Your lifejacket is underneath your seat (or is it?)
Apr 28, 2019, 11:49 pm
#31
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: London
Programs: BAEC-GGL, GFL, *A Gold, Hilton Diamond , IHG Diamond/Ambassador
Posts: 244
- The overhead life vest location is readily visible to a seated passenger.
- Accessing the life vests is simple and obvious.
- The centralized location of the life vest stowage offers a means for passengers to assist other people with life vest retrieval if required, similar to oxygen mask installation.
- It provides an additional means for passengers to recognize their life vest stowage location by observing other passengers.
- This location is more readily accessible to the larger passengers.
- This location is not subject to damage from luggage or other passengers.
- This location will minimize pilferage due to compartment visibility.
- In a ditching situation the life vests will be available even during rising water.
Apr 29, 2019, 12:45 am
#33
Join Date: Sep 2016
Programs: Hilton/Diamond, BA/Gold
Posts: 158
My standard procedure when sitting down is to check life vest (I've never had a missing one in nearly 200 segments) and have a row count to the nearest exit. I have no fears about flying but think being at least remotely prepared is worthwhile, that along with paying attention to the safety briefings.
Story familiar to many I think, last flight back from Tel Aviv there was a woman sat next to me who kept her headphones in, on a phone conversation, during the safety briefing. Crew asked her to hang up, turn the phone off, and listen to the briefing. She replied she flys every week and knows what to do, the cabin crew asked her "where is the nearest door and how do you open it". A rather embarrassed passenger removed her headphones. She was a special one, claiming to "forget" to tell the crew she has a severe nut allergy about 2 hours into the flight and then having a tantrum about them serving peanuts
Story familiar to many I think, last flight back from Tel Aviv there was a woman sat next to me who kept her headphones in, on a phone conversation, during the safety briefing. Crew asked her to hang up, turn the phone off, and listen to the briefing. She replied she flys every week and knows what to do, the cabin crew asked her "where is the nearest door and how do you open it". A rather embarrassed passenger removed her headphones. She was a special one, claiming to "forget" to tell the crew she has a severe nut allergy about 2 hours into the flight and then having a tantrum about them serving peanuts
Apr 29, 2019, 1:56 am
#34
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,020
I too always check. I like to know.
I know on (some) Ryanair planes, (and presumably some other 737 operators - as mentioned above), have the life jackets above your head near the oxygen masks. So if they aren’t below the seat they could be above you!
I know on (some) Ryanair planes, (and presumably some other 737 operators - as mentioned above), have the life jackets above your head near the oxygen masks. So if they aren’t below the seat they could be above you!
Apr 29, 2019, 2:08 am
#36
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: BA, Virgin, Lufthansa
Posts: 183
Generally always check but not had one missing so far
Count the seats to the nearest emergency exit
Always watch the crew safety demonstration as much out of courtesy to them as anything else
Often wonder why some life jackets have clips and others rely on people to tie a knot!
Count the seats to the nearest emergency exit
Always watch the crew safety demonstration as much out of courtesy to them as anything else
Often wonder why some life jackets have clips and others rely on people to tie a knot!
Apr 29, 2019, 2:23 am
#37
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold / OW Emerald
Posts: 753
Thanks for all your responses. I didn't dare to think people would steal them but I guess that's that. Also mine might just have slipped away since the velcro tape was quite old.
My view on this is that it's just a good habit, as small of an impact as it may have. Just like checking the contents of the storage pocket in front of you before leaving the aircraft
But I can understand that some wouldn't want to bother with that - with good reason.
My view on this is that it's just a good habit, as small of an impact as it may have. Just like checking the contents of the storage pocket in front of you before leaving the aircraft
But I can understand that some wouldn't want to bother with that - with good reason.
Apr 29, 2019, 2:38 am
#38
Join Date: May 2009
Location: London
Programs: BA
Posts: 1,408
I think the light and whistle that comes for free with your life jacket purchase is potentially of greater value after you’ve exited the plane.
