Ask the Pilot: BA 777 in Vegas: How NOT to Evacuate a Burning Plane
#16
I've seen the arguments of, "Oh shucks, people panic, give them a break."
Ok, no problem, besides, they've already come down the slides and if they were made to drop/get rid of the bags, it would slow down the process even more, right?
I would totally be in favor of using all those videos uploaded to the Interwebs to prosecute and penalize every single last person seen carrying a bag. Hopefully, their valuables were worth it.
And if someone had actually been seriously injured or killed, all those people should be held as jointly liable to the loss.
Ok, no problem, besides, they've already come down the slides and if they were made to drop/get rid of the bags, it would slow down the process even more, right?
I would totally be in favor of using all those videos uploaded to the Interwebs to prosecute and penalize every single last person seen carrying a bag. Hopefully, their valuables were worth it.
And if someone had actually been seriously injured or killed, all those people should be held as jointly liable to the loss.
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
Programs: No programs & No Points!!!
Posts: 14,222
If you fronted up to evacuate with your big wheely bag, what should a flight attendant do at the top of the slide? Let you take your bag or throw it on to some empty seats out of the way? What are they told to do in an emergency.
#18
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,883
This is exactly how I feel. My carry on is always in the overhead, i'd never grab it and it's where I keep my laptop. But my backpack which always has medicine, passports and other critical stuff is always at my feet. I prefer window seats so the chances of me being at the front of any pack are extremely slim. By time the herd was moving I'd easily have my backpack on my back.
Did anyone else see the young lady with her shoes in hand? This is why we frequent fliers keep them on for take off and landing!
Did anyone else see the young lady with her shoes in hand? This is why we frequent fliers keep them on for take off and landing!
No high heels on the slide please. &
Some people may be able to run faster with shoes off ?
#19
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,311
If I was in a window seat, had to wait for the rest of the row to clear out, and my backpack (with meds and laptop) was at my feet, I'd probably put it on my back because it would add zero time to the overall process. Once it's on, it feels like part of me. I'm used to maneuvering in awkward places while wearing it.
The rules are black and white. No room for any grey when lives are involved.
#20
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 7,605
"Dans ce pays-ci, il est bon de tuer de temps en temps un amiral pour encourager les autres".
#21
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,163
"Passenger jailed for taking cancer medications with them when fleeting flaming plane"
#22
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Brexile in ADB
Programs: BA, TK, HHonours, Le Club, Best Western Rewards
Posts: 7,067
You are never going to get 100% compliance in an emergency, but if there were more education backed up with the possibility of sanctions, (imaging the safety briefing stating "in the very unlikely event of an emergency evacuation, leave your seat and make your way towards the nearest emergency exit taking nothing with you, taking luggage with you is a Civil/Federal/etc offence and may lead to a fine or imprisonment").
The aim would be to reduce the number of people taking luggage with them which in turn would reduce the possibility of fatalities.
The aim would be to reduce the number of people taking luggage with them which in turn would reduce the possibility of fatalities.
#23
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Brexile in ADB
Programs: BA, TK, HHonours, Le Club, Best Western Rewards
Posts: 7,067
#24
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: STL
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Silver
Posts: 4
What are the odds of getting your stuff stolen when the plane is on fire and you are evacuating in an emergency situation. Who wants to stop to rifle through a purse or two? Or a first responder there to save your life is going to go through your stuff to steal it after they have saved your life.
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,417
What are the odds of getting your stuff stolen when the plane is on fire and you are evacuating in an emergency situation. Who wants to stop to rifle through a purse or two? Or a first responder there to save your life is going to go through your stuff to steal it after they have saved your life.
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Programs: Sometimes known as [ARG:6 UNDEFINED]
Posts: 26,716
A little more emphasis during the safety briefing might be about all that can be done.
And let's face it: The odds of you or I ever being in a situation where we have to make a decision about taking personal luggage with us in an evacuation are really, really, really small. @:-)
(I do like the idea of somehow locking all the overhead bins for takeoff and landing - would probably have to be some kind of electronic lock system added; weight would be a factor; but would also prevent the occasional opening and dumping of contents during rough takeoffs and landings.)
#28
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 321
(Any lawyers here wanna chime in? :P )
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,417