Swiss 146 engine explodes at London City

[llondel]

Don't the cabin crew at the head of each emergency slide stop Pax from taking belongings such as bags down the slide?

The problem is that by that point, the damage is done in terms of time, and trying to extract someone's bag from them is likely to result in more delay if they argue. That's unless you've got a flight attendant who's trained to kick the offender in the nuts, grab his bag and push him down the slide in one easy, fluid motion.

[ExXB]

Question:

Does taking an approved cabin bag, or laptop, or handbag delay the process? Have any studies been done?

Don't shoot me, I just want to know if there is any evidence (for or against) to prove/disprove this assumption.

[PAXboy]

mixture [re boots]

That must be a bit tedious for you going through security at the airport.

Considerably. The metal eyelets and hooks are large and always set off the metal detector. But I got used to wearing them in 'the good old days' when I was a student and won't change my ways. Stubborn old git?? Moi??

Re: Staff at exit door to remove stuff from pax
Unfortunately, taking the stuff off the pax at the door provides an argument and a growing pile of stuff.
llondel I think you have a great idea

ExXB A good question and I am fairly confident that the answer is: No.
All the test evacuations for certification are done by folks who know from the moment they sign the form (days in advance) what is going to happen.

The a/c is on the ground and they are waiting for the 'off', often the a/c is in a hangar! They are not disctracted by having already had too many drinks in the lounge and flopped into their seat, in a strange a/c taxing out in darkness. Or be hardly awake after 12hrs sector. Etcetera.

I recall watching a film of one such practice for certification (A380, I think) and it was obvious that it was going to work. I don't think anyone doubts that such tests are almost pointless and are left over from earlier aviation days. But - like the stupid liquids ban - no one is going to change the rules.

Also, no one is going to hire 300 'extras' and get them to sign a form for a mystery flight and subject them to an unexpected evacuation. It should be done but it won't be.

On the other hand, it probably doesn't make any difference. We can see that the few runway evacs in recent years have gone reasonably well (Noting, Asiana 777 with pax under the foam) and I suspect that pax have probably ALWAYS been taking hand luggage with them. It's just that we have not had instant photographs to tell us so.

[joy ride]

I too have seen film of evacuation tests such as A380 and B777 and noted that among the test "passengers" there were no old or disabled people, no particularly large people, no babies and children and no-one confused and/or panic-stricken.

[DaveReidUK]

Requiring that the evacuation tests are carried out using young, fit, healthy adults is the only way the regulators can be sure that manufacturers aren't going to fiddle the results by using sprightly pensioners and infant athletes.

Of course the tests aren't representative. That doesn't mean they're pointless.

[TrakBall]

No, they are not completely pointless. If I remember correctly I believe the test for the DC-10/MD-11 (can''t remember which) found that the angle of the slide versus the jump the passengers took leaving the door was a definite problem.

The "passenger" generally leaped out of the door instead of dropping onto the slide. This cause the passenger to be catapulted like they had been jumping on a trampoline. If memory serves, a woman broke her leg during the test and they had to modify the angle of the slide to help prevent this from happening.

[ExXB]

I'm not yet convinced passengers taking their carry on is a problem. We've seen a number of cases recently where they have done so, without resulting in death or injury.

[Hotel Tango]

I suppose it comes down to the size of the carry on - and how many pieces!

I would think that hugging a relatively small carry on will not cause any problem. Larger ones, however, could have the potential of tearing or damaging the slide (metal parts). Then of course there will inevitably be the smart arse trying to take all three pieces he/she brought on!

[PAXboy]

• Keep your jacket out of the lockers and with critical items in the pocket.
• Keep a SMALL bag, such as a belt bag [bum bag/fanny pack] with critical items

Either of these can be put on, whilst in your seat, and leave your hands free. Particularly if you have to 'seat surf'.

[llondel]

Of course the tests aren't representative. That doesn't mean they're pointless.

I think the Air France 'test' in Canada was probably the most accurate. Aircraft full of people not expecting to have to move fast, some bumping as it went down the slope, a bit of smoke and fire and they all got out safely.