If the slides detach as they are supposed to then you should only be in the water for minutes. I’ve no idea if there are enough space on the slides to accommodate all passengers, but no doubt an informed FTer will.
I’d be more worried about passengers inflating then inside the plane (a la Ethiopian Airways) and contributing to a problem.
If the slides detach as they are supposed to then you should only be in the water for minutes. I’ve no idea if there are enough space on the slides to accommodate all passengers, but no doubt an informed FTer will.
I’d be more worried about passengers inflating then inside the plane (a la Ethiopian Airways) and contributing to a problem.
Apr 29, 2019, 3:24 am
#39
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: UK. BAEC AAdvantage
Programs: Mucci Des Oeufs Brouilles et des Canards
Posts: 3,671
Can't recall if it was one of the Air Crash Investigations programmes, but there I think I recall seeing a reenactment where a pax put on the life vest and inflated it for an on land crash landing, the theory being that it offered extra cushioning during impact. He also covered himself with the airline blanket which protected him from the fireball that went through the plane.
Apr 29, 2019, 4:18 am
#40
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Plymouth, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,159
I always check by feeling under the seat or looking for the red tab when in premium seating. Always found one so far
I have wondered what I should do if I didn't find it there... just report it to the CC I suppose in the hope they have a spare?
I have wondered what I should do if I didn't find it there... just report it to the CC I suppose in the hope they have a spare?
Apr 29, 2019, 4:37 am
#41
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold / OW Emerald
Posts: 753
I did just that after the security demonstration. In the A321 they had a box of spares in the emergency exit row, under one of the seats. Seemed like it wasn't a huge hassle except for the fact the staff was a bit surprised.
Apr 29, 2019, 5:26 am
#42
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, IHG, Enterprise, Avios, Nexus
Posts: 8,355
I've never checked and don't care whether it's there. When I fly BA it is over the North Atlantic. My prospects of surviving a ditching are near zero. Hypothermia will get me before rescuers do. The only benefit of the life jacket therefore is facilitating recovery of my corpse.
Apr 29, 2019, 5:30 am
#43
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: London
Programs: Mucci (Scirocco Sash), BAEC Gold, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 863
I always check.
But there are other things you can do to improve your chances of surviving an "accident" that provide a larger "bang for the buck" and most have already been mentioned...
Knowing how to get to your nearest exits, both in front and behind, and on both sides (not something emphasized by safety demos/videos) with the plane in any orientation and without being able to see.
Knowing how to unbuckle your seat belt in any orientation and without being able to see.
Having near instant access to a smoke hood.
Wearing sturdy shoes and clothing that is not going to melt with extreme heat, during take-off and landing.
If your are actually in an "accident" YMMV!
rb211.
But there are other things you can do to improve your chances of surviving an "accident" that provide a larger "bang for the buck" and most have already been mentioned...
Knowing how to get to your nearest exits, both in front and behind, and on both sides (not something emphasized by safety demos/videos) with the plane in any orientation and without being able to see.
Knowing how to unbuckle your seat belt in any orientation and without being able to see.
Having near instant access to a smoke hood.
Wearing sturdy shoes and clothing that is not going to melt with extreme heat, during take-off and landing.
If your are actually in an "accident" YMMV!
rb211.
Apr 29, 2019, 6:14 am
#44
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,209
I might have checked if I'd spotted something hanging down from underneath my seat, however my mind is usually on other things. Like wondering if the immaculate brunette checking my groin area is PUCCI GALORE.
Apr 29, 2019, 8:18 am
#45
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 303
Can't recall if it was one of the Air Crash Investigations programmes, but there I think I recall seeing a reenactment where a pax put on the life vest and inflated it for an on land crash landing, the theory being that it offered extra cushioning during impact. He also covered himself with the airline blanket which protected him from the fireball that went through the plane.