Emergency doors on planes...

Mr WibbleWobble

I was having a bit of a chin wag with the OH there and he brought up a recent holiday we were on and the flight; in light of today’s crash in Spain.
Do you think the seats near the emergency doors should be vetted? On our last flight we noticed that the people running for these seats didn't look like the types you would want to open those doors in an emergency. More like the types you would have to slap around the face a few times to get them to calm down.

If you want those seats should there be a vetting process after check in?
Or should the plane staff occupy them?

People’s lives may depend on it! Mine more importantly!

FlutterinBantam

They are vetted to a certain extent, people sitting there should be approved and briefed by the cabin staff as to how to act in an emergency.

Black Swan

How would you vet them? Who would? Qualifications to vet? Because I like the additional leg room on long flights, I'm one of those people that tries to get one of those seats. How are you going to qualify or disqualify me? I can almost recite the nonsense they tell us regarding those seats, but am I really qualified by a few words to act appropriately should an emergency occur?

Mr WibbleWobble

Blue_Lagoon wrote: »

How would you vet them? Who would? Qualifications to vet? Background checks would be absurd and not realistic? Because I like the additional leg room on long flights, I'm one of those people that tries to get one of those seats. How are you going to qualify or disqualify me?

Could you open the door if you were trained? I meant to mention more training for those wanting to sit there! Dang!

Run_to_da_hills

It freaks me out when I see disabled, families with kids and the elderly occupying these seats. They should be chozen for a certain group, left vacant or kept for cabin crew.

Overflow

Heres an interesting article on this subject:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article4214998.ece

Adam

Atari Jaguar tbh

Black Swan

Mr WibbleWobble wrote: »

Could you open the door if you were trained? I meant to mention more training for those wanting to sit there! Dang!

I'm into two sports and athletic, but I have never opened such a door in real life, so who's to know? Now, if I actually had practice, rather than words, then perhaps.

ejmaztec

Mr WibbleWobble wrote: »

I was having a bit of a chin wag with the OH there and he brought up a recent holiday we were on and the flight; in light of today’s crash in Spain.
Do you think the seats near the emergency doors should be vetted? On our last flight we noticed that the people running for these seats didn't look like the types you would want to open those doors in an emergency. More like the types you would have to slap around the face a few times to get them to calm down.

If you want those seats should there be a vetting process after check in?
Or should the plane staff occupy them?

People’s lives may depend on it! Mine more importantly!

How'd you know that they might want a good slapping? Some of these people turn into super-heroes in a crisis, whilst the previously calm looking ones fill their gussets with abject fear.

Mr WibbleWobble

Blue_Lagoon wrote: »

I'm into two sports and athletic, but I have never opened such a door in real life, so who's to know?

The point is I or other people would not know but we would base it on seeing you. tbh I had you down for a chunky but if you are doing sport I'd say you would be OK and could handle the door.

ejmaztec wrote: »

How'd you know that they might want a good slapping? Some of these people turn into super-heroes in a crisis, whilst the previously calm looking ones fill their gussets with abject fear.

I am just basing it on nothing but first impressions, sure they could be super hero's and save us all but I am a man of probability. No need for anyone to chew me a new a$$hole, I am just wondering about something!

OPENROAD

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

It freaks me out when I see disabled, families with kids and the elderly occupying these seats. They should be chozen for a certain group, left vacant or kept for cabin crew.

What airline do you fly with it?

Ponster

I always thought they they were vetted ?

I've been on several Ryanair flights where families with young kids had the parent put by the window and on AA last year when a guy with a sling was moved from the emergency exit to a different seat.

FlutterinBantam

Of course they are vetted, a lot of the comment here is ill informed and not true.

Is it too difficult to operate a lever to open the door as an able bodied person ??

Ignore most of it.

ejmaztec

Mr WibbleWobble wrote: »

I am just basing it on nothing but first impressions, sure they could be super hero's and save us all but I am a man of probability. No need for anyone to chew me a new a$$hole, I am just wondering about something!

No need to throw a wibbleywobbley - chewing old or new arseholes is not my cup of tea.

cute_cow

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

It freaks me out when I see disabled, families with kids and the elderly occupying these seats. They should be chozen for a certain group, left vacant or kept for cabin crew.

I was assigned an emergency exit seat on an Aer Lingus flight back to Dublin by the check in girl, and once I sat down the air stewardess came to me and asked me to move as women were not allowed sit at these seats as they are not strong enough to open these doors should it be required!!

