Last week, Matthew wrote about an American Airlines flight on which in the midst of an emergency evacuation there were multiple passengers refusing to follow crew commands. In recent years, society has tended to focus an increasing amount of attention on the rights of individuals while ignoring the impacts of those rights on others. I think we need to address this.
Flying in an airliner, folks, is not a solo endeavor and the decisions made by others can have potentially fatal consequences to those around them. Individual customers also don’t have the necessary information or training to make decisions contrary to crew instructions in any but the most extreme circumstances.
Follow Crewmember Instructions. Period
If you’re a parent this is a concept that you’re likely familiar with, especially if you have young children. Our kids very often want to question instructions they are given and sometimes we can stop to explain the rationale behind what we are telling them to do. However, sometimes we don’t have time to explain the danger they are about to walk into and cannot yet perceive.
A Real Life Analogy
For example, we live on a cul-de-sac of 10 homes, four of which have young children under 12. There are a total of seven boys and two girls on the street all fairly close in age and since it’s a cul-de-sac the kids are often to be found playing in the street. Recently, one of my neighbors was bitten by a large dog owned by another neighbor. He had warned me about this as it was something we obviously wanted to be mindful of with all the kids in the street. So, when my 10-year-old son came home telling me they had found a dog in the street my wife and I went immediately to investigate.
The neighbor who owned the aggressive dog also had a smaller very friendly beagle that had managed to get out. My son was about to run to this neighbor’s door to inform them and normally that wouldn’t have been a problem. Except he didn’t know what my wife and I did about the neighbor’s other dog. He was insistent that he could do it and I had to come down hard to get him to stop because at that moment I didn’t have time to go into a long explanation. To make a long story short, it was a good thing it was me at the door because despite my vigilance and the neighbor’s efforts, the large dog got past him and managed to bite my leg…sending me to the ER.
I tell this story because on an airplane in an emergency, there isn’t always time for explanations. There isn’t time to tell passengers everything we know. Often there isn’t time for pilots to even fully inform flight attendants. My colleagues and I don’t order an emergency evacuation without careful consideration. I’m keenly aware that if I do so it’s guaranteed that grandma is going to end up with a broken ankle or worse going down the slide. So, when I do order an evacuation it’s absolutely imperative that passengers follow crew commands to the letter. There isn’t time to discuss and debate it because lives are literally on the line.
Another Example: Aeroflot 1492
I want to focus in on Aeroflot flight 1492 as an example. This was an accident in which a SSJ-100 crashed on landing bursting into flames before coming to a stop. Watch the linked video and pay particular attention at about the 44-second mark.
Notice how there is a pause in the flow of people exiting the aircraft? Notice how the next person down the slide is carrying his bag? 41 people lost their lives in this event. The intensity of the fire at the back of the airplane likely meant there was zero hope of getting everyone off. However, it’s also clear that every fraction of a second counted. With smoke and flames filling a cabin full of panicked people, that pause was certainly responsible for a fellow passenger being injured or killed. Is your bag so important that the person behind you deserves to die? I hope not.
When there is an emergency on an airplane and the crew starts shouting commands you should have one response. Listen and obey, period. That’s it. Don’t think, just do. Your stuff isn’t worth your life or the lives of those around you. I simply cannot emphasize this point strongly enough. You as a customer lack the knowledge, training, and experience to do otherwise.
Put Things In Perspective…
Flying on an airliner, especially in the Western world, is an incredibly safe activity. I’ve now been flying an airliner longer than my grandfather (he had a heart attack and lost his medical at the age of 53) and when I look back at his old logbooks he used to have an engine failure as a matter of routine when he was flying piston-engine airliners. I’ve never had one in my entire career. But no matter how safe an activity is, sometimes things go wrong. Be prepared in case that happens to you.
Know where you’re sitting and where your closest exits are. Wear closed-toe footwear that can’t fall off your feet during takeoff and landing. Keep your seatbelt on unless you’re getting up out of your seat. And should you ever be in an emergency of some kind follow the crew instructions to the letter. Finally, remember your stuff isn’t worth making a kid an orphan or depriving some child the chance to live their life into adulthood.
> Read More: Passengers Brazenly Defy American Airlines Flight Attendants During Emergency Evacuation
image: @C1V0 / X
Sure I’ll obey the crew…if it’s logical.
See? I told you so. The perfect example. See below.
Have the zip-ties ready for these fascist idiots and be ready to use them.
