Over wing emergency exit. Great instructions
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Join Date: Jan 2008
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Over wing emergency exit. Great instructions
For the first time ever, when in an emergency exit seat, I was given full and comprehensive instructions.
Flying SA from PLZ to CPT.
The instructions were of course on the card but also diagrams etc were pasted on the frame at the side of window ( including the weight of the window).
CC gave very clear instructions on removing the window.
He also explained " Check for smoke / fire on my side" and how to indicate to other passengers NOT to use my exit.
I really appreciated this well presented, in your face, "this is serious!" approach. Well done SA.
It certainly underlined that the primary role of CC is first, safety for all then every thing else is secondary.
I am not so sure I would stand with my back to the window with my arms crossed across my chest trying to ensure the other exits were used instead.
I am unsure if the rest of the pax were briefed to understand my potential message.
These instructions came as a bit of a shock to my infrequent travelling friends across the ailse.
Is this sort of approach carried out on other carriers?
Are there any significant variations on the instructions?
Flying SA from PLZ to CPT.
The instructions were of course on the card but also diagrams etc were pasted on the frame at the side of window ( including the weight of the window).
CC gave very clear instructions on removing the window.
He also explained " Check for smoke / fire on my side" and how to indicate to other passengers NOT to use my exit.
I really appreciated this well presented, in your face, "this is serious!" approach. Well done SA.
It certainly underlined that the primary role of CC is first, safety for all then every thing else is secondary.
I am not so sure I would stand with my back to the window with my arms crossed across my chest trying to ensure the other exits were used instead.
I am unsure if the rest of the pax were briefed to understand my potential message.
These instructions came as a bit of a shock to my infrequent travelling friends across the ailse.
Is this sort of approach carried out on other carriers?
Are there any significant variations on the instructions?
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Very similar to what you will find on just about any Canadian airline, as there is a requirement ensure that each passenger who is seated next to a window emergency exit is informed by a crew member that the window is an emergency exit and is made aware of how to operate that exit.
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Comair (BA) used to have the same kind of in-your-face demo between WDH and JNB. Also, the CC would check with you whether you would be willing to do what is required, or whether you're just sitting in the emergency exit row for the legroom, and whether you were even capable of doing it in the first place.
S.
S.
Well done SA - and all the other airlines that brief this aspect of "self-help" SEP properly.
As a casual observer ( aka "commuting crew") it's always interested me to see the response from pax sitting in these rows when told of their responsibilities and also that they cannot now stow their 15 items of handbaggage under the seat in front of them.....the usual grumble is then along the lines of ".. I only wanted this row because of the leg room, don't bother me with the other ***".
Perhaps these facts should be made clear at check-in, or better still the row reserved for positioning/commuting crew
As a casual observer ( aka "commuting crew") it's always interested me to see the response from pax sitting in these rows when told of their responsibilities and also that they cannot now stow their 15 items of handbaggage under the seat in front of them.....the usual grumble is then along the lines of ".. I only wanted this row because of the leg room, don't bother me with the other ***".
Perhaps these facts should be made clear at check-in, or better still the row reserved for positioning/commuting crew
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i work for a 'leading' British charter operator and for many years now we have given a full (semi ABP) briefing to all passengers sat in seat rows adjacent to 'self help' (o/wing) exits, including checking for hazards etc and full opening instructions, suprisingly on a couple of occassions pax have asked to be moved as they dont want the responsibility but most listen carefully and are happy to sit there (usually due to extra legroom)
Not over-wing, but had an interesting piece of SLF DIY instruction on an old TU-154 on a very domestic flight in China in the early 90'ies.
I was in seat B and A was removed and replaced with a huge crate with an instruction afixed.
EMERGENCY SLIDE
1. Remove emergency exit. (No problem apart from an engine located just outside)
2. Open crate
3. Take out slide
4. Remove string holding slide bundlet up
5. Throw slide out emergency exit
6. Open valve on air bottle to inflate slide
7. Try to fit your body through emergency exit
8. Pray slide is still there
Scenes of Chinese passengers getting points 5 and 6 mixed up kept flashing past my eyes and might explain why I kept choking on my Cognac. No, not from the inflight "service", from my private flask.
Per
I was in seat B and A was removed and replaced with a huge crate with an instruction afixed.
