"Turmoil at 30,000 Feet: Unraveling the Dangers of Air Travel”
And 5 tips that might save your life
I’m always amazed when I fly commercially, (especially during the holidays) and the things I see during these travels.
A little about myself. Since 1997, I have been a traveling aircraft mechanic/technician who travels the country working on various airplanes. Doing so requires lots of traveling for sure, but it is usually during the holidays that I see the craziest behaviors.
For instance, I just watched a female traveler, in her late 40’s maybe early 50s, get into a shouting match with a gate agent (airline name withheld) because the flight was full and she had been “bumped” to a later flight.
Now I fully understand the frustration of missing a flight, especially one booked and paid for in advance. However, that lady could have avoided a lot of the issues by remaining calm and respectful. She chose otherwise, and now will be spending Christmas Eve night in the DFW Airport and was very close to spending it in the Dallas jail.
Regardless of the situation that arises, you will never win an argument with a gate agent. Especially during the holidays when stress is at its highest and the employees of these airlines are working crazy hours, shifts, and schedules.
And yet here is the crazy part that no one mentions..
Dress for Airline travel as you would if you were going out to fight a wildfire, do not dress as if you were going to the beach or day spa.. let me explain.
Flying is still by far the safest way to travel, yet the risk for an incident or mishap is at its highest during peak holiday travel. This is when everyone in the Aviation industry is experiencing the most stress. Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers, Gate Agents, and Flight Attendants are working crazy schedules and long hours, and this is a recipe for mishap always, however in the event you do experience an aircraft mishap, whether it is a Runway excursion, running into airport service vehicles or aircraft during taxiing, or a full blown crash, if the incident is survivable you will increase your chances of escaping a crashed and/or burning aircraft 1000%+ by just adhering to this dress code and principles.
1). No open-toed shoes or heels.
2). Do not wear Pantyhose.
3). No facial makeup.
4). Do not use hair spray or other similar products.
5). Wear denim or tougher material on the lower body, and long sleeves for the upper.
I’ll explain these 5 as I consider them some of the most important.
Let’s face it…
Unless you crash from a high altitude where no one survives, most other aircraft mishaps are survivable.
However…
There is a great chance that your aircraft will be on fire!
The last thing you need to be wearing if you are trying to escape a BURNING aircraft is highly flammable products.
Think of the aircraft as you would an aluminum soda can. That is what it is, albeit a couple of times thicker..
Have you ever tossed an empty soda can in a fire?
If you have, you would’ve seen what an aircraft on fire resembles..
And the reality is, you are in a burning tube, with 4 to 6 exits available for up to 300+ passengers and flight crew.
And you only have a minute or two max to escape!
How do I claim that?
How long can you hold your breath?
Not underwater, but in a burning, smoke-filled tube, with people screaming, coughing, and dying right in front of you.
Because that is the reality of what will be happening.
Now imagine that you are wearing open-toed sandals as a 240lb man stomps on them as he is trying to escape..
Or wearing pantyhose that have melted to your legs..
Or picture what it’ll be like trying to find your way out while blinded with black smoke and fumes, as your hair is on fire because you dumped copious amounts of flammable hair products on it…
The scenarios and examples are endless but I hope this will provide an example of what problems wearing those items will cause you.
Now it wouldn’t be prudent of me to not list what I think you should be wearing, and carrying on you during air travel..
I personally carry a backpack with me, one that is small enough to fit between your legs and stowable under the seat in front of you. I carry the LL Bean Co. 3-day pack carried by the Maine Dept of Wildlife and Resources, due to its durability, ease of access, and quality of zippers.
In the top of this pack, that is easily accessible, I carry a pair of Mechanix work gloves that I can put on in a few seconds
You are going to need your hands to get out of this. Hands that will be cut and burnt if left unprotected..
Now, grab you a pair of smoke goggles. You can get them cheap online.
Even better is a Smoke Hood, formally named an EEBD or Emergency Escape Breathing Device. It is simple to use, pull out of the bag, pull the activation cord, and Don the hood over your head, this will keep the smoke and fumes out of your eyes and nose, plus give you approximately 15 minutes of oxygen. However, check with the airline to make sure you are allowed to carry it on board in the cabin.
This is what will save your life. If you stand up and take a breath of aviation jet fuel smoke, you are going to immediately collapse and then you will probably be trampled to death. That’s the reality when a panicked crowd tries to escape a burning tube.
Trust me, this is what the pilots are carrying in the cockpit. If they think they need it, then so do you..
Now one of the last things I recommend is some shoes/boots with a composite safety toe. These are lightweight and comfortable and will protect your feet from being crushed. Imagine a 40-pound suitcase falling from an overhead bin and landing on your foot.
Think that will slow you down?
It could very well end your chances of escape for sure. So ditch the flip-flops and sandals, and get yourself some protection for those feet.
Just like your hands, you will need your feet to escape this aircraft. So protect them!
I hope this will help some readers understand the dangers and risks of flying.
Thank you for reading! If you have found value in this story please clap loudly and often 😎 Please respond with any tips, critiques, or suggestions that will be greatly appreciated. I am learning every day.
Scott Wood
The Airplane Guy