Some people wonder why airlines and airplanes have strange and weird rules on board, such as keeping window shades open during take-off and landing even if the sun is glaring, why tray tables must be stowed when you need a table to work on, and so on. All these are due to safety reasons mostly. There are also other specific reasons why these rules are there.
Allow me to go over some of these weird rules and why airlines have to strictly implement them
Only able-bodied adults are permitted to sit in the emergency exit row.
The most leg room is usually found in emergency exit seats. However, with great comfort comes great responsibility: in the event of an emergency, you will be tasked with assisting other passengers to exit the plane before you. In addition, you must meet the eligibility requirements to sit there. Only healthy adults are permitted to occupy these seats; they are also required to read the safety card for emergency exits in order to be prepared to assist the cabin crew in the event of an emergency. Parents with small children, children under the age of 15, and people with physical disabilities are just a few of the passengers who are not permitted to sit in the emergency exit row.
Before takeoff and landing, stow your tray table.
The takeoff and landing phases of a flight are two of the most critical. According to a 2017 Boeing report, 61 percent of fatal accidents occurred during takeoff, initial climb, final approach, or landing from 2007 to 2016. In the event of an emergency, a secured tray table would clear the way for you and other passengers to evacuate.
During takeoff and landing, the window shades must be raised.
Shade-free airplane windows not only provide spectacular views of picturesque landscapes, but they also keep you safe. When the window shades are raised, natural light floods the plane cabin, assisting passengers in orienting their eyes to their surroundings, which is especially useful when the lights go out in an emergency.
Before takeoff and landing, stow your belongings beneath the seat.
Pay attention when your flight attendant instructs you to stow everything under the seat in front of you during takeoff. If you’re falling from the sky quickly, a harmless stuffed book bag on your lap could turn into a dangerous projectile. These can also be stored in the overhead compartments.
Dimming airplane lights prior to takeoff and landing is also done for safety reasons.
Dimming airplane lights, like raising window shades during takeoff and landing, is a standard safety procedure that allows passengers’ eyes to adjust more quickly during an emergency evacuation. If the power goes out or the cabin fills with smoke, your eyes are already accustomed to low lighting, making it easier to see emergency lights in the aisles and exit signs.
At the airport security check, all laptops must be removed from carry-on bags.
Laptops are another likely location for hidden explosives. According to the TSA, placing a laptop separately in a bin allows screeners to get a clear look at a computer to determine if it’s hiding anything suspicious. This stipulation also enables scanners to get a clearer picture of your carry-on bag without a bulky laptop interfering with the X-ray image.
So, hopefully, this explains why these “weird rules” must be implemented. Again, they all point to two things. The airline’s top priority is safety and security.
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!
