Many of us may have memorized parts of the safety instructions given by flight attendants, but do we truly understand the reasons behind them? Instructions like stowing tray tables, keeping window shades up during take-off, and remaining seated with the seatbelt fastened are not arbitrary; they all have specific, safety-related purposes.
Every directive provided by a flight attendant has its rationale, and non-compliance, especially during emergencies, can lead to fatal consequences.
The seemingly small instructions, such as fastening seatbelts, raising window shades, stowing tray tables, keeping seats in an upright position, and staying strapped in while the fasten seatbelt sign is on, are all designed with your safety in mind. They are crucial for ensuring the well-being of everyone on board.
Keeping seatbelts fasten when the fasten seatbelt sign is on:
Particularly during take-off, landing, and times of turbulence, these safety measures are crucial to prevent you from being thrown around the cabin, which can have fatal consequences. It is also recommended to keep your seatbelts fastened throughout the flight, except when you need to use the lavatory, walk around a bit, or stretch. This continuous practice of safety can significantly reduce the risk of injury during unforeseen flight disturbances.
Window shades up:
In an aircraft cabin, when all the lights are turned off, it becomes very dark. During an emergency, it’s highly likely that all lights will go off. Keeping the window shades up allows your eyes to adjust to the natural light outside, contrasting with the dark cabin interior. In the event of an emergency, this adjustment enables you to see properly since your eyes are already accustomed to the natural light. Additionally, having the window shades up allows passengers to notice any unusual occurrences, such as an engine fire, which should be reported to the cabin crew immediately. However, this rule is not universally mandated across all airlines in different countries.
Tray tables stowed:
Not only can a lowered tray table block your exit from your seat during an emergency, but it also poses a risk of causing injury, such as puncturing or breaking your ribs, particularly during a turbulent or terrain landing. Keeping it stowed ensures that everyone in your row can access the aisle immediately if needed.
Seats in upright position:
Keeping your seat reclined may impede the passenger seated behind you from accessing the aisle in an emergency situation. It’s crucial that all passengers are able to reach the aisle as quickly as possible, and maintaining seats in an upright position facilitates this.
Do not take your luggage from the overhead bins:
Leave all your luggage behind in an emergency. Attempting to retrieve it can significantly delay the evacuation process, and this has tragically been proven to cost lives. For instance, when an Aeroflot Sukhoi Superjet 100 crash-landed in Moscow, almost half of the passengers and a crew member lost their lives because some passengers in the front were retrieving their luggage from the overhead bins, thereby delaying the evacuation. Always remember, every second counts in such situations. Material items can be replaced, but lives cannot.
Operating the emergency exit doors:
“With great legroom comes great responsibility. Regardless of how many times we’ve been briefed in the past, it’s essential to be reminded of how to operate the emergency exit doors if we’re seated in an exit row. In a critical situation, the lives of others may depend on your ability and judgment in opening that door. Therefore, it’s crucial to pay close attention to the flight attendants when they provide instructions.
Safety is paramount
In the airline industry, safety is paramount. As safety professionals, flight attendants undergo extensive training to ensure the well-being of passengers. It’s vital to listen to and obey their instructions, particularly during take-off and landing. Failing to do so, especially in an emergency situation, can have fatal consequences.
Always pay attention to a flight attendant’s safety instructions. It’s crucial never to disregard them, as these instructions can save lives.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