She asked me to swap with the person beside me, who I was travelling with me. He is smaller than me by 3 inches in height and about a stone lighter than I am!! And even he said that I was stronger than he was!!

Strange to think that I flew from Dublin in the emergency seat and no one said anything to me!

Run_to_da_hills

OPENROAD wrote: »

What airline do you fly with it?

Ryanair :eek:

OPENROAD

cute_cow wrote: »

I was assigned an emergency exit seat on an Aer Lingus flight back to Dublin by the check in girl, and once I sat down the air stewardess came to me and asked me to move as women were not allowed sit at these seats as they are not strong enough to open these doors should it be required!!

Very surprised by that, can't say that is something I have seen before. Flying bmi and if they operate the a321, a member of cabin crew sits oppsite passangers in a jump seat on emergency rows for take off and landing.

Mr WibbleWobble

Safety first. Spread the word

Black Swan

Mr WibbleWobble wrote: »

The point is I or other people would not know but we would base it on seeing you. tbh I had you down for a chunky but if you are doing sport I'd say you would be OK and could handle the door.

Chunky? LOL! Wonder what gave you that impression? Tall with long legs (why I like the leg room of these seats, as opposed to being treated like a sardine).

I've been on flights where the flight attendants have asked those with infants and young children to move from the emergency door seats. Even witnessed an argument between attendants and someone very obese, who finally moved but said they would lodge a complaint.

FlutterinBantam

Look everybody who flies is tall and has long legs, everybody wants the emergency exit row.

It's like Odlum's flour-never varies;)

Mr WibbleWobble

Blue_Lagoon wrote: »

Chunky? LOL! Wonder what gave you that impression? Tall with long legs (why I like the leg room of these seats, as opposed to being treated like a sardine).

I've been on flights where the flight attendants have asked those with infants and young children to move from the emergency door seats. Even witnessed an argument between attendants and someone very obese, who finally moved but said they would lodge a complaint.

You come across Chunky. You are your posts
Sorry.

slavetothegrind

The joys of aer lingus, you pays yer money and you're guaranteed your seat!

In fairness they always checked in my experience, albeit only about 8 flights in the last two years!!!!!

There's a lot to be said for continuing to be seated until they call your ticket group safe in the knowledge of your guaranteed seat.

Unlike the mass paniced queue Ryan"hawk-spit"air get as everyone fights to get a seat beside their family/friends.

Did you know there is a difference of i think 2 inches more between seats in Aer lingus versus Ryan"hawk-spit"air? Surely therein lies a safety gain?

Hard enough to extract yourself from a standard seat on landing nevermind in an emergency.

OPENROAD

joeclif wrote: »

There's a lot to be said for continuing to be seated until they call your ticket group safe in the knowledge of your guaranteed seat.

Don't think it applies to us though, I think it is an Irish thing but even when they board by seat numbers everyone still always makes a dash to gate and will try to board or stand right at the gate blocking everyone

slavetothegrind

OPENROAD wrote: »

Don't think it applies to us though, I think it is an Irish thing but even when they board by seat numbers everyone still always makes a dash to gate and will try to board or stand right at the gate blocking everyone

True for you! Maybe it's the race for handluggage space, they NEVER seem to enforce maximum sizes, fuppin rediculous what some people get away with!!!!

Have you noticed though since you are required to pay for the exit row there is generally a few free! Now i'm not overly tall at 6'2" but i sure am grateful for the room and gladly pay for it;)

cooperguy

The chances of you actually needing to use the exit is tiny though. And I dont mean that in a good way. In the entire history of Aviation only 1 jet crash landing in water had any survivors and then half the survivors of the actual crash drowned because they inflated their lifejackets inside the plane and got trapped.

Ciaran500

cooperguy wrote: »

The chances of you actually needing to use the exit is tiny though. And I dont mean that in a good way. In the entire history of Aviation only 1 jet crash landing in water had any survivors and then half the survivors of the actual crash drowned because they inflated their lifejackets inside the plane and got trapped.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ditching#Survivial_Rates_of_Passenger_Plane_Water_Ditchings

Fajitas!

I always go for the emergency seat - I'm 6 foot 4, so it helps a lot.

When I was flying back from NY recently, I got the emergency seat with Delta, and the staff asked me a few questions before letting me sit there - Would I help in an emergency, do I know how to open the door, can I help getting people out, etc.

bug

Yes they should be vetted.

i.e. able bodied under 35, and with no prior medical conditions. In the interest of H&S I think ageism can be overlooked.

And as Fajitas said, briefed.

joeclif wrote: »

The joys of aer lingus, you pays yer money and you're guaranteed your seat!

