your passport to a safe trip abroad
dealing with problems
once in the aircraft
Where to sit: The best place to sit is either on an exit row or
within two rows of one. Most people instinctively exit a plane the way
they entered. Make sure you know where the closest emergency exits are.
Those sitting in exit rows are crucial to everyone's safety. Make sure
that those sitting on the exit rows speak and understand English. The
FAA requires that they be able-bodies enough to remove the window (it
weighs 40-70 pounds) or open the door. If you notice these rules not being
followed, you have the right (and obligation) to report the situation
to the flight attendants to arrange for a passenger to move to another
seat. Removal of the emergency exit window is an important first step
in crash survival.
- Be
grateful for the tight leg room. It
is safer because there is less room
to be thrown around.
- Check
with the air carrier regarding the
number and size of carry-on bags.
Put a softer, lighter bag (with no
sharp edges) in the top bin. In an
emergency, these bins pop open (they
are rated for only 3Gs) and contents
become projectiles. A heavier bag
should be placed under the seat in
front of you. In case of an emergency
while the plane is still moving, brace
your feet against the bag to keep
it from traveling under your feet
where you might trip in your haste
to leave the plane.
- While
on the airplane, remember to keep
items like your laptop computer near
your seat and not in an overhead compartment
away from your view.
- Pay
heed to the flight attendant's emergency
instructions. All planes (even the
same models from the same manufacturers)
are configured differently, particularly
regarding the location and operation
of emergency doors and window. Know
where the nearest two exits are; doors
can jam because of a crash. Count
the number of rows you are away from
these exits. When the plane fills
up with smoke, visibility is zero.
Back up what the attendant says by
reading the emergency card in the
flap in front of you. Caution: Look
before you reach into the pocket.
Passengers have been stabbed with
discarded hypodermic needles.
- Keep
the seatbelt buckled when seated.
Most injuries from air turbulence
occur in a split second. One hundred
percent of the injuries could be eliminated
if seatbelts were worn.
- Keep
debris off the floor, especially magazines
with slick covers, which could cause
you to slip when in a hurry.
- Eighty
percent of all accidents happen at
takeoff and landing. Make sure you
are buckled up securely as acceleration
and deceleration causes the body to
lurch forward and backward, which
could cause injury. Never release
your seatbelt until the plane comes
to a complete stop.
