Hi,

I have been flying for past many years and blindly following many of the Do's and Dont's like -

1. Fasten seat belt
2. Handphones off during the entire flight
3. Laptops, MP3 players switched ON after take off but OFF during landing.
4. Tray tables to be in place during take off and landing
5. Preferred to keep shoes ON during take off and landing

and may be some more.

I was wondering if some one can give answers as to why we need to follow all these things ?

:thanx:

Answers I've been told over the past few years by FAA and aerospace guys. Who knows if they were having some fun with a Quality Geek?

Hi,

I have been flying for past many years and blindly following many of the Do's and Dont's like -

1. Fasten seat belt (AIR POCKETS IN FLIGHT CAN BE SCARY! - my personal experience!)
2. Handphones off during the entire flight (Over land, it will disrupt multiple cell towers simultaneously - over sea, with no cell towers within range, it is just wasted battery power. Most avionics guys say cell phones DO NOT disrupt the aircraft's avionics)
3. Laptops, MP3 players switched ON after take off but OFF during landing. (no clue - makes no sense except for safety of being alert oneself and not distracted by laptop.)
4. Tray tables to be in place during take off and landing - (pure safety so you don't get "speared" by a tray table against your chest or abdomen if the seat latch on the seat in front of you gets loosened by accident or purpose during the takeoff or landing.)
5. Preferred to keep shoes ON during take off and landing (So you don't get injured by debris or other people if you need to make emergency exit)

and may be some more.

I was wondering if some one can give answers as to why we need to follow all these things ?

:thanx:[/quote]

Also read this 2 articles.

In-Flight Gadget Do's and Don'ts - washingtonpost.com (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/29/AR2007082900387.html?nav=hcmodule)

Long list of do's, don'ts for air travel gets longer ... (http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-te.md.travel11aug11,1,1092379.story)

Just a couple of points listed here that can be found in the link below.

1. Always count the number of seats to the exit. Be able to get to that spot very quickly should the plane crash.

2. Read the little cards. Know where the exits are, and how many seats away they are.

http://www.wikihow.com/Survive-a-Plane-Crash

Hi all,

Thanks for info and the weblinks; very informative :)

Always get the exit! (Unless of course you're in 1st Class, then try to get the aisle)

Try to get the aisle regardless of seating (you don't want to get trapped)

Wear cotton clothing (a tad bit more fire resistant and cotton doesn't melt)

Wear full length pants and closed toe shoes (better survivability in fire)

Especially for ladies - Nylon stockings/pantyhose are big No, No's. I was told at a seminar that the heat generated while sliding down the emegency chute may be enough to melt it and stick to ones skin.

Especially for ladies - Nylon stockings/pantyhose are big No, No's. I was told at a seminar that the heat generated while sliding down the emergency chute may be enough to melt it and stick to ones skin.They can be a bear to take off while rushing for an exit!:lmao:

Re: cotton - wool is also pretty fire proof; synthetic fabrics have a nasty habit of melting and/or sustaining flame - ever see the effect of lighting the end of nylon or polyethylene cord or rope?

If my creator would have wanted me to fly, HE would have given me wings????;)

I have heard that the safest place to be is the last row? Any comments? I truly do hate flying, I am sure that I have mentioned that before.

If my creator would have wanted me to fly, HE would have given me wings????;)

If God had intended us to fly he would have given us tickets.


I have heard that the safest place to be is the last row? Any comments?

If that's true, why is there only one last row?:notme:

I have heard that the safest place to be is the last row?

I suppose planes tend not to reverse into mountains so you would be farthest away from the impact :lmao:

I would also like to know why they lift the window blinds and dim the lights when landing in the dark.

I have heard that the safest place to be is the last row? Any comments?

On a more serious note, I think that the safest place to be is near the exits (http://www.askcaptainlim.com/ashowsafe1.htm#Where%20is%20the%20best%20and%20safest%20seat%20in%20an%20airplane?%A0), but not necessarily in the exit rows, since in order to sit there you have to agree to become part of the crew in helping others out should anything bad happen. The link above is to a site operated by an airline pilot that has lots of interesting information.

I suppose planes tend not to reverse into mountains so you would be farthest away from the impact :lmao:.

That makes sense! :tg:

I would also like to know why they lift the window blinds and dim the lights when landing in the dark.

Have you ever caught chickens for butchering? You wait til it is dark and they are quiet and calm, they don't make a fuss in the face of impending doom.

Jim-God don't need no steenkin' tickets.:lmao:

I would also like to know why they lift the window blinds and dim the lights when landing in the dark.