@Mike … A recent analogy illustrating Chi’s perceptive point was the Lahaina fire on Maui . Barricades were set across the road leading out of Lahaina , which caused traffic to stop . Many who went around the barricades escaped the fire . That is why it is appropriate to go around the barricades , throw the burning laptop out of the airplane , and stay away from vicious dogs .
It’s totally NOT even remotely the same. Going around a barrier doesn’t endanger the lives of those behind you that you may be blocking in your effort to determine the logic of an instruction/command etc.
@Chi … +1 . Perceptive .
Thank you sir!
You missed the point entirely. Perhaps you should read this again: …”on an airplane in an emergency, there isn’t always time for explanations. There isn’t time to tell passengers everything we know. Often there isn’t time for pilots to even fully inform flight attendants. ”
If you’re in a window seat, feel free to play Spock.
Shame on you.
You’re a friggin idiot China man
Now talk dirty to me baby
Hallelujah. And thank you, you are of course 100% right.
But your common-sense advice will fall on lots of deaf ears here. It’s sadly ironic that you chose to post it here, of all places, a blog run by a far-right Republican which caters to and coddles extremist MAGA lunatics. That you cite the tragic Aeroflot 1492 accident is even more ironic, as the same boosters of this blog love nothing more than selfish, dishonest Russian propaganda and everything Russian. For them, it’s all about how much they can steal and cheat and lie about to benefit themselves at the expense of everyone else – that’s Trumpism.
I completely agree with your post, sir, and appreciate your contribution. On the plane, the captain’s word is law, period. But don’t expect the MAGA crazies to comply, they are the cause of our society’s downfall. I hope your dog bite heals well. Blue skies and tailwinds, friend, and thank you for safely bringing us and our loved ones home on every flight.
See? This is the type of guy who your calls to unquestioned authority appeals to.
@Mike: A “blog run by a far-right Republican“?
Lol.
It’s the crazy Lefty’s who insist on PRONOUNS before they’ll move their @sses out if the way !
Excellent you stopped your son from approaching the home of the vicious dog . Perhaps better to telephone the neighbor , rather than approaching on foot ?
Excellent article.
That horrifying video really puts things in perspectives. The airline would reimburse you for luggage anyways
That is a wrong assumption. Particularly American Airlines will be really stingy and offer minimal reimbursement .
I agree with the article mostly but keep in mind the following:
Are there ever some over cautious crew? For example, turning on the seat belt light upon the lightest disturbance and keeping it on for hours?
Cutting back amenities and then saying flight attendants are primarily for your safety and don’t need to practice good customer service.
That no US crash has happened with deaths attributed to bringing luggage? (At least in the past 25 years for UA, DL, AA, WN, AS, B6, CO, PA, NW, TW, VX, TI, HP)
With those considerations, I fill my pockets with keys, wallet, passport, and phone upon take off and approach for landing. Women might consider a fanny pack with same if they lack pockets.
People don’t care and it’s only going to get worse
In social psychology, people look after themselves and they don’t always follow the rules.
Many people may have life saving medication in those carry-on bags and thus, for some, the need to not be separated from such. Perhaps if all passengers were required to stow all such medications in clothing, moneybelts, etc. while on board, they might be less inclined to slow down in an emergency exit and grab for that
carry-on.
They won’t need the medication if they’re dead fool. They can get some at the hospital they’re headed for when they’re injured! Idiot
Not surprised what happened on that Aeroflot flight. Russians are among the most corrupt, selfish people on earth. Plus, I’m sure some of the bags were full of dirty money.
Only thing worse than Russians are the Ukrainians. Just as corrupt but their woman aren’t even willing to come to New York to work in strip clubs. And Putin is at least funny, unlike the grifting comedian claiming to run Ukraine.
I know it is a stretch, but AA should attempt to identify the idiots questioning the urgency of the evacuation and insisting they get their baggage. Put every damn one of them on a no fly list, as they disregarded the directions of cabin crew, which is a violation of Federal law. Then publicize the fact, not the names, just the fact that these individuals have been banned from flying AA for risking the lives of fellow passengers.
I agree with your comments on Airline banning passengers cause disurbances and dis obey FA/Crew instructions. The problem with this is the Airline. They dont want to tarnish their name and reputation. Its all about the money. When disaster strikes? The play a good remorse card and extend sympathy etc. Its all BS and they think the public believes them. Managers are greedy and delusional most of the time.
