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Old Jul 17, 2011 | 6:45 pm
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FA high heels vs. flats

Why do FAs wear high heels when trekking across the airport and on board during ground operations, then switch to flats while aloft? I would think they would do the opposite.
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Old Jul 17, 2011 | 6:49 pm
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Originally Posted by knadai
Why do FAs wear high heels when trekking across the airport and on board during ground operations, then switch to flats while aloft? I would think they would do the opposite.
I always assumed turbulence is not a friend of high heels.
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Old Jul 17, 2011 | 6:55 pm
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Originally Posted by knadai
Why do FAs wear high heels when trekking across the airport and on board during ground operations, then switch to flats while aloft? I would think they would do the opposite.
In the event of an emergency, would you prefer your FA be wearing heels or flats when he or she needs to help you off the aircraft? My non-FA friend ruined a great pair of Chanel high-heel sandals coming down the wing slide in an emergency evacuation (on the landing at the end of the slide, true story) & now flies mostly in flats.
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Old Jul 17, 2011 | 8:10 pm
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The airport is definitely a "see-and-be-seen" situation, hence the high-heels, dudes wearing coats, etc. The plane is the space they inhabit/work in; you take off your coat like Mr. Rogers, pretend to be cool like Don Draper/Thomas Hudson with a whisky or bourbon, and switch to shoes more practical for the job or just take them off like Bert Cooper.
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Old Jul 17, 2011 | 8:48 pm
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As this thread is not DL-specific, I am moving it over to TravelBuzz.
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Old Jul 17, 2011 | 9:39 pm
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Plus heels are more likely to pop the slides.
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Old Jul 17, 2011 | 10:14 pm
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Originally Posted by PRWeezer
My non-FA friend ruined a great pair of Chanel high-heel sandals coming down the wing slide in an emergency evacuation (on the landing at the end of the slide, true story) & now flies mostly in flats.
I agree with the poster above. In a true emergency, I'd much rather the heels were ruined than the slide! I swear I've seen a safety video or seatback card that said no heels on the slide.
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Old Jul 17, 2011 | 10:29 pm
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Originally Posted by avidflyer
I always assumed turbulence is not a friend of high heels.
LOL - neither are airport treks!
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Old Jul 18, 2011 | 3:34 am
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Originally Posted by sheremetyevo
I agree with the poster above. In a true emergency, I'd much rather the heels were ruined than the slide! I swear I've seen a safety video or seatback card that said no heels on the slide.
Perhaps you have flown Virgin Atlantic. Check out their safety video around 3:27. www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR4dxPISegY
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Old Jul 31, 2011 | 10:49 am
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Originally Posted by BonzoESC
The airport is definitely a "see-and-be-seen" situation, hence the high-heels, dudes wearing coats, etc. The plane is the space they inhabit/work in; you take off your coat like Mr. Rogers, pretend to be cool like Don Draper/Thomas Hudson with a whisky or bourbon, and switch to shoes more practical for the job or just take them off like Bert Cooper.
totally agree! i always thought this was so ridiculous!!!
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Old Jul 31, 2011 | 11:14 am
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When I saw the title I thought "FAs (can) look really hot in high heels".

Then I saw that it originated in the DL forum!
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Old Jul 31, 2011 | 12:00 pm
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Originally Posted by PRWeezer
In the event of an emergency, would you prefer your FA be wearing heels or flats when he or she needs to help you off the aircraft?
Is that what you meant to say, "he or she"?

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Old Jul 31, 2011 | 1:48 pm
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I had heard the floor of the plane was not designed for the high pressures of high heels
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Old Jul 31, 2011 | 2:59 pm
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Hi,

Also the BA safety video says to take off high heels as they may damage the slides.

Regards

TBS
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Old Jul 31, 2011 | 5:25 pm
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Originally Posted by The _Banking_Scot
Hi,

Also the BA safety video says to take off high heels as they may damage the slides.
Being all manly I've never paid specific attention to it, but I do believe most if not all videos (as opposed to manual demonstrations) mention this. Definitely all the actual safety cards say to remove high-heeled shoes.
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