LarryJ

The data exists. What open recommendations does the NTSB have regarding aircraft evacuations? That is a good place to start.

You can search the NTSB database for such recommendations.

Here's one from the AAL 767 uncontained engine failure during takeoff at ORD a few years ago. Six of the nine recommendations are related to evacuation.

https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/...CA17FA021.aspx

I don't know of any recommendations for changes to how the maximum seating capacity is determined but that doesn't mean that there aren't some.

chollie

There's also the uncomfortable issue of people who require wheelchair assistance to board and deplane. Presumably the FAs have training on how best to handle those situations.

People weren't flying with pets and service animals in the 60's either. You might convince most people to leave their bags behind, but no one is leaving a pet or service animal behind.

Heyden

In life and death situations hard choices may have to be made. I would hope the FA's training includes not letting passengers who need wheelchair assistance impede the egress of other passengers or place their own lives at additional risk.

Palal

The difference is that the rules will stay the same, and how they implement them will change, resulting in a more realistic interpretation of them, and, potentially higher safety benefits.

SPN Lifer

I would fully expect that flight attendant (FA) training does not include sacrificing the lives of those with disabilities.

LarryJ

It involved evacuating the able-bodied first then helping the rest get out.

CDTraveler

That presumes the FA's are physically able to oversee the evacuation. Look at the recent Singapore Airlines incident, several FA's were among the injured. What if there is damage to the aircraft that required an emergency evacuation upon landing, and multiple FA's are injured? Too many people ignore the safety briefings now, so you'd be left with not only the disabled needing instruction and assistance, but the pax in general not knowing what to do or how to do it.

My personal opinion is that the greatest impediment to a fast evacuation is baggage fees. Somebody trying to save their roll-aboard from the overhead bin would cause a serious logjam in the aisle, but nobody is going to try to rescue their luggage from the cargo compartment. Get more baggage out of the passenger compartment.