Families watch hearings together in WNY

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) - Many loved ones who couldn't travel to Washington for the NTSB hearings, are watching it together in western New York.

Turning tragedy into triumph, that is the hope of many families at Millennium Hotel in Cheektowaga. About 30 families gathered at the hotel Tuesday, around 9:30 a.m, to watch the hearings.

Karen Wielinski was one of the first to get situated Tuesday morning, sitting up near the front. As you may know, the plane came down on her Long Street home, killing her husband. She and her daughter miraculously escaped.

News 4 spoke with Jim Neill, his daughter Jennifer died in the crash. So far, he hasn't heard anything new, but is impressed with how thorough the NTSB has been. He and others are really anxious to hear what recommendations will be made, to make aviation safer, and those recommendations probably won't come until later Tuesday.

Neill said, "This is an excellent session, it just takes all of us into the details, and confirms what we thought."

What would Neill like to see come out of this?

"We need mandated legislation in regards to pilot training," said Neill.

Tuesday is a long day for the families, many of them going through a mix of emotions.

Representatives from Pinnacle, Colgan and Continental are at the Millennium Hotel, watching the hearings with the victims' loved ones.

>>Complete coverage of Flight 3407, available here.