Originally Posted by Paolo01

I think that we are making much ado about nothing. What got those pax safely onto their rescue ships was the calm and orderly egress without hysteria, after a controlled landing in the HUDSON river. If upon all violent motion stopping and the overwing doors being opened and the FA announcing that it was time to start deplaning, I really have no issue with someone pulling there bag stored underneath their seat out or even an overhead if it does not incite a riot or hinder deplaning. Now that bag may not make it all the way to rescue, but if having a carry on bag deflect the hysteria that could easily come with shock and being separated from one belongings, then I would say the seconds it would take to reach under your seat and grab your laptop bag is well worth it.

People do strange things when they are in shock. How you treat a person in shock is OFTEN the difference between life and death in traumatic situations. Sorry, but if some obnoxions lady went for the rear door, was stopped by the FA's. redirected up front and she grabbed her bag along the way, that is small potatos. If that is going to calm her down and get her safely off of the aircraft then YOU would be the idiot to try and spout some FAA reg at her and endanger all of the other PAX. Once on the liferaft or whatever, if there is on other room for additional PAX, then you may need to toss a carry on overboard, but until then, big deal. Get on with the business of helping others.