Originally Posted by
Starship73
An evacuation via slides will usually result in some minor injuries (ankle sprains etc or occasionally worse) and so would not be initiated unless deemed absolutely necessary by the crew
Before we go too far down the rabbit hole here. There were reports from reputable sources of an engine fire, which were completely false. We also have reports, from someone, of jammed doors.
The Airbus pressurisation system opens the outflow valves on landing, equalizing the pressure.
If the Smoke Fire and Fumes Checklist has been auctioned, and in this case I have absolutely no doubt it was, then:
a. Initially the flight crew will be planning a diversion.
b. They will be reconfiguring the electrical system to reduce electrical demands thereby eliminating most causes of smoke.
c. They will be venting cabin air overboard and stopping any recirculation of air.
If the source is not obvious then a rapid descent to 10000ft will be started.
At this point and at any time during this checklist an immediate landing is being considered. Also IF at any time the smoke is the greatest threat then the aircraft will be depressurised.
So the aircraft landing should be either depressurised, or in a normal pressurisation mode, the "jammed" doors thing is just more panicked stories or half heard things being repeated as gospel.
People behave very, very, very differently when scared. Assertive people become mice, some just freeze, others just wait for clear instruction and wait for the crew to guide them.
No emergency event is ever " perfect" and lessons are always learned. Comms from the flight deck in a smoke event are almost impossible - its darned hard just to brief the crew and it is likely that hearing the " Darth Vader" impression of a pilot on a full face oxygen mask will help calm anyone.
On the ground, again the pilots will be doing their best to assess the situation and until we know what info was presented to them we cannot really assess how or why they made their decision to stay onboard as long as they did, given the same info I may have made the same decisions as them, so can well just dial back the criticisms of who decided what and when.
To me it sounds like the cabin crew did a stellar job in a very stressful situation. Hats off to them for a job very well done. It gives me great comfort to know that I work with such professional and capable colleagues. As for the flight crew I think they did well but will await the reports and analysis to learn from their efforts.
Everyone survived and there was no panic - a job well done.