EMERGENCY SLIDE
1. Remove emergency exit. (No problem apart from an engine located just outside)
2. Open crate
3. Take out slide
4. Remove string holding slide bundlet up
5. Throw slide out emergency exit
6. Open valve on air bottle to inflate slide
7. Try to fit your body through emergency exit
8. Pray slide is still there
Scenes of Chinese passengers getting points 5 and 6 mixed up kept flashing past my eyes and might explain why I kept choking on my Cognac. No, not from the inflight "service", from my private flask.
Per
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Australian carriers do the same... required to inform pax of:
1) They are sitting in emergency exit row
2) They may be required to operate the exit in an emergency
3) The signal to open the exit
4) How to operate the exit
5) Checking the esit is safe
6) Not to open the exit if unsafe
Also the crew check suitability of pax to be seated there. Personally, if the pax aren't listening and refuse to listen when I ask (again) for their attention then they get moved. End of story.
Exit row briefings are covered by CASA regulations, I'm sure most other airlines are covered by this also.
You'd be surprised how many 'frequent flyers' have 'heard it all before' but then look very surprised that they are seated at a plug-type exit not a Type III outward-opening exit!!!!!!!!!!
1) They are sitting in emergency exit row
2) They may be required to operate the exit in an emergency
3) The signal to open the exit
4) How to operate the exit
5) Checking the esit is safe
6) Not to open the exit if unsafe
Also the crew check suitability of pax to be seated there. Personally, if the pax aren't listening and refuse to listen when I ask (again) for their attention then they get moved. End of story.
Exit row briefings are covered by CASA regulations, I'm sure most other airlines are covered by this also.
You'd be surprised how many 'frequent flyers' have 'heard it all before' but then look very surprised that they are seated at a plug-type exit not a Type III outward-opening exit!!!!!!!!!!
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Wow, if I gave the full SA ABADOWOMS briefing to the very superstitious italian passengers I fly with, I'd be lucky to have a single person sitting there (apart from the deaf passenger who smiles and nods). We do the regulatory requirements of course, and then if ever we should have a pre-planned emergency, we'd give a very detailed brief about how/when and when not to open, etc.
But thanks Levis, now I know what briefing to give if I want to get an unsuitable person to move without having to actually ask them...
But thanks Levis, now I know what briefing to give if I want to get an unsuitable person to move without having to actually ask them...
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We got the full treatment when we flew Bristol to Ivalo (daytrip to see Santa four days before Christmas).
We were the only couple without kids in tow so were deliberately seated there (loads of legroom
).
Full instructions on everything.
We were the only couple without kids in tow so were deliberately seated there (loads of legroom
).Full instructions on everything.
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Mind you, his Cockney accent sort of ruined the illusion......
Join Date: May 2007
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I heard the story recently of an Etihad flight attendant giving the emergency exit briefing to a pax and then telling him he could not drink alcohol if he sat in the emergency exit seat.
Anyone heard that before?
Anyone heard that before?
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It is a requirement (at least in my company and I believe the CAA-Etihad's regulators may have similar rules, most authorities are the same) that a person is not drunk when sitting at an emergency exit.
If the CC felt(or in any doubt) that person had already enjoyed a few preflight, it may of been a sensible precaution. I have sat in the emergency exit of a Etihad flight previously and been served alcohol.
If the CC felt(or in any doubt) that person had already enjoyed a few preflight, it may of been a sensible precaution. I have sat in the emergency exit of a Etihad flight previously and been served alcohol.
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O/W exits... pleasure or pain...
I fully respect all my fellow crew members when giving these briefings, and believe that at all times you should stress the importance of these emergency exit seats, with the added bonus of extra leg room of course (which a lot of charter airlines in the UK charge you for the luxury of!)
I appreciate that this may belong in another thread perhaps... However I find it so frustrating when you try to explain to someone during boarding about their importance, why bags can't be on the floor etc and you end up with, basically an argument on your hands...
An example that happened to me quite recently...