As a retired military pilot, I remember calling for the evacuation of our KC-135 due to an engine fire. We did not have air stairs, nor slides. Just a ladder in the crew entry chute. A passenger walked up to my fellow pilot and asked if he would pass down his briefcase after he climbed down the ladder. My buddy grabbed the briefcase, threw it down the chute and yelled “an engine is on fire, get off the damn airplane.” Too bad that can’t happen on airliners.
@Bhn … +1 .
I agree with the overall sentiment of this– passengers should generally do as instructed in an emergency… however…
I think the video provided shows additional important information. Even if a plane is engulfed in flames with people suffering and dying onboard– literally burning to death– passengers will attempt to take their carryon bags with them when evacuating.
If passengers don’t respect a hades style fireball and the imminent threat of death, then I don’t think any amount of FA instruction or shouting or writing or videos will bring about a robust change in behavior. I think things like lockable overhead bins, less baggage in the cabin (reduced carryon allowance and/or fees that incentivize checking bags), fewer passengers and/or more exits– these things seem more likely to make a real difference.
Lastly, I think that many passengers have unfortunately encountered FAs with very discrepant levels of competency. This has resulted in a lack of confidence in FAs, and an erosion of there authority. Better and more FAs might be able to improve this situation, but this would take time (years) and may not be economically viable.
…Reminds me of being in a prison
Include the visual of the consequences of stopping to get luggage in a video like JAL and ANA do and more people will understand. Merely mentioning “leave your carry ons on board” during the demo is better than nothing but not enough.
How about telling those pasengersthat they will be baned or safety reasons? How about one strike and you are out? In my humble opion, it is just a matter of time, until deths ans injuries occur if this type of behavior doesn’t stop.
The problem is the New Age philosophy this country adopted of whatever you feel is a valid guide to decision making. I’ve worked in surgical suites where the surgeon walked out for a break and left the nurse with an open wound laying on the table ,an anesthesia chief punch a female anesthesiologist and have her fired and interns left alone during major surgical procedures with no surgeon nearby.
Agree, but you have a society and political party that puts the individual over the group. Until you fix that, American society is still going to be the same.
Maybe safety videos should show training video of what each instruction looks like in real life. Scare passengers to behave may have the effect needed. And don’t apologize either if it offends or frightens passengers.
@Mike it is the crazy Leftists ruining our country,,Bidenomics soon to be Comm-Laomics
Shouldn’t that dog be put down? I heard once before after they bite two people.
The basic rule is: The first bite’s free. After a dog has bitten someone once they have an observed predisposition to biting and the liability skyrockets. As long as the owner is willing to pay the – presumably ever-increasing – penalties they can keep the dog, even though it’s a bad decision.
You make a clear, concise, absolutely rational argument that simply will not work. Unless society makes some substantial changes you’re going to see jerks acting with insane selfishness by grabbing luggage from overhead when they should be running for their lives. The only viable solution is to make it so that the overhead bins are locked from the cockpit. If people know that in advance they will be less inclined to waste effort on a futile attempt to grab their belongings.
What needs to happen is…
1. As @askmrlee said, depicting the ramifications of retrieving luggage during evacuation in the safety video the way JAL does. However, when the passengers are selfish Americans, this won’t be enough, so…
2. Actual consequences for passengers who retrieve luggage during evacuation, starting with the easiest one: Perma ban. Forever. It should be that simple: “No Respect For Safety, No Service, No Exceptions.” The safety videos should state it too. “Failure to comply endangers the lives of you and other customers, and will result in permanent loss of travel privileges with us.”
3. Laws to explicitly criminalize retrieving luggage during evacuation. In the US, these laws can be enacted at both the federal and state levels – so even if Washington won’t act, Sacramento, Tallahassee, Beacon Hill, and so on can act. In all cases, it should be a felony, and if anyone gets killed as a result of the violation, it should constitute “felony murder” in states that use that doctrine.
I like where you’re going but if you have dead people on a plane because some jerkwads insisted on grabbing their bags, explaining to the jerkwads that they’re likely going to prison and then can’t fly on the airline when released won’t do much. Making it so that overhead bins are locked will at least mitigate things before there are dead people.
Passengers always have the right to escalate any disagreements over a decision to evacuate to a supervisor. Insist on your rights if you feel that the employee may have overstepped their authority or made an incorrect decision. A supervisor will be able to clarify the situation for you if you survive.
The supervisor will be the twin sister of Camel-a . No thanks . I’m making my own decision , thank you .