Originally Posted by
jpezaris
Call me cynical, but the safety videos on United are more about entertainment and fulfilling the letter, but not spirit, of the law. If they were to really communicate critical issues about safety, they would, for example, convey the idea of, "blowing into the tube," as wrapping your lips around it and actually huffing and puffing like you're inflating a balloon instead of blowing away some dust.
I think it was originally a goal to get more people to pay attention to the video. However, that really only would happen first time one sees the video, after than, no one will pay attention. Now, I can barely understand the actual safety content. I once asked my mom (who's english is poor) whether she understands the video and she has no idea. She can understand the normal videos. Even in the old videos, I never saw things like brace position demonstrated. Putting on the life vest is usually explained in great detail, but then they gloss over the fact that one should not inflate the life vest until exiting the plane
Originally Posted by
LarryJ
We have two of the containment bags on the narrow-bodies, one of which is in the flight deck. I don't know if there is a third on the wide-bodies. The bags include the fireproof gloves.
Then fire extinguishers can not put out a battery fire. They can slow it down, but the best way to fight it is with liquid which cools it down. The fire extinguishers can put out fires in surrounding materials but getting it in the fire containment bag is the goal. That's why loose batteries can not be in checked bags and why the batteries must be removed from smart bags in the cabin. They have to be accessible so that they can be put into the containment bag.
Those containment bags are put to use far more often than I would have thought.
Do these bags seal when shut? Wouldn't the bag eventually explode depending on the size of the fire? We fly commercial UAVs at work (Part 107) with large batteries. We use a metal box that isn't air tight (similar to an old ammo box). The thought is that the flames would be mostly contained but the smoke would vent out. Ofcouse smoke is alot more of a hazard on a plane than in a building.
Also, I've always been curious, I understand why they need to be removed if the bag is being checked but why do batteries need to be removed from smart bags in the cabin? Shouldn't batteries be removed from non-smart bags too? I figure it is safer to have them near the passenger where it is easier to notice if smoke/flames start coming out.