Hello Colpart:

From a Yahoo Forum:

"They dim the light so the passengers eyes get accustomed to the darkness in case there is an emergency on takeoffs and landing. The exit signs and placards illuminate but if there is too much light in the cabin nobody can see them.

Next time you board a commercial aircraft look at them. You really can't see them much and most people ignore them. But kill the cabin lighting and you will notice they all glow.

Btw, the floor lights are called eel lights, those run on battery power."

Does that make you feel better? :D:D

Stijloor.

I get some funny looks when asked if I'm willing and able to get the exit open in an emergency while seated in the emergency row (better legroom). When I bring up the 125 parachute jumps and 1 ejection ride from an OV-10 I'm just trying to let them know that getting out will not be an issue:lol:

1. Fasten seat belt (AIR POCKETS IN FLIGHT CAN BE SCARY! - my personal experience!)Scary is putting it mildly. I don't care what the sign says: I never (unless I have to go to the loo) unfasten the seatbelt as long as the plane is moving. Turbulence can give you the ride of your life if you're not tied to your seat.

I once saw a bloke suffer the consequences of not using the seatbelt, btw: We were supposed to land in Paris, but it would appear that the man in the front office set the thing down some 10-20m above the runway, so we came down instead. Bags and things went flying all over the cabin, and so did he. Fortunately he did not land on someone else, but he did not look at all well afterwards. I don't think the poor aeroplane did any more flying that day either.

/Claes

1. Fasten seat belt (AIR POCKETS IN FLIGHT CAN BE SCARY! - my personal experience!)

:thanx:[/QUOTE]

Turbulence in a big plane is not fun, but try getting caught up in the wake turbulance from a C-5 Galaxy and you're in an OH-58A. Also flying in the mountains the thermals and downdrafts are a killer added to the roiling from the heat in the desert.

On a more serious note, I think that the safest place to be is near the exits (http://www.askcaptainlim.com/ashowsafe1.htm#Where%20is%20the%20best%20and%20safest%20seat%20in%20an%20airplane?%A0), but not necessarily in the exit rows, since in order to sit there you have to agree to become part of the crew in helping others out should anything bad happen. The link above is to a site operated by an airline pilot that has lots of interesting information.

Hi Jim, you seemed to have your Avatar. Good to have a look of REAL Jim :cool:

Oh yes....No FLATULENCE!:mg:

One golden advice - Don't talk too much!

A lady was going through security check with her few years old son. When the son asked why there is a need for such a check, she promptly replied that "they" are afraid that you may be carrying a bomb. Security overheard it and she was detained for several hours. Grilled and roasted, she was finally released without an apology.

It happened in a one of our neighboring country.

Thats a good laugh :lol::lol::lol:

Hi,

I have been flying for past many years and blindly following many of the Do's and Dont's like -

1. Fasten seat belt
2. Handphones off during the entire flight
3. Laptops, MP3 players switched ON after take off but OFF during landing.
4. Tray tables to be in place during take off and landing
5. Preferred to keep shoes ON during take off and landing

and may be some more.

I was wondering if some one can give answers as to why we need to follow all these things ?

:thanx:

I thought of one more good piece of advice for airline travelers: if you don't like the in-flight movie, don't walk out of the theater.

I thought of one more good piece of advice for airline travelers: if you don't like the in-flight movie, don't walk out of the theater.

Thats a good one :D

I suppose planes tend not to reverse into mountains so you would be farthest away from the impact :lmao:

I've heard the safest place is over the wing. Supposed to be the most structrually safest part of the plane and there's always an exit over the wing.



I would also like to know why they lift the window blinds and dim the lights when landing in the dark.


I asked a Qantas Flight Attendant once on a flight from Oz and he said that in case of an emergency landing at night you can see where you're going.
The blinds being up I was told was that the flight attendants can only see out a couple of windows, if something falls off or goes wrong its better to have a couple dozen eyeballs looking at it rather than two. (Yes it was said with a straight face).

I would enter the aircraft in the end & put my lugguage in the business class instead of economy class where I belong. My chinese friend advice. :notme:

I would enter the aircraft in the end & put my lugguage in the business class instead of economy class where I belong. My chinese friend advice. :notme:

amanbhai,

Dont you think its risky as you are seated away from your belongings :mg:

People put their luggage in the forward section of the craft in case there is no room by their seat. They're concerned that if they have to put their luggage behind them they'll have to wait for the back of the plane to disembark before they have a chance to retrive their own luggage. Personnal, I find this a tad selfish. Folks up in the front have paid for the convenience of sitting up their...along with their luggage.

