I wish you were all passengers on some of my flights, I have a real time trying to get some to fasten their seatbelts in flight.

Can someone also tell me why passengers feel the need to unfasten their seatbelts and stand up as the aircraft is coming upto the gate? There is no way that it helps you get off any quicker, as we still have to open the doors first!

happy and safe flying all http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I just returned from a long flight where, on both legs, passengers in F (who should know better) repeatedly violated the seat belt light, even to go to the bathroom. Imagine being in there with severe turbulence! I don't understand why people are so oblivious to the problem of unexpected turbulence, which has received lots of press over the years.

I'm glad to be reminded about the hazard that these passengers pose to others. I think I would quietly tell the FA if my seatmate refused to buckle up.

Now, some people just don't know better. Once in coach a lady let her 4-year old child run up the aisle right when the wheels were leaving the ground on takeoff. I and a couple of other passengers were horrified, grabbed the kid and strapped him into an empty seat. I think the lady just didn't know better, but I wonder if she watched the safety video that was just shown!

One of the roughest flights I've ever experienced was on the LHR-AMS run. Were you the one who threw up on me? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Neal (edited 06-02-2001).]

i think the issue of keeping your seatbealt fastened would be put to rest if there was an in-flight video that showed what it was like. i say this, because i have yet to meet someone who has said, "i was on a flight with bad turbulence, and a guy got flung up into the ceiling, and hurt his head. but i still disobey the seatbelt sign." everyone who has been through one of those SEVERE drops, wears their seatbelt all the time. heck, i have a pair of velcro pants i wear to keep me glued to the seat. (only works in coach! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif )

if they included footage of passengers being flung and slammed around inside an airplane that was going through turbulence, i think most would buckle up. imagine this scene, as the FAs bref us prior to the flight, "...even though the bag doesnt inflate, oxygen is flowing freely. now please sit back and enjoy this movie of what happens to people who dont keep their seatbelts fastened while in their seats, and who walk in the cabin after the pilot warns us of turbulence..." then it cuts to a scene that looks like the lottery balls flying around, except when you look closely, you see its people and laptops.

its also fun to meet people who have been burned because they got a hot coffee and the bumps sloshed it all over them. whenever i get coffee, i say a prayer to the nearest available god to keep the flight smooth for ten minutes while i drink it. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

This [movie] is a great idea. Not only will it convince people to keep their seat belts fastened, but think of the white-knuckle fliers who might opt to drive or stay home.

BTW, I cured myself of that condition by telling myself that the pilot was up front, in control and vulnerable, and s/he didn't want to die either.

[This message has been edited by hobmom (edited 06-02-2001).]

[This message has been edited by hobmom (edited 06-02-2001).]

On a UA 767 from ORD-LHR a few years ago, I experienced what was the very worst turbulence (for me) ever. Flight attendants were of course instructed to sit down, buckle up and suspend meal service. The turbulence lasted a good half hour.

Afterwards, the pilot got on the PA and tried to reassure everyone that they were safe. He said that the aircraft was designed to take considerably more abuse than what we just went through.

I think what really freaks out many casual flyers, is to look out the window and see the wings bending! Of course, this "bend" ability is what ironically keeps the wings from actually breaking off.

If you unbuckle your seat belt while the seat belt sign is on, aren't you technically breaking a federal law. "Federal law requires all passengers to comply with all placards, lighted signs, and crew member instructions." Last time I checked the seat belt sign was a lighted sign.

I was on an AA 757 from DFW-DCA this March when we encountered what the pilot called "moderate to severe turbulence" about an 1.5 hours outbound from DFW. The FAs had just finished serving after-lunch drinks, and were told to strap-in.

However, my fellow pax continuted a steady stream to the lavs, even after the FAs almost stringent encouragement to stay in your seats. I stayed as strapped-in as I could, as I tried to keep my drink from falling off the fold-down to the floor.

Just to let you know how it was, I had a Flight Captain and First Officer deadheading back a row ahead and opposite, and the Captain said that was the worst flight he had since flying through a thunderstorm in FL in 1987.

in the good old days [60's] you could tell a ff because when they got on they would buckle in & as soon as we were off the ground,they would un buckle & go to sleep. i personally haven't had probs on commercial do to no belt, but have had on private planes. pilot was going around a thunder head [ no lightning] & in clear air we dropped 500 ft. well, one was mixing drinks & hit the overhead, 2 pull out tables were demolished [$3000] & we lost some rum. a tradagey. i always have my belt on. the few times i've been reminded by fa is when i waited til the a&b people boarded & forgot. it's automatic in my car.

[This message has been edited by clacko (edited 06-03-2001).]

When I board, I immediately take my seat, buckle in tightly, and fall asleep.

White knuckelers hate me (had one sitting next to me once), and was trading flight horror stories with the pax on the other side, while fiddling with the barf bag like a hand puppet http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/tongue.gif