The rule is 90 seconds. No matter how large or small an aircraft may be, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that aircraft manufacturers demonstrate that full occupancy, which includes passengers and flight crew, is able to exit an airliner safely within those allocated 90 seconds. Even Airbus’s A380, the 555 passenger double-decker jet, demonstrated it was capable – see video here. Yet these tests are simulated and do not reflect real-life events. Passengers on-board simulated evacuations are well-briefed and prepared for the simulation. What about on everyday flights? Do passengers pay enough attention to safety demonstrations? Can you trust the person sitting next to you in an emergency?
A routine for most travelers, passengers seem not to be concerned with safety briefings. From what I have observed during safety demonstrations, you will probably find a few people asleep, others reading, some looking out the window, and perhaps a few sneaking in quick last text messages. Although safety procedures may be routine, a different flight could mean a different aircraft, and a different aircraft means it will have different safety procedures. While airlines and manufacturers aim for consistency and simplicity, the attention of passengers during safety announcements is vital.
David Parker Brown, owner and founder of AirlineReporter.com, spent two days at AirTran Airways’s flight attendant training program in Atlanta, GA. “I know after I sat in on the mock crash landing with AirTran, I originally forgot my life vest, but now I pay attention to see if there is a life vest under my seat and I make sure I know how to use it,” said Brown.
Want an inside view of a simulated water ditching? David was kind enough to share his video:
Responsibility lies on the airlines’ shoulders. According to the FAA, air crews are responsible for delivering safety information, but if passengers do not listen, how useful is it? Chances are, a majority of the people on an airline flight have flown before – how do you get their attention on future flights?
To solve this, airlines have created unique and funny safety videos to catch the eyes of today’s travelers. Airlines such as Virgin America and Air New Zealand have implemented safety videos sure to attract attention from passengers. Air New Zealand’s “Bare Essentials” features members of the crew wearing nothing but body-painted uniforms, and Virgin America’s funny and innovative video gives artwork an entertaining narration. “It is visually appealing, funny, but gets all the safety information across. Even though I have seen the Virgin America safety announcement video multiple times, I still can’t help but watch the whole thing,” said David Parker Brown. See Virgin America’s safety video below.
Flight attendants on some carriers, like Southwest Airlines, use their own talents and skills to get the attention of passengers during safety announcements. For years, Southwest flight attendants have sung, rapped, and made safety announcements a comedy routine. “It’s safe to say our flight attendants are encouraged to express themselves creatively not only to show that unique and fun side Southwest is known for, but also to breathe a little life into the important safety announcement,” said Southwest Airlines’s Paul Flaningan. “Anything our in-flight crews can do to capture the attention of our customers during this time is a good thing!”
For those that love exit-row seating, are you able to lift the 35-45 pound over-the-wing exit door? The FAA requires passengers to sit in a different seat if they are unable. Opening over-wing exit doors may be critical in an emergency situation. Understanding your capabilities should determine where you sit.
Do you trust the person sitting in the seat beside you in an emergency? In an industry with an excellent safety record, it’s easy for passengers to forget standard safety protocols. It may be difficult to pay attention to the same safety briefing over-and-over, yet in the rare instance of a problem occurring, perhaps the one safety feature the industry lacks is passenger attentiveness to safety instructions.
The next time you fly, be sure to: wear your seat-belt when you are seated (turbulence can knock you off guard), locate the nearest exit before the flight departs, know how use both the safety life-vest and passenger oxygen, and always obey crew-member instructions. While emergencies are very unlikely, the better prepared you are, the better your chances are of ending the flight safely.
Unfortunately, I really don’t think that people will react that quickly. Firstly, I think a person’s first instinct would be to go to the regular exit doors and not the emergency exit. Secondly, if you’re on water, you’re probably going to want to get off the plane as quickly as possible — and would trample over someone to do so. And lastly, no one really pays attention to the pre-flight safety announcement, and even if they do, they won’t remember it in a high pressure situation where their life is at stake.
In your last paragraph you mention that it’s important to wear your seat belts when seated. Imagine how many flight attendants are thrown around annually because they’re not belted in like the passengers. Do you have any numbers on that? I’d be curious to know.
Hi Bradley –
Thanks for the comment. You raised some great points, and I think it’s safe to say that the 90-second tests do not allow instinct and panic to play their role.
As for the flight attendants, it’s a frequent occurrence. According to a New York Times article, “In the first eight months of 2009, 143 flight attendants were injured on two of the major American carriers, according to the Association of Flight Attendants, a union representing them.”
Aloha Airlines Flight 243 was the first thing that came to my mind after reading your comment. A flight attendant, who was blown out of the airplane, was the only fatality.
Flight Attendants put their own safety on the line to ensure passengers are attended to, and minor injuries appear to be a frequent occurrence.
Hopefully I answered your question – thanks for reading!
- Jonathan