Marilyn Kausner wondered whether the White House was listening last year when the National Transportation Safety Board started to reveal its findings on the crash of Flight 3407.

Her answer came Thursday, when she and nine others who lost loved ones in that avoidable disaster met privately with President Obama.

"He said he was shocked at the inexperience of the pilots that were flying our plane,"

Kausner said as she and the other participants described a 10-minute talk with the president

that exceeded their wildest hopes.

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BuffaloNews.com Live: Minute-by-minute review of Obama's visit

Photo galleries: Arrival at airport Lunch at Duff's Industrial Support stop Bystanders awaiting motorcade

Video: Waiting for Obama Air Force One lands Meeting the president

As Obama knew, an investigation uncovered much that has gone wrong with regional airlines:

Crew inattention. A co-pilot who felt pressured to work even while sick. A pilot so

inexperienced in correcting a stall that he twice did the wrong thing.

The families, determined to make the tragedy of Continental Connection Flight 3407 a

watershed event in airline safety, hoped to hear one of the most powerful men on the planet

pledge his support for a series of reforms.

They said Obama did just that, offering to do all he could with his branch of government

— but making no promises when it comes to Congress.

The families are pushing new requirements for more pilot training, more experience in the

cockpit and better efforts to root out pilot fatigue. The changes are written into a

reauthorization bill for the Federal Aviation Administration, but the bill has been caught up

in a congressional dispute over a largely unrelated concern.

"He did a lot of talking, to be honest with you," said Kevin Kuwik, whose girlfriend, Lorin

Maurer, was among the 50 people killed Feb. 12, 2009, in Clarence Center. "He said he was

committed to doing what he could with the executive branch."

"In a lot of respects, it was more than we expected," said John Kausner, the husband of

Marilyn and the father of Ellyce, who died in the crash. "This was 10 minutes with the

president of the United States."

Listen to the full news conference with families of Flight 3407 following the president's visit:

Aides to Rep. Louise M. Slaughter, D-Fairport, had sent Kuwik an e-mail Wednesday, telling

him that a meeting with the president was being set up and that 10 people could attend.

At about 12:35 p.m. Thursday, Obama bounded down the steps of Air Force One, exchanged

pleasantries with some dignitaries and settled into his limousine as a 20-vehicle motorcade

started across a tarmac at Buffalo Niagara International Airport.

Then it stopped seconds later, at the building where the airport's crash/fire/rescue unit

is located. Inside a kitchen area, the families formed a semicircle around the president.

They said he embraced each one and intently listened as they described those who had died.

He mentioned the thoughts that might be conjured up by gathering at the very airport that

Flight 3407 was supposed to reach on that fateful night but never did.

He also said he understood that their quest for greater airline safety keeps the crash of

Flight 3407 fresh in their minds.

"The fact that he took the time to meet with us, as someone said, has lifted our cause

immeasurably, just by that," said Susan Bourque of East Aurora, who lost her sister, 9/11

activist Beverly Eckert.

"It was a somber meeting. There were some tears," said Bill Burton, an Obama spokesman and

Buffalo native who watched the exchanges. "The president thanked them for everything they have

done to move these safety standards forward. Because of their efforts, a lot of progress has

been made."

Bracelets are being sold to create a permanent memorial to the victims of Flight 3407.

Kathy Johnston lost her husband, Kevin, a father of three. She gave Obama a bracelet, and he

wore it as he continued his day in Buffalo. It was noticed on his wrist as he spoke at

Industrial Support Inc. on Depot Street.

Sharon Green, who lost her husband, Brad, in the crash, was the first one to hug the

president.

"I sensed that he really cares," she said. "Because I looked in his eyes. And I see that he

cares."