Originally Posted by
nancypants
I check every time, even when i’m flying from (say) Alice Springs to katherine where there’s absolutely squat all water involved at any point
I also count rows to the exit, even when flying qantas, and practice undoing my seatbelt
I know it sounds utterly stupid but I do it for a few reasons
1) reprogramming the muscle memory (for example, you’d be amazed how many frequent flyers revert to “undoing the car seatbelt” motions in an evacuation, and this is even more complicated now plane seatbelts vary so much)
2) so if stuff is missing, it can be noted and replaced before it actually is required
3) so the crew have one person paying some attention to them having to stand there and demonstrate things
Oh grief, that reminded me of the missing SoB card on QF. Well it wasn't missing, the one in my seat pocket was for a wrong aircraft type. When I reported it to a cabin crew member it was handled really badly. She barely acknowledged it, and did not give me a replacement despite mild hints from me.
After quite some time, I politely and gently pointed out that it was legally required. Eventually I got one off her colleague.
Anyway, that resulted in my writing to QF, because it could have resulted in their getting into trouble with CASA had I been a CASA inspector. A day or two later I got a call from QF to apologise and to tell me what actions were taken to make sure it won't happen again.