I’ve noticed that during my domestic flights in the Philippines, many passengers tend to unfasten their seatbelts immediately after the plane lands, even while it’s still on the runway and in motion. It’s not just a few—I’ve counted beyond ten at times, and I can distinctly hear the clicks of seatbelts being unfastened. This habit of unfastening seatbelts right after landing, while the fasten seatbelt sign is still on, needs to stop. It’s a matter of safety. The consequences could be serious if the plane suddenly brakes while taxiing or if there’s a ground collision.
What’s even more frustrating is that in the event of an injury caused by not following the fasten seatbelt sign, some passengers would still blame the pilots for the sudden stop that led to their injury. It’s hard to understand that level of disregard for safety.
When you purchase your ticket, you agree to follow the conditions of carriage (which I’m sure most people don’t read). One of those conditions is to follow all safety instructions from the flight crew, including keeping your seatbelt fastened until the sign is turned off.
As an aviation content creator who understands the risks of removing seatbelts while the plane is still in motion, I make sure to keep my seatbelt fastened until the fasten seatbelt sign is switched off. Air travel is vastly different from land travel. The behaviors that might be acceptable in a car or bus don’t translate to an aircraft, especially given the strict safety regulations in place. I hope we can collectively break the habit of unfastening our seatbelts as soon as the plane lands. It’s a small effort that could prevent significant harm.
FAA and ICAO Regulations on Seatbelt Use
The FAA and ICAO both mandate that passengers must keep their seatbelts fastened when the fasten seatbelt sign is illuminated. This rule applies throughout the flight, from takeoff to landing, and includes the taxiing phase. The fasten seatbelt sign remains on until the aircraft has come to a complete stop at the gate.
According to FAA regulations, the pilot or crew must ensure that all passengers are seated with their seatbelts fastened during these critical phases of flight. ICAO guidelines also reinforce the importance of adhering to the fasten seatbelt sign, emphasizing that passenger safety must be the top priority. These regulations exist because the taxiing phase can be unpredictable, and passengers remain at risk of injury if they are not properly secured in their seats.
Dangers of Unfastening Seatbelts During Taxiing
Many passengers underestimate the risks associated with taxiing, which is when the aircraft moves on the ground under its own power before takeoff or after landing. Although the plane may seem to be moving slowly, sudden stops, sharp turns, or unexpected movements can occur at any time. Unfastened passengers can be thrown from their seats, resulting in injuries.
Aircraft taxiing incidents are not uncommon. Ground collisions with other vehicles, abrupt stops due to obstacles, or sudden mechanical issues can cause the plane to jolt or stop abruptly. In these scenarios, passengers without seatbelts are vulnerable to injury. Even a minor jolt can cause someone to fall into the aisle, hit their head on the seat in front, or suffer other preventable injuries.
Worst-Case Scenarios of Unfastened Seatbelts
The dangers of unfastening seatbelts during taxiing can escalate in worst-case scenarios. For example, if the plane encounters a mechanical failure or a collision with another vehicle on the tarmac, the impact could be strong enough to throw unfastened passengers from their seats. In extreme cases, passengers could be seriously injured or even fatally wounded.
One scenario involves the aircraft’s emergency brakes being engaged suddenly to avoid a collision on the ground. Passengers who are not wearing their seatbelts could be thrown forward with enough force to cause severe injuries.
Last but not least, there is no gold medal for being the first passenger to reach the door and get off the aircraft. Even if you have a connecting flight, you will still have to wait until the doors are open. Keep your seatbelt fastened. The risks and dangers are very real when you unfasten your seatbelt while the plane is still in motion. Getting sent to the hospital because you were in a hurry to get off the plane is far worse than waiting, following instructions, and getting off safely.
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!