Typically, I pack a small purse or bag with my necessary toiletries for those longer flights and stow my carry-on above me. My laptop bag goes under the seat however for easy access...especially as Air Canada AC902 (Toronto - Tampa) and AC903 (Tampa - Toronto) have become my mobile offices. :lol:

And, naturally, I type all of this while waiting in the lounge for my 10:55 departure of AC902.

Thanks to all

Lot of good answers :applause:

How strict is security in your countries these days? I have not flown since early this year but I understand that they are still very strict on what you can take on board as hand baggage. Particularly tough on things like fluids, gels, creams, etc. where you cannot have more than 100 ml. Also still restrictions on the size of hand luggage.

How strict is security in your countries these days? I have not flown since early this year but I understand that they are still very strict on what you can take on board as hand baggage. Particularly tough on things like fluids, gels, creams, etc. where you cannot have more than 100 ml. Also still restrictions on the size of hand luggage.Years ago, when I had to fly on a lot of very small "puddle jumpers," it was standard practice for the airline to have a small metal box at the boarding gate. If your TOTAL hand baggage (purse, briefcase, overnight bag, etc.) did not fit in the box with the lid closed and latched, the excess had to be checked as baggage and retrieved at the destination.

The GOOD NEWS was we didn't have jetways, so you had an option:
you could retrieve your baggage right at the plane before going into the terminal, OR
wait and claim heavier stuff at the baggage claimThe BAD NEWS was we had to get off the plane in all sorts of weather and walk (or ride) to the terminal. I remember Long Beach, California airport without jetways up into the 80s, but I haven't been there since '82.

How strict is security in your countries these days? I have not flown since early this year but I understand that they are still very strict on what you can take on board as hand baggage. Particularly tough on things like fluids, gels, creams, etc. where you cannot have more than 100 ml. Also still restrictions on the size of hand luggage.

The 100 mL has been per bottle and they must fit in one zip-loc bag (I forget the size). Granted, I've been permitted to get away with 2 bags as some of my liquids are in strange shapes (like contact lens containers).

Personally, I love the the prohibited weapons at one security gate in Toronto's airport...no hockey sticks. :lol: Something tells me only a person who appreciates hockey will find that amusing.

I would enter the aircraft in the end & put my lugguage in the business class instead of economy class where I belong. My chinese friend advice. :notme:

I don't think it is risky since security is much improved these days. :applause:

Also, I enter in the aircraft in the end so I feel if there is enough space in the business class I out my lugguae there. My personal expeince says there is always a room for hand carry in the business class but in the economy class almost always there is none.;)

Seat belts - yes, very necessary for takeoff, landing and turbulence. Most of the rest of the time it is on is CYA against lawsuits, especially in the US. On a US carrier you will never see the seat belt sign off until you are at cruise, ususally at least 30 minutes after takeoff. On a European carrier, it usually is off at the 10K foot mark while you are still in a climb. Passengers routinely ignore it anymore, but if something does happen the airline can blame them (and rightly so). If is was really dangerous to be out of your seat, would the flight attendants be up pushing around carts full of projectiles? It was on for over an hour on my flight out of Las Vegas last night through calm air.

I was on a flight Sunday and the flight attendent told one of the passengers that the pilots had a sensor that could tell if someone left their cell phone on. :bonk: Yeah, right. I guarantee there are hundreds of cell phones currently in flight that are powered on doing nothing other than killling the battery. I agree cell phones in flight would be a bad bad thing.

Security - more strict and a major waste of resources looking for water and taking off shoes. I love when I have to take off my shoes so they can go through an xray machine, which does not detect explosives. I then get to walk barefoot through a puffer machine that DOES detect explosives. Then I get to go through the metal detector.

A relative who is in the US Army recently told me he had to fly a commercial airline with his full gear including his weapon. When it arrived at the security point they made him take off his boots to make sure he wasn't carrying any weapons in his shoes.
Needless to say he was a little dumbfounded by this act because on his shoulder was a fully loaded assault rifle and a service revolver on his hip.
:bonk:
He was told it was procedure...

Earlier this year the security staff at MSP about wet themselves when they saw I had (gasp) a bag of water in my carry on. Unfortunately, it was only a large apple. Queue the pat down, step over here please...That's the way to keep the world safe from democracy! :rolleyes:

Earlier this year the security staff at MSP about wet themselves when they saw I had (gasp) a bag of water in my carry on. Unfortunately, it was only a large apple. Queue the pat down, step over here please...That's the way to keep the world safe from democracy! :rolleyes:

The apple was domestic of course?

