Originally Posted by
visitor
Transport Canada (and the FAA) may appear to be far too strict compared to other jurisdictions, but the safety record of US and Canadian operators is still better than anywhere else, see Slide 17 of
Statistical Summary of Commercial Jet Airplane Accidents Worldwide Operations 1959 -2011 .
Also worth looking at Slide 20, which shows how landing is the most dangerous phase of a flight: 37% of all acccidents, 29% of all onboard fatalities for a ~4% time exposure (based on a short 1.5 hour flight, obviously much lower time exposure on a long-haul)
Foreign airlines are getting much better though, whereas North American airlines, while better, or not improving.
Originally Posted by
daph
The pilot warned us as we approached DEN on SWA last month that it's usually rough coming in. Soon, we hit a pocket. Man, who had not fastened belt even when requested, hit underneath the bin. His laptop on the seat in between us may have flown up but what I did notice was his I-phone went up, smacked me on the forehead and crashed to the floor. Next time I'll try to sit next to a more thoughtful seatmate with a higher IQ [or I'll call the FA for support].
That always annoys me too, although I've never seen something like that.
I've flown small aircraft, and I don't think most people really understand just what a bit of turbulence can do.
I may not be perfect though. During descent, I am usually holding my phone, but it's my only "loose" article, and I'm wearing my seat belt.