Seasoned passengers all know this...
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Seasoned passengers all know this...
Recently retired as airline pilot, this is what I do myself...
Unfortunately, some passengers are quite misinformed about emergencies.
I never meant to call passengers as being stupid.
I travel often as passenger, with my former airline or other air carriers.
While I do not know every type aircraft, but know "what to do or not do".
So how about passengers learning the following as "general rules" for all airplanes.
xxx
Generalities
Familiarize yourself with cabin configuration and location of nearest exits.
You might know say the 737, but some have 2 (L/R) overwing exits, some have 4 exits there.
There might be slight differences with other types regarding doors/exits etc.
Good reason for you to listen to the flight attendant's briefing.
Locate exits in terms of "row of seats" forward or aft, in case of heavy smoke.
Travel with sporty clothing (i.e. jogging suit and shoes).
If aisle is crowded, you fastest way to the exit might be on top of seats.
In cruise, do not become a "walker". Stay in your seat using a belt.
Any toilet door can be opened from outside. Just slide the OCCUPIED sign (there is a slot).
If all lights fail, cabin is dark, it is an electrical problem. Exit/aisle lights will come ON.
During takeoff/landings, open all window shades to be able to look outside.
Do not retrieve your personal belongings for cabin evacuation.
Introduce yourself if airline crewmember, doctor/nurse as applicable to the cabin crew.
Some flight attendants might have you sit near an exit, and help "in case".
xxx
Loss of pressurization
If oxygen masks fall, grab one, pull string down firmly then place over nose and mouth.
If traveling with kids, take care of yourself first, then the kid(s).
In case of rapid decompression, cabin might get fogged, it is NOT smoke or fire.
Pilot will then dive the airplane steep (emergency descent). You are NOT crashing.
xxx
Crash during takeoff or landing
Wait until airplane is fully stopped.
Look outside windows, for any fire and/or smoke.
Remember, tanks might be full of fuel for flight on takeoff, much less for landing.
Proceed to nearest exit (as per conditions).
If on the wing, often the flaps will have been lowered to assist you to slide OFF the wing.
If impact was violent, often fuselage "breaks" just AFT of wing. Tail section separates.
That fuselage "break" might be the best exit... Careful for sharp metal.
Do not open exit/door if a fire outside. Look through exit/door window first.
If using a "fire ax", don't try to break a window, they are stronger than fuselage metal.
If you don't believe me, see where "CUT HERE" frames painted out on fuselage. Not windows.
xxx
Ditching
Look outside windows for most favored exit.
Take seat bottom cushion for flotation, or life jacket if provided.
Do not inflate life jacket until OUT of the airplane.
With fuselage in one piece, airplane likely to be slightly nose up, favors FWD doors/overwing exits.
Rear cabin doors are likely to be below water level. Look through door window first.
Airplane likely to float for extended time, even with full tanks.
If fuselage "broke" just AFT of the wing, FWD doors likely below water level too.
Airplane unlikely to float for long if fuselage broke "AFT" of the wings
xxx
Cabin fires
Galley fire (most happen there) assist cabin staff, bring them extra fire extinguishers.
Best for galley fires - "Halon" or "CO2" extinguishers, label "B/C" class fire.
(Use same in your house kitchen or in your car, by the way).
If dumb enough to smoke in toilet and set rubbish on fire, get a water extinguisher "A" class.
(Be ready to get in a lot of legal troubles).
xxx
A final friendly word...
Flight attendants are there to save your a***, not to kiss it...
If you behave, you might get free complimentary peanuts.
xxx
Enjoy your flight.
Happy contrails
Unfortunately, some passengers are quite misinformed about emergencies.
I never meant to call passengers as being stupid.
I travel often as passenger, with my former airline or other air carriers.
While I do not know every type aircraft, but know "what to do or not do".
So how about passengers learning the following as "general rules" for all airplanes.
xxx
Generalities
Familiarize yourself with cabin configuration and location of nearest exits.
You might know say the 737, but some have 2 (L/R) overwing exits, some have 4 exits there.
There might be slight differences with other types regarding doors/exits etc.
Good reason for you to listen to the flight attendant's briefing.
Locate exits in terms of "row of seats" forward or aft, in case of heavy smoke.
Travel with sporty clothing (i.e. jogging suit and shoes).
If aisle is crowded, you fastest way to the exit might be on top of seats.
In cruise, do not become a "walker". Stay in your seat using a belt.
Any toilet door can be opened from outside. Just slide the OCCUPIED sign (there is a slot).
If all lights fail, cabin is dark, it is an electrical problem. Exit/aisle lights will come ON.
During takeoff/landings, open all window shades to be able to look outside.
Do not retrieve your personal belongings for cabin evacuation.
Introduce yourself if airline crewmember, doctor/nurse as applicable to the cabin crew.
Some flight attendants might have you sit near an exit, and help "in case".
xxx
Loss of pressurization
If oxygen masks fall, grab one, pull string down firmly then place over nose and mouth.
If traveling with kids, take care of yourself first, then the kid(s).
