Keep your seatbelts fastened!
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Alexandria, VA USA
Posts: 417
Keep your seatbelts fastened!
"As a reminder, we strongly recommend that you keep your seatbelt fastened at all times, not just when the "fasten seatbelt" sign is illuminated...."
17 years ago today, on April 28, 1988, an Aloha Airlines suffered an explosive decompression while flying at FL190 near Kahului, Hawaii. Nearly 1/3 of the aircraft's roof was lost in the incident. 1 flight attendant among the 95 passengers and crew aboard was killed.
http://www.airdisaster.com/photos/aloha243/photo.shtml
17 years ago today, on April 28, 1988, an Aloha Airlines suffered an explosive decompression while flying at FL190 near Kahului, Hawaii. Nearly 1/3 of the aircraft's roof was lost in the incident. 1 flight attendant among the 95 passengers and crew aboard was killed.
http://www.airdisaster.com/photos/aloha243/photo.shtml
#4
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Dallas, TX, AA 3MM EXP, WN
Posts: 1,808
Originally Posted by Analise
As rare as this occurrence is (thank God), this is why I am stunned some parents fly with their babies on their lap. A separate seat can save a life.
#5
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 55,130
Originally Posted by MrMan
My understanding is that studies show that families will end of driving rather than paying for the seat. A baby is statistically safer in a lap on a plane than in a car seat driving.
#6
Join Date: May 2004
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Originally Posted by Analise
There are always more accidents in cars than on airplanes. That said, if you fly in an airplane, you can play the statistical gamble of holding a child on your lap and the odds will be in your favor. Nothing should happen. But if I were the parent, such odds wouldn't be good enough for me.
#7
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Originally Posted by Analise
There are always more accidents in cars than on airplanes. That said, if you fly in an airplane, you can play the statistical gamble of holding a child on your lap and the odds will be in your favor. Nothing should happen. But if I were the parent, such odds wouldn't be good enough for me.
#8
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Originally Posted by gate_pourri
Maybe I watch too many movies, but I was under the impression that if something like this happened, the seats would eventually get sucked out as well?
Movies and TV are probably about the worst places to learn facts about aircraft accidents and incidents.
#9
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 223
I don't necessarily anticipate metal-fatigue ripping the ceiling off during my flight but clear-air turbulence are real experiences on most of my flights. I don't understand why some people insist with reasons why they don't like wearing them beyond takeoff and landing. I might assist administering first aid to the dope who goes flying but I won't pity the person. If they don't care about their own safety I certainly care if they jeopardize mine!
http://www.ttd.org/Resolutions/Mar1998/no.8.htm
http://www.ttd.org/Resolutions/Mar1998/no.8.htm
Last edited by SFWanderer; Apr 28, 05 at 5:48 pm
#11
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I don't think I'd want 15lbs of wriggling child sat on my lap for upwards of an hour. A seat for a child seems to be the most sensible way forwards.
As for the OP's point I had no idea why they recommended leaving the belt on through normal flight. Now I do, and I think that while the chances are small of coming to harm, I'll keep the belt loosely about my waist thankyouverymuch.
As for the OP's point I had no idea why they recommended leaving the belt on through normal flight. Now I do, and I think that while the chances are small of coming to harm, I'll keep the belt loosely about my waist thankyouverymuch.
#12
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: MCI
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I'm with SF. Some of the most miserable passengers I've seen (in the sense of being unhappy themselves AND in the sense of being a pain to be around) are lap children. The almost-2 year olds are the worst. If you can bring their own familiar car seat on board ("if" because it has to be FAA-approved), most of them are not only safer, but calmer.
#13
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Join Date: Mar 2001
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Originally Posted by PorkRind
An interesting comment, Analise. Does that mean that you wouldn't fly or drive, since the odds are even worse when driving?

#14
Join Date: Sep 2004
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I'd think if you kept the baby in a Bjorn or similar device, strapped to (the front of) a parent wearing a seat-belt, the risk of turbulence or decompression harming the baby would be mitigated sufficiently. It could also address the "baby's more comfortable in familiar surroundings" issue.
Not sure I'd want to be the parent in question for a flight of more than an hour or so, though.
Not sure I'd want to be the parent in question for a flight of more than an hour or so, though.
#15
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Originally Posted by Helena Handbaskets
I'd think if you kept the baby in a Bjorn or similar device, strapped to (the front of) a parent wearing a seat-belt, the risk of turbulence or decompression harming the baby would be mitigated sufficiently. It could also address the "baby's more comfortable in familiar surroundings" issue.