Originally Posted by
Self Loading Freight
The Today programme had a wells-spoken chap on complaining that the oxygen masks didn't seem to work
This is a constant complaint when the oxy masks are deployed. Among other issues that come up repeatedly :
- The masks were ill-maintained and dusty; pax mistaking the french chalk used to pack the masks to avoid chafing, which clouds the cabin on deployment.
- The oxy supply didn't work; pax expecting the bag to inflate under normal usage, whereas it only inflates under abnormal usage.
- The flow was inadequate; in fact the limited flow is quite adequate, it's not air you are breathing, it's oxygen, so much less is needed.
- Oxy not there straight away; you do have to pull it, as explaned in every pre-flight safety briefing I have ever heard.
and that there was no PA explaining anything until after the a/c got to 8000'
There is a PA explaining everything given before the start of the flight, which is typically listened to by about 25% of the pax. Notably those who might say "Yes I did listen to the safety briefing, then followed the procedure, everything was fine" are never selected for broadcast by the media.