Have A Safe Flight

Ronald Porep

Whether it is for business or recreation, you are ready to fly the friendly skies. The problem is that the skies are not so friendly anymore. Bad weather, crashes, terrorists and turbulence can make the skies seem very unfriendly unless you protect yourself.

Before You Board

Terrorism Checks

Arrive at the boarding area early. Due to the terrorist threat, it will take longer to check passengers and their luggage to be sure no one is trying to bring a bomb, gun or knife on board. It may look like the screeners are taking their time checking everyone but realize they are just taking their work as seriously as you should. Serious?

Clothes: Dress for disaster

 A disaster can range from turbulence to a crash but it does not have to hurt or kill you. Passengers who wear sensible clothing can reduce their chances of serious injury in the unlikely event of an emergency. Dress to cover as much skin as possible. Wear clothes made of natural fabrics such as cotton, wool, denim or leather as synthetics may melt when heated. Wear clothing that is roomy, avoiding restrictive clothing. And, wear low-heeled, leather or canvas shoes.

On The Plane

Carry On Baggage

Be safety conscious when stowing baggage. Check with the airline on the maximum size and number of carry-on bags you are allowed. Don’t be a bin hog by stacking items in the overhead bin or overstuffing the overhead bin. In fact, plan to check more of your baggage and carry on less. Just carry on the essentials such as prescriptions, personal hygiene items, passports, important documents and valuables (jewelry or cameras) in your carry-on bag. The rest can be left in your regular luggage.

That includes cell phones and computers as otherwise a screener may have to take apart your electronic device to be sure it is not a weapon. Remember, you have to convince authorities these days that your laptop is not a bomb or the computer will remain at the airport. Due to this, many business people have the cell phone or notebook computer they can not be without shipped to their hotel by FedEx to ensure safe delivery and avoid airport screening hassles. Stow heavy items under the seat in front of you, not overhead, if airline personnel even allows a heavy item to be taken on as carryon baggage. And, if you must evacuate the airplane, LEAVE all your carryon baggage behind. The few seconds you take to grab your notebook computer could be the difference between you getting out alive and not getting out at all.

Safety Briefing

Seemingly there can be nothing more boring than the safety presentation airline personnel give before the plane takes off. Well, maybe the presentation is a tie in the boredom race with the safety card in the seat pocket in front of you. Well, those few minutes of boredom could save your life as that information is what you need to know how to escape an air disaster.

Where are the emergency exits both in front and behind you?

How many rows are between you and the nearest front and rear exits? Where is the flotation device?

The answers to those questions are in the safety briefing and on the safety card airline personnel pray you will pay attention to. Also there are instructions about what to do when specific disasters strike. If you must evacuate the plane, stay low. Proceed to the nearest front or rear exit – count the rows between your seat and the exits - by following floor lighting to an exit. Jump feet first onto the evacuation slide. Don’t sit down to slide. Place arms across your chest, elbows in, and legs and feet together. Remove high-heeled shoes. Exit the aircraft and clear the area.

Remain alert for emergency vehicles. And NEVER return to a burning aircraft. If there is fire and smoke, stay low, moving away from the fire and smoke and using a wet handkerchief or napkin to cover your face. Use this information to create in your mind a plan to survive if disaster strikes when seconds count.

Turbulence

Of course, most planes do not crash and burn but almost all planes do encounter turbulence.

Most turbulence is unpredicted so when it does happen, adults and children who are not buckled up can be seriously injured. Indeed, the majority of turbulence-related injuries and deaths occur when the seat belt sign is on.

In non-fatal accidents, in-flight turbulence is the leading cause of injuries to airline passengers and flight attendants. Each year, approximately 58 airline passengers in the United States are injured by turbulence while not wearing their seat belts. Generally, two-thirds of turbulence-related accidents occur at or above 30,000 feet. In 1997, about half of the accidents occurred above 30,000 feet. But you can easily avoid being a turbulence victim. Make sure your seat belt is secured snugly and low across the hips. Wear your seat belt at all times, turbulence is not always predictable. Avoiding turbulence is that easy.

Unruly Passengers

Having a pleasant trip requires one more piece of cooperation that even our best known celebrities have not learned about yet.

Interference with the duties of any airplane crewmember is a violation of federal law. Fines could range up to $25,000 or more per violation in addition to criminal penalties. The FBI, federal enforcement agencies, airlines, crewmembers and FAA have combined to vigorously pursue prosecution, which has resulted in imprisonment.

Unfortunately, some of our best known air travelers have discovered the hard way that airline personnel and authorities are not putting up anything that may endanger a plane or its passengers.

Be well behaved on all flights. If you are angry at anyone, wait until you get off the plane to vent that anger.

And, what may seem funny with a few drinks in you may give you some time in prison to understand why the comment about blowing away the guy whose feet keep hitting your seat is not funny.

Conclusion

Safe flying is a matter of luck these days. Mostly though it is just common sense and helping those entrusted with your safety do their jobs.

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