Drunks sitting in emergency exit row
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Drunks sitting in emergency exit row
I managed to bag myself an emergency exit seat returning from Krakow this week. I was delighted with the bit of good fortune until I realised that the 11 people around me were a stag group (annoying in its own right), but the kicker was; they were all completely leathered drunk.
I don’t mean a little bit noisy drunk or sing song dunk, I mean eyes rolling in their head drunk. They did not listen to the emergency briefing (the specific one that the gorgeous hostie gave us), in fact you could barely class them as conscious.
I didn’t want to make a big scene, but as we started the takeoff roll I was seriously regretting the decision not to mention that the pax beside me were far from able bodied. I have no doubt that the guy at the exit in my row would have serious difficulties trying to open that exit in the result of an emergency – and I base this on the fact that it took him 5 minutes to buckle his seat belt.
It’s been a long time since I’ve bagged an emergency row before, but is this not something that the crew would look for when the pax are sitting down at emergency exits?
The crew were fantastic as ever, so I am not blaming them, perhaps they simply did not notice. In all honesty I should have mentioned it, but was very surprised that some of the crew did not notice.
I found some info here Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) , but do airlines themselves have specific policies relating to emergency exit seating?
I don’t mean a little bit noisy drunk or sing song dunk, I mean eyes rolling in their head drunk. They did not listen to the emergency briefing (the specific one that the gorgeous hostie gave us), in fact you could barely class them as conscious.
I didn’t want to make a big scene, but as we started the takeoff roll I was seriously regretting the decision not to mention that the pax beside me were far from able bodied. I have no doubt that the guy at the exit in my row would have serious difficulties trying to open that exit in the result of an emergency – and I base this on the fact that it took him 5 minutes to buckle his seat belt.
It’s been a long time since I’ve bagged an emergency row before, but is this not something that the crew would look for when the pax are sitting down at emergency exits?
The crew were fantastic as ever, so I am not blaming them, perhaps they simply did not notice. In all honesty I should have mentioned it, but was very surprised that some of the crew did not notice.
I found some info here Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) , but do airlines themselves have specific policies relating to emergency exit seating?
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As long as you are not exagerating their drunkedness, then I must say I am surprised that they even managed to board the plane! The fact that they were in an emergency row seat is neither here nor there as when they checked in, then they would have been seen as able-bodied and hence could open the door in an emergency.
I'm just surprised that they managed to board the plane as they should have been stopped immediately before boarding. Last time I checked, it was against the law to be drunk on a plane.
I'm just surprised that they managed to board the plane as they should have been stopped immediately before boarding. Last time I checked, it was against the law to be drunk on a plane.
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In complete agreement with your opinion about occupancy of exit rows.
Off limits to drunks. Drunks to fly in cargo airplanes, in kennels.
xxx
To sit on exit row, pasengers should graduate from emergency training.
Have completed a refresher emergency evacuation within the past 12 months.
For each type of aircraft, location of exits, Boeing 737, Airbus 320, etc.
Abstain from any alcoholic beverage consumption 8 hours before flight.
Be subject to sobriety test, alongside crewmembers, before boarding.
Passengers qualified of above training under FAA, take JAR competency test.
Be able to read, speak and understand the English language ICAO level 4.
And bilingual with Polish language for flights from Krakow.
xxx
As I am a retired pilot (and forgot about emergency procedures) I never get to sit there.
With my reduced fare tickets, they prefer to provide extra legroom privilege to full fare drunks.
Thank you for your recommendations for the promotion/improvements of flight safety.
xxx
Happy contrails
Off limits to drunks. Drunks to fly in cargo airplanes, in kennels.
xxx
To sit on exit row, pasengers should graduate from emergency training.
Have completed a refresher emergency evacuation within the past 12 months.
For each type of aircraft, location of exits, Boeing 737, Airbus 320, etc.
Abstain from any alcoholic beverage consumption 8 hours before flight.
Be subject to sobriety test, alongside crewmembers, before boarding.
Passengers qualified of above training under FAA, take JAR competency test.
Be able to read, speak and understand the English language ICAO level 4.
And bilingual with Polish language for flights from Krakow.
xxx
As I am a retired pilot (and forgot about emergency procedures) I never get to sit there.
With my reduced fare tickets, they prefer to provide extra legroom privilege to full fare drunks.
Thank you for your recommendations for the promotion/improvements of flight safety.
xxx
Happy contrails
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Agreed. I am very surprised they got through security at all. In Krakow I find the security check heavy handed at the best of times.
The flight was delayed by 2 hours, so I figure they got through security and then got drunk at the bar. There was one guy checking tickets at boarding and another lady checking bag sizes.
