Tourist, I say let fatties fly. It's useful to have something to tread on when you're skipping over the seat backs with your hold all. ;)

Una due tfc,

in that case you will find a lot of people needing surprisingley their medicine from the overhead lockers.

This "...and don't forget to collect your bag as you evacuate" is becoming a bit of a habit it would seem.

Asiana 214 anyone ? Lessons still not learnt !

Momentum as the component of mass x velocity is increased so the force at the end of the slide is greater, which means anything you hit at the end is more painful.

shed-on-a-pole,

spot-on! :ok:

Pax WILL grasp their belongings, blame them or not.

Except the sticky patch (oooerr missus) slows you down before you hit the ground. I've tried it, proper wedgie.

A couple of days ago I heard an account of someone on a flight where they lost an engine on take-off. It was supposed to be a long flight, so presumably had a lot of fuel. The briefing apparently included explicitly pointing out that if you stopped to get your bag on evacuation then not only might you die, but so might everyone else waiting behind you. Nothing like spelling it out, and probably giving the passengers behind an incentive to shove people out of the way if they tried it.

However it was noted (and it was a woman telling the tale) that 'carry-on baggage' didn't appear to include women's handbags/purses because they all took them. To be fair, most of them probably already had their purses surgically attached so there was most likely no delay.

Tourist's posts on this subject suggest that he quite fancies himself as PPRuNe's resident Jeremy Clarkson, which let's face it is not something any rational person should be aspiring to. He also seems to be very much enjoying the reaction to his stupid posts so do bear that in mind.

This thread was moved here from R&N, because the discussion moved towards the behaviour of pax in the evacuation.


I'm not interested in hearing about how good some might be at getting out or others telling them what they think they might be. You both know that we discuss the TOPIC and that is one that has been discussed here before. So, if there is more squabbling across the aisle - this thread will get parked on a remote stand.

I take this flight fairly frequently (last time was 19 March). I used to be a very nervous flyer and I really do watch the safety brief every single time etc etc.

I'm trying to think what I would have done on that flight - my handbag and laptop bag were under the seat in front of me (nothing in the bins). I can't exclude that I wouldn't have taken my handbag (probably acting on "automatic pilot"). I think I almost certainly would not have taken the laptop.

For me, stopping to get stuff out of the bins would be unthinkable, and I suspect I'd have shouted at someone who did.

But I suspect I'd be guilty of taking the handbag and consequently wouldn't have both hands free going down the slide (a good point raised by someone earlier).

I am not sure if it deserves a new thread but I am curious to know what one considers essential to have once outside the aircraft and where to put them so as to have rapid access to them without delaying the evacuation. I think radeng had a question few years back but a fresh perspective might be intersting.

Does anybody have any first-hand (or even second) knowledge of how long it takes to reacquaint passengers with their (left onboard) hand baggage? Are there any processes/procedures in place?

My gut instinct tells me that it could be some time, hours, days or even weeks. I can't see this being a priority.

But if I was fairly confident of getting my stuff in a couple of hours, max, I'd be more likely to follow instructions and leave it behind.

In my case (pun not intended) it is not knowing how long it's going to be that would affect my decisions. Don't forget the airline told me not to put any (long list) valuables, medicine etc in my checked bag. I'd be a lot more comfortable keeping all that stuff with me.

Good question ExXB.

I agree Rwy in Sight, that radeng did give a strong contribution the last time we discussed this topic.

For myself, my jacket will have:

• Wallett
• Passport
• Mobile (cell) phone
• 24 hrs medication (if relevant at the time)

With those, I can do most of what is needed. I would put my jacket on for warmth as it might be 24 hrs and if the machine IS on fire, that's the end of my case!

Shoes: I always wear modern boots (ankle lenth) that have soft sides and simply untie the laces to let me feet swell but I would not have to waste time looking for them. If I'm asleep horizontaly, I have taken my boots off but it's anyone's guess if any of us will have time to gather ourselves before impact. But this thread is about runway evacuations and I always have my boots on and laced until the cruise and then from the top of descent. No point in running across tarmac onto rough ground in socks. Again, it may be 24hrs before I get my case, if ever.

The only problem is that, given limits to phone battery life, I would need to find a spare charger (I would have cash and credit cards) but I could send messages to those who needed to know of the delay. There would also be enough juice to take a Selfie as I run away from the machine, showing others carrying their luggage for me to post in PPruNe. :ok:

Don't the cabin crew at the head of each emergency slide stop Pax from taking belongings such as bags down the slide? Perish the thought that I'd ever need to leave a plane in a hurry, but my life is more important than, yes, even my camera and lenses (and the bag itself)

Anyone blocking mine and anybody else's exit from the plane in an evacuation would be getting a firm push onto the seats out of the way. Find it amazing that people value their laptop more than the lives of over a hundred people on board a plane :ugh:

The simple solution to the problem of people messing about getting bags in an evacuation is get rid of the overhead lockers, job done. The ones that don't contain the cabin crew's emergency equipment that is. Also reduces the security queue.

To do this successfully though there would have to be major improvements in baggage handling as at the moment I wouldn't trust them to get a piece of bubble wrap to the destination unharmed. Anything I can't afford to lose goes in the cabin, that said though, without doubt it would be getting left behind if I heard the words evacuate!

Human nature being what it is, when our own life is at risk? We tend to forget everyone other than our self and our closest.

The Onion reveals that the way to ensure a smooth, quick, comfortable evacuation is to fly first class:

Flight Attendant Quietly Informs First Class Passengers Where Real Emergency Exits Are | The Onion - America's Finest News Source

Onions should be taken with a large pinch of salt. :hmm:

Cabin Baggage
 

Couldn't we just have a tongue-in-cheek addition to the cabin briefing? Something along these lines:

'Should we need to evacuate the aircraft in an emergency, any passenger wishing to take with them hand baggage, laptops or handbags should remain seated until all other passengers and crew have left the aircraft.'

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

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.

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.

mixture [re boots] 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 :E

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. :rolleyes:

The a/c is on the ground and they are waiting for the 'off', often the a/c is in a hanger! 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. ;)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

• 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'.:uhoh:

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.