Boeing 757-300 situated at the overwings for boarding...
pax "My seat doesn't recline..." (An "excuse me" or "hello" might have been nice)
me "Unfortunately sir, due to the design of these seats, and as not to obstruct the exit (gesturing to it) these seats do have a very limited recline..." (there is some movement, albeit not a lot)
pax "Well, thats not good enough, I paid for an extra leg room seat!"
me "You have an extra leg room seat sir, you may be able to tell from the rows you have walked past that you have considerably more leg room..."
pax "BUT I PAID FOR EXTRA LEG ROOM! MY SEAT DOESNT RECLINE!"
me"You have extra leg room sir, I can do my best to ask someone else to move you if you would prefer a seat that would recline"
pax "Is it extra leg room?"
me "I'm afraid not... Those seats come at a higher cost than these (trying to be humurous)
pax "A normal seat then?" (humour didn't work)
me" Which reclines sir... If that's what you would like?"
pax "AND YOU WILL GIVE ME A REFUND??? (Raising his voice)"
me "I will gladly give you the details of how to get a refund sir"
pax "I WANT A REFUND FROM YOU, NOW!"
me "As you did not purchase the extra leg room seat on board sir, I'm afraid I'm not authorised to refund you..."
I could go on and on with the to and fro regarding the hand baggage on the floor, the coats on the laps etc etc... and the only retort was "I PAID FOR AN EXTRA LEG ROOM SEAT!!!"
The safety demonstration (both video and manual) for my current airline states that we have a zero tolerance policy... I wish we could include it in the boarding PA!
"Ladies and gentleman, the primary concern of the cabin crew onboard today is your safety..."
I think this notion is getting lost over time... delivering outstanding service, immaculate crew and sweet smiles are all part and parcel of why people are crew... Safety is not negotiable... unfortunately in that instance, I did move the chap in question, mainly because his wife told me she "didn't do responisbility" ... and ok, I may have got a little satisfaction from it, but joe public seem to be pushing the boundaries more and more regarding the role of crew on board....
Sorry, rant over...
BoB
I appreciate that this may belong in another thread perhaps... However I find it so frustrating when you try to explain to someone during boarding about their importance, why bags can't be on the floor etc and you end up with, basically an argument on your hands...
An example that happened to me quite recently...
Boeing 757-300 situated at the overwings for boarding...
pax "My seat doesn't recline..." (An "excuse me" or "hello" might have been nice)
me "Unfortunately sir, due to the design of these seats, and as not to obstruct the exit (gesturing to it) these seats do have a very limited recline..." (there is some movement, albeit not a lot)
pax "Well, thats not good enough, I paid for an extra leg room seat!"
me "You have an extra leg room seat sir, you may be able to tell from the rows you have walked past that you have considerably more leg room..."
pax "BUT I PAID FOR EXTRA LEG ROOM! MY SEAT DOESNT RECLINE!"
me"You have extra leg room sir, I can do my best to ask someone else to move you if you would prefer a seat that would recline"
pax "Is it extra leg room?"
me "I'm afraid not... Those seats come at a higher cost than these (trying to be humurous)
pax "A normal seat then?" (humour didn't work)
me" Which reclines sir... If that's what you would like?"
pax "AND YOU WILL GIVE ME A REFUND??? (Raising his voice)"
me "I will gladly give you the details of how to get a refund sir"
pax "I WANT A REFUND FROM YOU, NOW!"
me "As you did not purchase the extra leg room seat on board sir, I'm afraid I'm not authorised to refund you..."
I could go on and on with the to and fro regarding the hand baggage on the floor, the coats on the laps etc etc... and the only retort was "I PAID FOR AN EXTRA LEG ROOM SEAT!!!"
The safety demonstration (both video and manual) for my current airline states that we have a zero tolerance policy... I wish we could include it in the boarding PA!
"Ladies and gentleman, the primary concern of the cabin crew onboard today is your safety..."
I think this notion is getting lost over time... delivering outstanding service, immaculate crew and sweet smiles are all part and parcel of why people are crew... Safety is not negotiable... unfortunately in that instance, I did move the chap in question, mainly because his wife told me she "didn't do responisbility" ... and ok, I may have got a little satisfaction from it, but joe public seem to be pushing the boundaries more and more regarding the role of crew on board....
Sorry, rant over...
BoB
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Bob, I totally agree!
I regularly get the 'argument' about hand luggage, coats/papers/shoes on ground etc... I've found that when boarding passengers pointing out to the ones sitting in the exit rows that they are, and all bags need to go up top & please review the card even if they've read it before... generally as the line is moving quickly and other pax are watching they don't argue. Helps 'prepare' them for the crew briefing them on board
Now, I just smile sweetly and explain that actually despite appearances, these seats are not designed for leg room but for an escape route in an emergency and as such must remain clear.... they seem to pay attention at that bit.