I can't quantify how drunk they were, but at several points during the flight the guy beside me (who was English) tried to talk to me and his words were completely slurred and unintelligible.
In my book, thats extremely drunk (And I'm Irish!!)
Bel - my post made no recommendations on improving flight safety. I was merely asking a question.
The flight was delayed by 2 hours, so I figure they got through security and then got drunk at the bar. There was one guy checking tickets at boarding and another lady checking bag sizes.
I can't quantify how drunk they were, but at several points during the flight the guy beside me (who was English) tried to talk to me and his words were completely slurred and unintelligible.
In my book, thats extremely drunk (And I'm Irish!!)
Bel - my post made no recommendations on improving flight safety. I was merely asking a question.
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Pax - Generally!
Having read the post about "drunks" in emergency rows I would like to add a couple of things which worry me concerning the "dress of pax. People being allowed to fly in shorts and flip flops - flash fire, emergency evacuation? Aircraft landing in airports in sub-zero temperatures, sat there in short sleeved shirts, plenty of cold weather clothing, all in the overhead lockers. If the aircraft had to be abandoned at the end of the runway in Toronto, at -20C (for example) how long to get 2 to 3 hundred (or more) pax to shelter? How can you justify taking nail scissors off a passenger and then let them purchase glass bottles in duty free? Just a couple of worries, worse case scenario of course, am I being "picky"?
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Just to pick up on what scottpe has said, and at the risk of sounding slightly melodramatic, when flying I always dress as if I might have to get out in hurry.
So that's shoes on, long-sleeved jumper and always have my phone (off, of course), passport and wallet in my pockets. That way if I do get out alive then (1) I can let people know I'm ok, (2) I can prove who I am, and (3) I've got my cards so at least I can go and buy a restorative cup of tea...
Obviously nothing else would leave the plane with me, but then everything left behind would be easier to replace.
Best Regards,
Atlantean.
So that's shoes on, long-sleeved jumper and always have my phone (off, of course), passport and wallet in my pockets. That way if I do get out alive then (1) I can let people know I'm ok, (2) I can prove who I am, and (3) I've got my cards so at least I can go and buy a restorative cup of tea...
Obviously nothing else would leave the plane with me, but then everything left behind would be easier to replace.
Best Regards,
Atlantean.
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I think that you should have asked to speak to the captain.
If you don't want the awkwardness of speaking to the crew in your seat right next to people like that, it is best just to walk to the front of the aircraft (presuming you haven't left the gate) and there will be cabin crew who will probably report it to the flight deck. It might cause a bit of a scene, but IMHO it's not fair on other passengers and, as has been said, it is after all against the law...
If you don't want the awkwardness of speaking to the crew in your seat right next to people like that, it is best just to walk to the front of the aircraft (presuming you haven't left the gate) and there will be cabin crew who will probably report it to the flight deck. It might cause a bit of a scene, but IMHO it's not fair on other passengers and, as has been said, it is after all against the law...
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scottpe.
a very good point which has still never been answered. No sharp objects allowed as you go through customs. Yet you can buy bottles. What's to stop you smashing it and using a long shard of glass as a weapon. Whilst on the subject of sharp dangerous objects, and since it has something to do with my name, how about stiletto heels?
Regarding the dress code, I think a line needs to be drawn and you go quite far past it. Leaving London in August for a 2 week trip to Hong Kong means you would never take a bulky coat with you - and wear it just in case you happen to crah land in the himalayas.
a very good point which has still never been answered. No sharp objects allowed as you go through customs. Yet you can buy bottles. What's to stop you smashing it and using a long shard of glass as a weapon. Whilst on the subject of sharp dangerous objects, and since it has something to do with my name, how about stiletto heels?
Regarding the dress code, I think a line needs to be drawn and you go quite far past it. Leaving London in August for a 2 week trip to Hong Kong means you would never take a bulky coat with you - and wear it just in case you happen to crah land in the himalayas.
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I can remember shortly after 9/11 where one airline apologised for removing metal cutlery. And then brought me my wine in an individual bottle. Which is more dangerous, a crappy butter knife or a broken bottle 
As for dress code, wearing clothes to cover your skin may be worse as some materials would melt onto you. I have full flame proof clothing (underwear upwards), but i am not going to wear that every time I fly. Nor am I going to wear clothing that will make me uncomfortably hot on an aircraft.
Oh and a jumper could get wet and drag you down if you land in water.
Common theme - people often address minor risks by worsening a more major risk
As for dress code, wearing clothes to cover your skin may be worse as some materials would melt onto you. I have full flame proof clothing (underwear upwards), but i am not going to wear that every time I fly. Nor am I going to wear clothing that will make me uncomfortably hot on an aircraft.
