What a Nutter !
#16
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: PHX/SFO/LAX
Programs: AA-EXP (1.7MM), BA-Slvr, HH-Diamond
Posts: 7,784
The doors do swing outwards, but only after swinging slightly inwards first.
#17

Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA Executive Club, UA Mileage Plus, bmi Diamond Club
Posts: 491
That said, the Mail is famous for such scaremongering, and rarely lets details stand in the way of a good story!
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus, HH Gold, Hertz PC, National Executive, etc.
Posts: 31,670
The force required would be in the neighborhood of 20,000 pounds. I don't see how you could get 20 people with hands on the door and footing sufficient to push that hard. And that's just the air pressure differential, not accounting for safety interlocks.
#19
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
#20
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: PHX/SFO/LAX
Programs: AA-EXP (1.7MM), BA-Slvr, HH-Diamond
Posts: 7,784
I think that's where the confusion lies.. basically most passengers see the final result, but often do not observe when the door is first opened..
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: RNO
Programs: AA/DL/UA
Posts: 11,612
Quite. This was a flight back from a holiday destination, lots of families with little kids - a crazy bloke shouting and trying to open the door must have been pretty terrifying, especially considering the coverage a certain event's anniversary has been getting on tv lately. Heck, I know you can't open a door in flight, but I think I'd have been nervous too.
That said, the Mail is famous for such scaremongering, and rarely lets details stand in the way of a good story!
That said, the Mail is famous for such scaremongering, and rarely lets details stand in the way of a good story!
#23
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Flying Blue, easyJet Plus (!)
Posts: 1,762
So I'd quite happily get up and say "stop being such an idiot, you're worrying other passengers [who don't know the above]". No danger of being sucked out.
Neil
#24
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: PHX/SFO/LAX
Programs: AA-EXP (1.7MM), BA-Slvr, HH-Diamond
Posts: 7,784
#25




Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: South Yorkshire, UK
Programs: VS Silver
Posts: 2,478
Hang on a minute! Has the FT community really just concluded that opening a door, or trying to, in mid-flight is safe?
Yes, the doors do open inwards to break the seal, but the big door handle does just that, and that's why it's so big - to give the leverage to break the seal. Pulling it will depressurise the cabin pretty quickly. Once the door moves inwards away from the seal it swings so that the door twists out of the doorway. Watch the way it moves sometime.
Yes, the doors do open inwards to break the seal, but the big door handle does just that, and that's why it's so big - to give the leverage to break the seal. Pulling it will depressurise the cabin pretty quickly. Once the door moves inwards away from the seal it swings so that the door twists out of the doorway. Watch the way it moves sometime.
#27


Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: Enough to travel better
Posts: 2,023
Hang on a minute! Has the FT community really just concluded that opening a door, or trying to, in mid-flight is safe?
Yes, the doors do open inwards to break the seal, but the big door handle does just that, and that's why it's so big - to give the leverage to break the seal. Pulling it will depressurise the cabin pretty quickly. Once the door moves inwards away from the seal it swings so that the door twists out of the doorway. Watch the way it moves sometime.
Yes, the doors do open inwards to break the seal, but the big door handle does just that, and that's why it's so big - to give the leverage to break the seal. Pulling it will depressurise the cabin pretty quickly. Once the door moves inwards away from the seal it swings so that the door twists out of the doorway. Watch the way it moves sometime.
#28
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
I would assume that there is a safety mechanism to prevent the door flying open midflight..?
#29
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: PHX/SFO/LAX
Programs: AA-EXP (1.7MM), BA-Slvr, HH-Diamond
Posts: 7,784

I don't think anyone has come to that conclusion?!

The door can not be opened nor a seal broken once the cabin is pressurized, and the size of the door handle has nothing to do with it.
#30
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: PHX/SFO/LAX
Programs: AA-EXP (1.7MM), BA-Slvr, HH-Diamond
Posts: 7,784
People, I really don't see the confusion here. The door acts as a plug in the airframe when the cabin is pressurized, and because it has to move inwards first it is impossible for someone to open the door.
No. No door simply swings out. They all swing inwards first then out.
No. No door simply swings out. They all swing inwards first then out.
Last edited by ByrdluvsAWACO; Sep 17, 2011 at 10:36 pm