A relative who is in the US Army recently told me he had to fly a commercial airline with his full gear including his weapon. When it arrived at the security point they made him take off his boots to make sure he wasn't carrying any weapons in his shoes.
Needless to say he was a little dumbfounded by this act because on his shoulder was a fully loaded assault rifle and a service revolver on his hip.
:bonk:
He was told it was procedure...

How was he able to carry the weapons onboard? I thought they had to be empty and checked as baggage? Do military have other rules?

Might have been escorting a prisoner, or was acting as a courier, or some other official duty the required the bearing of arms.

I'll guarantee he had something offical and from someone a few paygrades above the TSA people.

It could also be he was flying a commercial airline as a charter that departed from a regular airport. A friend of mine worked as a mechanic for ATA and did several flights in/out of the middle east. He said it was very strange to see the overheads filled with weapons.

I've also heard of incidents of Federal Flight Deck Officers (pilots qualified to carry guns) having to go through the same.

I can see a positive side to making everyone go through the same routine - it makes it easier for the screeners. Kind of like seeing a 75 year old man get carded in a bar. Yes it looks stupid, but it also reduces the chance of a 19 year old that looks 30 getting missed.

The only security measures enacted in the last six years that do any good are fortified cockpit doors and the attitude of passengers to fight back. The rest has been a huge waste of tax dollars.

The apple was domestic of course?

Of course! All sorts of great jokes about the wicked stepmother from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs went through my head, but remained unstated.

...
I can see a positive side to making everyone go through the same routine - it makes it easier for the screeners. Kind of like seeing a 75 year old man get carded in a bar. Yes it looks stupid, but it also reduces the chance of a 19 year old that looks 30 getting missed.




Totally disagree. It is still stupid...



The only security measures enacted in the last six years that do any good are fortified cockpit doors and the attitude of passengers to fight back. The rest has been a huge waste of tax dollars.


Totally AGREE! Most of the rest is foolishness and ineffective.

A couple weeks ago, my flight was canceled due to weather. 60 people had to overnight. We were issued new tickets, one way, with limited documentation. Obviously, that made all our tickets subject to TSA hand searches, because we matche dtheir criteria. They spent 10 minutes opening every container in my suitcase. Did 8 residue swabs for explosive powder (that part made sense). I commented that the cause for 1 way ticket was the flight cancelation. He grunted. When he finished, I said there will be 50 more of us, they might need to assign a couple more TSA agents, cuz people would start missing their flights. The a**hole replied that people need to come on time, that's not his fault.

I wanted to say, "A**hole, do the math! 50 people at 10 minutes each is 4 hours of TSA searches!" You're going to make most miss their flights. But, I said nothing because I did not want to be arrested...

Totally AGREE! Most of the rest is foolishness and ineffective.

A couple weeks ago, my flight was canceled due to weather. 60 people had to overnight. We were issued new tickets, one way, with limited documentation. Obviously, that made all our tickets subject to TSA hand searches, because we matche dtheir criteria. <snip>..

I would blame the airline on that. They have the ability to override the SSSS marking on your new boarding pass. It was probably an agent that did not want to bother modifying 50 boarding passes manually. Screeners have to follow the SOP even if it is stupid. It is the management of DHS and TSA that are writing the stupid SOPs.

I had it happen one time when I missed a flight, but I was already behind security on my original boarding pass. The new one printed with SSSS and I did not leave security, so I did not get the special secret stamp to override it. As I understand it, the gate agent should have called TSA to screen me at the gate (stupid) or made me exit the sterile area (even more stupid, as I could have hid my bomb/gun/shampoo earlier). Thankfully she was smart enough to wave me down the jetway.

I always am "randomly" picked "SSSS" in the States but what I notice is that every airport treats me different. Some stamp the boarding pass, some put holes some do nothing.....
Leaving tonight, lets see what happens this time.

I wanted to say, "A**hole, do the math! 50 people at 10 minutes each is 4 hours of TSA searches!" You're going to make most miss their flights. But, I said nothing because I did not want to be arrested...
I always forget that you must say Yes and No and nothing else!!!

Friends,

DO's and DON'T's While Flying?

Here are two simple conclusions:

DO expect to (eventually) get to your intended destination. :yes:
DON'T expect anything else. :nope: Otherwise, you will be terribly disappointed...

Stijloor.

Friends,

DO's and DON'T's While Flying?

Here are two simple conclusions:

DO expect to (eventually) get to your intended destination. :yes:
DON'T expect anything else. :nope: Otherwise, you will be terribly disappointed...

Stijloor.

