With respect

It's exactly why there is such a rigorous selection process and thorough ongoing training for such emergencies. Pilots are selected for their ability to react in these high pressure situations when lives (sometimes hundreds) are at stake.

I'm merely suggesting that I'm questioning whether that affords them heroic status when they do their job. A good friend of mine is a cardiac surgeon, frequently making life-and-death rapid pressurised decisions on a daily basis in the operating theatre. He (or his colleagues) wouldn't for one minute see him as a hero though. He's simply doing his job, he's been thoroughly trained for.