With alcohol... common sense applies. If I think the pax are getting a bit merry I explain that sure, they may have another drink but to do so we'll require them to change seats in which case they can continue with the drinks (within reason)
I regularly get the 'argument' about hand luggage, coats/papers/shoes on ground etc... I've found that when boarding passengers pointing out to the ones sitting in the exit rows that they are, and all bags need to go up top & please review the card even if they've read it before... generally as the line is moving quickly and other pax are watching they don't argue. Helps 'prepare' them for the crew briefing them on board
Now, I just smile sweetly and explain that actually despite appearances, these seats are not designed for leg room but for an escape route in an emergency and as such must remain clear.... they seem to pay attention at that bit.
With alcohol... common sense applies. If I think the pax are getting a bit merry I explain that sure, they may have another drink but to do so we'll require them to change seats in which case they can continue with the drinks (within reason)
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The airline is at fault if they do not explain that paying for a seat with extra legroom means that you also get limited recline.
I too would complain if this hadn't been specified before I parted with my money.
I too would complain if this hadn't been specified before I parted with my money.
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The airline is at fault if they do not explain that paying for a seat with extra legroom means that you also get limited recline.
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One other thing that annoys me re: seat recline/lack of...
Some aircraft have the facility of a seat lock-out which the crew unlock after take off, to allow the seats to recline as normal. Many times as I come down the cabin after t/o I'll see one seat in a row reclined... (the lock-out is checked prior to boarding, so it's definitely locked at t/o) and either the pax has
a) forced the seat back against the lock (which admittedly it doesnt go far but if they force it enough.. they can) and then rendered it u/s for landing...
or b) been a cheeky enough so-and-so to reach down and UNLOCK THE SEATS themselves!!!
Once, on approaching the pax re his reclined seat (with the seat lock still engaged) I was interrupted with "Oi this seat don't work, it dosn't go back (pax pushes against seatback repeatedly) it's broken!" Response?? "If you'd stop pushing the seat against the lock sir it wouldn't BE broken... followed by an explanation that they should wait for the crew to recline their seats!
As for the pax who unlocked the seat lock, he did this on t/o.... had we overrun and needed to evac we could well have had an entire exit row unuseable!! When I explained to him why he must not do what he did I was met with "I can do what I want this is my seat"
You can guess that the next step involved 'not any more it isn't!'
Some aircraft have the facility of a seat lock-out which the crew unlock after take off, to allow the seats to recline as normal. Many times as I come down the cabin after t/o I'll see one seat in a row reclined... (the lock-out is checked prior to boarding, so it's definitely locked at t/o) and either the pax has
a) forced the seat back against the lock (which admittedly it doesnt go far but if they force it enough.. they can) and then rendered it u/s for landing...
or b) been a cheeky enough so-and-so to reach down and UNLOCK THE SEATS themselves!!!
Once, on approaching the pax re his reclined seat (with the seat lock still engaged) I was interrupted with "Oi this seat don't work, it dosn't go back (pax pushes against seatback repeatedly) it's broken!" Response?? "If you'd stop pushing the seat against the lock sir it wouldn't BE broken... followed by an explanation that they should wait for the crew to recline their seats!
As for the pax who unlocked the seat lock, he did this on t/o.... had we overrun and needed to evac we could well have had an entire exit row unuseable!! When I explained to him why he must not do what he did I was met with "I can do what I want this is my seat"
You can guess that the next step involved 'not any more it isn't!'
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Sorry, Getoutofmygalley, not RUBBISH at all.
It would be like upgrading a rental car to get a bigger boot and then finding that the upgraded car didn't have a heater. Saying to the customer "Well you asked for a bigger boot, you didn't specify a heater" just wouldn't wash, would it?
Of course the airline should specify at the time of purchase that the extra leg-room seats don't recline. Otherwise the Advertising Standards guys will have complaints on their hands.
It would be like upgrading a rental car to get a bigger boot and then finding that the upgraded car didn't have a heater. Saying to the customer "Well you asked for a bigger boot, you didn't specify a heater" just wouldn't wash, would it?
Of course the airline should specify at the time of purchase that the extra leg-room seats don't recline. Otherwise the Advertising Standards guys will have complaints on their hands.