Oh and a jumper could get wet and drag you down if you land in water.
Common theme - people often address minor risks by worsening a more major risk
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Thanks to Highheeled-FA and ProM for the valid points they made in answer to my post. I agree entirely with their comments but would like to suggest that in the case of cold weather clothing, if its with you wear it, at least for T/O and Ldg, its no good in the overhead lockers! Again commonsense must prevail I certainly wouldn't have "arctic"kit with me travelling to Hong Kong - and if we crash landed in the Himalayas I doubt we would need anything!!!! but your point is taken. I summation I would suggest that its impossible to legislate for every eventuality but if there is an opportunity to reduce the risk to your's or others safety, take it.
Thanks also to Atlantean 1963 for the useful "abandon aircraft" checklist!!
Thanks also to Atlantean 1963 for the useful "abandon aircraft" checklist!!
Last edited by scottpe; 5th Apr 2009 at 17:59. Reason: add thanks
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To scottpe - you're welcome! I'm glad you found it useful. And I agree with your comments to ProM - but I was just going to add a few of my own.
To ProM - and you're right, of course. With any risk, we're always looking to balance (1) The likelihood of the risk happening, (2) The severity of the outcome if it does happen, and (3) how much effort is required to either stop the risk from happening or reduce the effects if it does?
And in the absense of regulation, each person's perception of where that balance is will be different. In this instance, I hope I'm not being presumptious by saying that I interpret scottpe as being a little more risk-averse than you, and I'm probably somewhere it the middle.
That's not to say that any of us are wrong - it's just how we think about the world around us. And of course our views will change in the light of new information. Your comment about materials melting has made me think that if it is as easy to wear a cotton jumper as opposed to a polyester fleece - would this reduce the effect if the risk (i.e fire) happens with very little effort on my part?
I hope this hasn't come across as being a bit "anoraky" - but considering risk is an element of my job (although the risks are invariable much less severe than planes crashing!) and as always, when you know a bit about something, you tend to think about it a bit more. For the record though, I've always got on the plane.
Best Regards,
Atlantean.
To ProM - and you're right, of course. With any risk, we're always looking to balance (1) The likelihood of the risk happening, (2) The severity of the outcome if it does happen, and (3) how much effort is required to either stop the risk from happening or reduce the effects if it does?
And in the absense of regulation, each person's perception of where that balance is will be different. In this instance, I hope I'm not being presumptious by saying that I interpret scottpe as being a little more risk-averse than you, and I'm probably somewhere it the middle.
That's not to say that any of us are wrong - it's just how we think about the world around us. And of course our views will change in the light of new information. Your comment about materials melting has made me think that if it is as easy to wear a cotton jumper as opposed to a polyester fleece - would this reduce the effect if the risk (i.e fire) happens with very little effort on my part?
I hope this hasn't come across as being a bit "anoraky" - but considering risk is an element of my job (although the risks are invariable much less severe than planes crashing!) and as always, when you know a bit about something, you tend to think about it a bit more. For the record though, I've always got on the plane.
Best Regards,
Atlantean.
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You are indeed very perceptive Atlantean! My background involved tactical air operations in the RAF with a heavy emphasis on combat survival, and aircraft emergency equipment and procedures. Admittedly a good deal of my knowledge has no relevance on everyday commercial flying, I would however suggest that anyone flying as a passenger should just take a few minutes to think "is there anything I can do to make myself safer?" Even if it is something as simple as paying FULL attention to the Cabin Crew safety brief. The first principle of survival is the "will to survive!" Sorry if I'm pontificating but it is a subject close to my heart and a subject that in my travelling experiences, many of todays "jetsetters" pay lip service to!
As for "drunks in emergency rows" (the original thread!!!!), wether you are a pax, CC or Airline staff - don't let it happen!
Cheers for now SPE.
As for "drunks in emergency rows" (the original thread!!!!), wether you are a pax, CC or Airline staff - don't let it happen!
Cheers for now SPE.
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Thank you for all the replies. It appears it this case that it would have been best if I had notified the cabin crew and in hindsight I did have the opportunity. 
My bad.
As I've mentioned, I fly 4 times a month to 2 destinations that are popular with stag/hen parties and this is the very first time I have seen this, so perhaps I have witnessed a once off. It is always reassuring to know that Cabin Crew and Pilots are always willing to listen to feedback from uneducated SLF, such as myself.
Safe flying,
AGOW
My bad.As I've mentioned, I fly 4 times a month to 2 destinations that are popular with stag/hen parties and this is the very first time I have seen this, so perhaps I have witnessed a once off. It is always reassuring to know that Cabin Crew and Pilots are always willing to listen to feedback from uneducated SLF, such as myself.
Safe flying,
AGOW
