revealed them to him.
About 5 days after the incident Robert Benzone, one of the NTSB people, spoke with the media and complimented Sullenberger and Skiles talking about how impressed he was with how calm they were. In fact during the recorder playback with the pilots (which didn't happen for another 4 months and was only in a room full of people), Sullenberger notes the NTSB basically wanted to get the thoughts of the pilots on everything.[/spoil]
