It has been about six weeks since my last Adventure Layover Blog. I apologize for that, and for the break in the storytelling of the France trip. Lots going on, including my silly need to make a living.
Since I've returned from the France trip, my mega-Airline employer has needed me for a rather sizable amount of overtime flying. Because of that, I've been very busy, and I've neglected my writing duties. So thanks for your patience... there's more on France to come. But for now, something more important is pressing, and I'd like to talk about it: Last week's crash of Asiana Flight 214 at San Francisco.
As a professional traveler, I've learned that there are some things every traveler can do to fly more safely. And while there are never guarantees in life, these things can significantly increase your odds of survival in an aviation accident. They are simple and easy to do. Let's talk about them!
Takeoff and landing are the two most critical phases of every flight, and because of that, those two short periods of time are when we, as passengers, are most vulnerable. There are common sense things you should do each and every time you fly.
1) As you find your seat, note the closest and second closest exits to your seat. Count the rows. Is the nearest exit ahead of you or behind? Left side of the fuselage or right? Window exit or door? Remember this information. Plan your exit strategy NOW, before you need it.
2) Wear flat, rubber soled shoes. Do not take them off before you reach cruise altitude, and put them back on well before landing. Don't wear flip flops or sandals.
3) During takeoff and landing, ensure your belt is VERY tight. Sit with your arms at your sides, and if possible, put your hands under your buttocks. Sit straight in your seat, and keep your head facing forward, feet flat on the floor. Did I mention to have your belt very tight? Don't store anything heavy or sharp in the seatback pocket. Laptops go into the overhead bin. Have your ID and cellphone in your pocket for takeoff and landing.
4) If there is an "incident" and you have to evacuate the aircraft, remember these things: Leave ALL your bags behind, grab your cellphone and ID/passport if they aren't in your pocket already and head for the door. If there is smoke in the cabin, stay as low as you can. When you reach the exit, if it is still closed, look out the window before you open the door, checking for debris and flames. Assist other passengers out the exit... and yes, if they won't move, push them. Yell, scream, curse at them... whatever it takes. Whatever you do, don't let yourself get killed because you were too polite with someone whose fear had frozen them in place.
5) Exit the aircraft expeditiously. Leave your bags and all your other shit behind. Move upwind of the fuselage if at all possible. Stay in groups and wait for help.
The early pictures tweeted passengers from Asiana 214 right after the accident showed people sitting on the ground on their rollaboard bags near the burning fuselage. To me, this is a sickening and deadly indicator that some did not have any concept of the truly dangerous nature of the situation. DO NOT bring your baggage out of the aircraft as you evacuate. Your belongings are replaceable, but you... and the fellow passengers you are endangering... are not.
So many things went wrong with Asiana 214 that it would be easy to overlook all of the things that went positively right. First and foremost, kudos to the engineers at Boeing for designing and building an aircraft that remained intact and resisted a rapid fire that could have killed everyone onboard, and to the Asiana Cabin Crew that evacuated the aircraft quickly and professionally. Flight Attendants aren't simply sky-servers... they are aboard for your safety. Every passenger onboard that aircraft alive today owes their Flight Attendants a debt of gratitude.
I won't comment on what may have caused the accident except to say that as a type rated and fully qualified B777 First Officer, I felt that this aircraft was the best designed and easiest to fly of any Transport Category jet aircraft I've flown. It is an incredibly advanced aircraft and obviously, a very strong airframe. As of this writing, there were no known mechanical defects on the aircraft, and the airplane performed as it should have. The rest will come out over time.
Aircraft accidents are exceedingly rare. The odds of being involved in one are similar to winning the lottery... and you aren't going to win the lottery, so what does that tell you? But preparation is very important... because your life is at stake. Be aware, and be ready. And once you've done the basics, relax, because the odds of anything bad happening are infinitesimally small.
So prepare, then go forth and enjoy your trip!
Since I've returned from the France trip, my mega-Airline employer has needed me for a rather sizable amount of overtime flying. Because of that, I've been very busy, and I've neglected my writing duties. So thanks for your patience... there's more on France to come. But for now, something more important is pressing, and I'd like to talk about it: Last week's crash of Asiana Flight 214 at San Francisco.
 | |
| Oh, good. Mr. Smith was able to save his luggage. |
Takeoff and landing are the two most critical phases of every flight, and because of that, those two short periods of time are when we, as passengers, are most vulnerable. There are common sense things you should do each and every time you fly.
1) As you find your seat, note the closest and second closest exits to your seat. Count the rows. Is the nearest exit ahead of you or behind? Left side of the fuselage or right? Window exit or door? Remember this information. Plan your exit strategy NOW, before you need it.
 | |
| Where was my closest exit...? Wait, where did everybody go? Hello? |
2) Wear flat, rubber soled shoes. Do not take them off before you reach cruise altitude, and put them back on well before landing. Don't wear flip flops or sandals.
 |
| Get out as quickly as you can. Time is of the essence. These seats survived the crash, but were consumed in flame after the passengers evacuated. |
4) If there is an "incident" and you have to evacuate the aircraft, remember these things: Leave ALL your bags behind, grab your cellphone and ID/passport if they aren't in your pocket already and head for the door. If there is smoke in the cabin, stay as low as you can. When you reach the exit, if it is still closed, look out the window before you open the door, checking for debris and flames. Assist other passengers out the exit... and yes, if they won't move, push them. Yell, scream, curse at them... whatever it takes. Whatever you do, don't let yourself get killed because you were too polite with someone whose fear had frozen them in place.
5) Exit the aircraft expeditiously. Leave your bags and all your other shit behind. Move upwind of the fuselage if at all possible. Stay in groups and wait for help.
The early pictures tweeted passengers from Asiana 214 right after the accident showed people sitting on the ground on their rollaboard bags near the burning fuselage. To me, this is a sickening and deadly indicator that some did not have any concept of the truly dangerous nature of the situation. DO NOT bring your baggage out of the aircraft as you evacuate. Your belongings are replaceable, but you... and the fellow passengers you are endangering... are not.
 |
| The Asiana Flight Attendants have been well known for their beauty and poise. I've seen them walking through airports around the world, perfectly dressed, made up and coiffed. From now on, they'll be known for their professionalism, duty and heroism in the face of adversity. Oh, and there's Mr. Smith again. Glad he got his bags. You too, Messrs. Jones and Thompson. You're idiots. I hope no one died that day because of your selfishness and stupidity. |
I won't comment on what may have caused the accident except to say that as a type rated and fully qualified B777 First Officer, I felt that this aircraft was the best designed and easiest to fly of any Transport Category jet aircraft I've flown. It is an incredibly advanced aircraft and obviously, a very strong airframe. As of this writing, there were no known mechanical defects on the aircraft, and the airplane performed as it should have. The rest will come out over time.
Aircraft accidents are exceedingly rare. The odds of being involved in one are similar to winning the lottery... and you aren't going to win the lottery, so what does that tell you? But preparation is very important... because your life is at stake. Be aware, and be ready. And once you've done the basics, relax, because the odds of anything bad happening are infinitesimally small.
So prepare, then go forth and enjoy your trip!
No comments:
Post a Comment