Thats a good answer :applause:

I always am "randomly" picked "SSSS" in the States but what I notice is that every airport treats me different. Some stamp the boarding pass, some put holes some do nothing.....
Leaving tonight, lets see what happens this time.


I always forget that you must say Yes and No and nothing else!!!

Didn't you know that people with the name Howard are automatically suspect?

Didn't you know that people with the name Howard are automatically suspect?Based on my recent experiences, the most likely targets for "random" search are old guys like me who need help getting their shoes off and on. I don't think they believe I'm a threat, they just like to watch me struggle!;)

When I was new to China, I was going through Pudong airport (Shanghai).

While boarding the airplane, my eyes were going through the architectural marvel of the airport and I was looking back and forth ........ within the next few minutes I was summoned and they searched me and all my bags :mad:

I asked what made them pick me, they said its a random check. :confused:

No skimpy outfits.

Woman is led off Southwest flight for wearing skimpy outfit (http://www.sacbee.com/114/story/366989.html)

SAN DIEGO -- A 23-year-old woman who boarded a Southwest Airlines plane in a short skirt for a flight to Tucson, Ariz., says she was led off the plane for an outfit that was considered too skimpy.

Kyla Ebbert said a Southwest employee asked her to leave her seat while the plane was preparing to leave San Diego's Lindbergh Field July 3.

Ebbert, a student in San Diego who was headed to Tucson for a doctor's appointment, said Friday on NBC's "Today" show that the employee told her she would have to catch a later flight.

"You're dressed inappropriately. This is a family airline. You're too provocative to fly on this plane," she quoted the employee saying.

"I said, 'What part is it? The shirt? The skirt? Which part?' And he said the whole thing."

Ebbert was eventually allowed back on the plane after offering to adjust her sweater but said she was humiliated and embarrassed.

"I felt like everybody was staring me. They had all heard him lecturing me," she told "Today" show host Matt Lauer. She appeared on the show in the same short white skirt, white shirt and green sweater that she said she wore on the flight.

A spokesman for the Dallas-based airline, Chris Mainz, said a customer service supervisor asked Ebbert to leave the plane and addressed her in the walkway leading back to the terminal, "away from the other customers."

The employee felt the outfit "revealed too much" but was placated after Ebbert made adjustments that included covering her stomach, Mainz said.

Didn't you know that people with the name Howard are automatically suspect?

Went through JFK this morning very easily, I even got compliments from INS that if everyone was from England this would go much faster!!!!

In Israel where I have lived for 27 years the 23 year old security inspector wanted to know where I learned to speak Hebrew.

Do not expect air staff to be comprehensive regardless of your situation.
Do expect delays specially with connection flights.
Do expect changes in terminals.
Do not carry more than a bag if possible, make life easier.
Do plan agenda very well before booking flights, stretch the schedule.

If is was really dangerous to be out of your seat, would the flight attendants be up pushing around carts full of projectiles?I once saw two attendants and a fully loaded beverage cart apparently levitate about 18" off the floor for about a second before returning to ground with a tremendous crash. This was at 30k feet and cruising flat. They performed this stunt again before the got the cart stowed. I haven't taken my belt off on a plane since unless absolutely necessary.
DO...keep strapped in while in flight.
Totally AGREE! Most of the rest is foolishness and ineffective. A couple weeks ago, my flight was canceled due to weather. 60 people had to overnight. We were issued new tickets, one way, with limited documentation.A few years back, I had a flight out of Cody, Wyoming at 6AM. The airline called at 11:30PM the night before and let me know that the 6AM flight would be canceled due to heavy snow. (No kidding?! I almost drove off a cliff on a snowmobile in Yellowstone about 5 hours ago.) Would I like to book on the noon flight? Ooops, that's full now. Do you want to leave from Billings, Montana at 6AM? Since it's a 3 hour drive in good weather, we set out immediately and arrived at the Billings airport at 4 AM. Due to the "last minute booking", my son (10 year-old) and I were subjected to the full screening. I wondered (silently, to myself) where all the security was when I walked through the front door, through the detectors, and out to the gate before returning to sleep on the floor in front of the ticket counter at 4:15AM. They finally gave us our shoes back and let us go when my son started crying and begging not to be put in prison. Meanwhile, at least 3 characters that stood out, in Billings, MT, well, like a palm tree in Billings, MT, waltzed right through the checkpoint.
DO...always arrive really early.
Didn't you know that people with the name Howard are automatically suspect?Someone who shares (at least part of) my name has made the No-Fly List. I can no longer check in on line or be issued boarding passes anywhere but the counter with a live human being to check my passport.
DO...carry good ID. Get a passport and use it.