New York Times Wonders if We're Too Fat to Get Out

[JohnMcGhie]

NYT Evacuation Questions

Let's assume the concern is justified: would less dense passenger packing actually solve the problem?

[FlyingStone]

It woud definitely make it easier for passengers to evacuate their on-board trolley bags as well.

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by JohnMcGhie

Let's assume the concern is justified

Assuming that a planeload of live, frightened revenue passengers should be able to match the manufacturers' evacuation tests, as the article appears to imply, is hardly a valid assumption.

[Art E. Fischler-Reisen]

I flew down the east coast of the USA a few years ago. I was in the rear row starboard window seat. A behemoth of a man appeared (probably in his thirties) and occupied both the adjacent aisle and centre seats (yes, both and even then with some trouble - he needed physical assistance because he was almost as big in diameter as the seat pitch). The flight attendant brought seat belt extensions so he could strap in. I was essentially wedged in at that point and I knew that even asking him to let me out to use the toilet was going to be a big issue. When we were fed the evening meal, the greedy B asked for two!

I wondered what he was going to do in the event of an emergency evacuation situation. To this day I'm not too ashamed to say that I decided that if required I was going to use him as a blubbery stepping stone to get out and away.

[aterpster]

Typical of the tombstone agency owned and operated by the airlines. This statement is negative assurance, at best:

“The F.A.A. has no evidence that a typical passenger, even a larger one, will take more than a couple of seconds to get out of his or her seat,”

[Winemaker]

I wondered what he was going to do in the event of an emergency evacuation situation.

I've been in the same situation and asked the same question; I decided I would go over the seat back. I always check out who is sitting in the emergency exit rows as I board and always plan other routes. On topic: I'm in the States and am amazed by the level of youth obesity; I would like to see an evacuation test with a real sample of persons, especially the ones who grab overhead luggage .......

[pineteam]

Originally Posted by Art E. Fischler-Reisen

I flew down the east coast of the USA a few years ago. I was in the rear row starboard window seat. A behemoth of a man appeared (probably in his thirties) and occupied both the adjacent aisle and centre seats (yes, both and even then with some trouble - he needed physical assistance because he was almost as big in diameter as the seat pitch). The flight attendant brought seat belt extensions so he could strap in. I was essentially wedged in at that point and I knew that even asking him to let me out to use the toilet was going to be a big issue. When we were fed the evening meal, the greedy B asked for two!

I wondered what he was going to do in the event of an emergency evacuation situation. To this day I'm not too ashamed to say that I decided that if required I was going to use him as a blubbery stepping stone to get out and away.

Hahahahaha!!!! This is just gold!

Where is the « Like » button when we need it?! This has to be the funniest post I read on PPRuNe! Well done Sir! xD