In case of rapid decompression, cabin might get fogged, it is NOT smoke or fire.
Pilot will then dive the airplane steep (emergency descent). You are NOT crashing.
xxx
Crash during takeoff or landing
Wait until airplane is fully stopped.
Look outside windows, for any fire and/or smoke.
Remember, tanks might be full of fuel for flight on takeoff, much less for landing.
Proceed to nearest exit (as per conditions).
If on the wing, often the flaps will have been lowered to assist you to slide OFF the wing.
If impact was violent, often fuselage "breaks" just AFT of wing. Tail section separates.
That fuselage "break" might be the best exit... Careful for sharp metal.
Do not open exit/door if a fire outside. Look through exit/door window first.
If using a "fire ax", don't try to break a window, they are stronger than fuselage metal.
If you don't believe me, see where "CUT HERE" frames painted out on fuselage. Not windows.
xxx
Ditching
Look outside windows for most favored exit.
Take seat bottom cushion for flotation, or life jacket if provided.
Do not inflate life jacket until OUT of the airplane.
With fuselage in one piece, airplane likely to be slightly nose up, favors FWD doors/overwing exits.
Rear cabin doors are likely to be below water level. Look through door window first.
Airplane likely to float for extended time, even with full tanks.
If fuselage "broke" just AFT of the wing, FWD doors likely below water level too.
Airplane unlikely to float for long if fuselage broke "AFT" of the wings
xxx
Cabin fires
Galley fire (most happen there) assist cabin staff, bring them extra fire extinguishers.
Best for galley fires - "Halon" or "CO2" extinguishers, label "B/C" class fire.
(Use same in your house kitchen or in your car, by the way).
If dumb enough to smoke in toilet and set rubbish on fire, get a water extinguisher "A" class.
(Be ready to get in a lot of legal troubles).
xxx
A final friendly word...
Flight attendants are there to save your a***, not to kiss it...
If you behave, you might get free complimentary peanuts.
xxx
Enjoy your flight.
Happy contrails
Last edited by BelArgUSA; 20th Jan 2009 at 00:48.
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Just a little correction...
Fire extinguishers have different colours in different countries. In my airline we use the GREEN one on all fires and the RED one to dampen down (deep seated fabric fire). The BLACK bottle is the oxygen.
Not a critisism, just clarifying.
Even better, unless you're trained in these matters, ask the crew how you can help (moving passengers, getting other crew members to the scene if not there already etc). I'd hate to think a fire or similar could get worse because a passenger tried to put it out by using the wrong type of equipment.
Gg
Fire extinguishers have different colours in different countries. In my airline we use the GREEN one on all fires and the RED one to dampen down (deep seated fabric fire). The BLACK bottle is the oxygen.
Not a critisism, just clarifying.
Even better, unless you're trained in these matters, ask the crew how you can help (moving passengers, getting other crew members to the scene if not there already etc). I'd hate to think a fire or similar could get worse because a passenger tried to put it out by using the wrong type of equipment.
Gg
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Much appreciate your remarks, Glamgirl -
xxx
Was not aware that you guys have different colors.
Honest, I wish there was a ICAO/IATA agreement for colors.
Hope they have proper labels A, B and C Class fires, though...
xxx
The way I used to teach new crewmembers was -
LABEL on fire extinguisher:
Class A stands for general rubbish, paper/fabric fires (water extnguisher).
Class B ("Butter") for greases, oil, gasoline, flammable liquids.
Class C ("Current") for electrical fires, DRY chemical extinguisher.
xxx
Happy contrails
xxx
Was not aware that you guys have different colors.
Honest, I wish there was a ICAO/IATA agreement for colors.
Hope they have proper labels A, B and C Class fires, though...
xxx
The way I used to teach new crewmembers was -
LABEL on fire extinguisher:
Class A stands for general rubbish, paper/fabric fires (water extnguisher).
Class B ("Butter") for greases, oil, gasoline, flammable liquids.
Class C ("Current") for electrical fires, DRY chemical extinguisher.
xxx
Happy contrails
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Many airlines, such as the three that I've worked for only carry BCF extinguishers. Each different type of fire (oven, hot door toilet, cold door toilet, overhead locker, ventilation grill, lithium battery, wall panelling etc) all have different procedures. Your best bet is not to fight the fire but call the crew. A number of crew (at our airline 3 will be involved) will respond, and all will have different roles to perfom. Let the crew get on with the job, and assist if requested. Chances are pretty high that we've reviewed the fire fighting procedures on our briefing before the flight. Always useful to let the crew know on boarding if you have specialist training (fire fighter, bomb disposal, EMT, doctor, nurse, midwife, airline crew, armed forces etc). We might be able to find you a seat at the exit!!
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BelArgUSA
Greetings to you.
As always your posts provide good reading. When are you going to write your book? Without doubt I reckon they'll be lining up to buy it whenever you do.
Greetings to you.
As always your posts provide good reading. When are you going to write your book? Without doubt I reckon they'll be lining up to buy it whenever you do.