In fairness they always checked in my experience, albeit only about 8 flights in the last two years!!!!!

There's a lot to be said for continuing to be seated until they call your ticket group safe in the knowledge of your guaranteed seat.

Unlike the mass paniced queue Ryan"hawk-spit"air get as everyone fights to get a seat beside their family/friends.

Did you know there is a difference of i think 2 inches more between seats in Aer lingus versus Ryan"hawk-spit"air? Surely therein lies a safety gain?

Hard enough to extract yourself from a standard seat on landing nevermind in an emergency.

Yes but Aerlingus dont ensure everyone is quiet like Ryanair do while they are doing the emergency demo.
Recently on a flight to Italy the head stewardess went balistic until people listened and watched the staff doing the demo.
"it's for your benefit, not ours", and it was duly appreciated by me. Ryanair also make doubly sure that no one puts any baggage in the way including coats in the emergency exit area.

I did the "Air safety awareness" (I think that was what it was called) course a few years ago at Heathrow airport, in a "planned emergency" the person next to the emergency exit needs to be agile enough to assist cabin crew in opening the door and help others out of the aircraft.

OPENROAD

cooperguy wrote: »

The chances of you actually needing to use the exit is tiny though. And I dont mean that in a good way. In the entire history of Aviation only 1 jet crash landing in water had any survivors and then half the survivors of the actual crash drowned because they inflated their lifejackets inside the plane and got trapped.

Not all crashes are on water though always important to count the number of seats in front and behind you to an exit. And yes it is important that emergency doors can be opened quickly, one incident that springs to mind is the Aer France crash in Canada a few years ago.

Bluetonic

Mr WibbleWobble wrote: »

I was having a bit of a chin wag with the OH there and he brought up a recent holiday we were on and the flight; in light of today’s crash in Spain.
Do you think the seats near the emergency doors should be vetted?

Explain how vetting would have helped todays victims? Do people sitting close to the door in a car crash manage to get out quickly?

200 mph, ladened with fuel, 200ft drop, cop on.

Theres a good girl.

bug

OPENROAD wrote: »

Not all crashes are on water though always important to count the number of seats in front and behind you to an exit.

Very good! Must remember that!

Actually come to think of it, most of the recent near misses and accidents I recall in the media have happened near the runway.

Bluetonic

OPENROAD wrote: »

Not all crashes are on water though always important to count the number of seats in front and behind you to an exit.

Clap Clap.

If you are lucky enough to survive the impact the cabin will most likely be filled with smoke, counting the rows will assist in your exit in the dark. Failing that just head for the massive hole in the fuselage.

Bluetonic

Bluetonic wrote: »

Explain how vetting would have helped todays victims? Do people sitting close to the door in a car crash manage to get out quickly?

200 mph, ladened with fuel, 200ft drop, cop on.

Theres a good girl.

In an unplanned emergency like today's crash, it didn't matter, no time for anybody to do anything!
If something happened at 10,000m and the aircraft "glided" to a safe spot to do an emergency landing, then having the right people sitting near the exits can save lives!

Ricky91t

Fajitas! wrote: »

I always go for the emergency seat - I'm 6 foot 4, so it helps a lot.

Im the exact same as that if iv got a choice id happily sit there and wouldn't put other peoples lives at risk cause im nervous or scared
If i dont sit there my knees end up getting pressed against the seat infront of me and when the idiot there decided its time to recline i get very annoyed

Bluetonic

Bluetonic wrote: »

Clap Clap.

If you are lucky enough to survive the impact the cabin will most likely be filled with smoke, counting the rows will assist in your exit in the dark. Failing that just head for the massive hole in the fuselage.

If you do up your seatbelt properly*, you have a chance of being conscious and actually getting up & out.


*sit upright and pull it tight the G forces at impact are greater than those of a car crash!

bug

Bluetonic wrote: »

Explain how vetting would have helped todays victims? Do people sitting close to the door in a car crash manage to get out quickly?

200 mph, ladened with fuel, 200ft drop, cop on.

Theres a good girl.

How can you compare a car crash to a plane crash.. in any way..

What are you, Aircrash investigation?

Bluetonic

Deleted User wrote: »

In an unplanned emergency like today's crash, it didn't matter, no time for anybody to do anything!
If something happened at 10,000m and the aircraft "glided" to a safe spot to do an emergency landing, then having the right people sitting near the exits can save lives!

Just how many deaths have been recorded when an aircraft has made an emergency landing and the 'wrong' people have been sitting near the exits?

'Would you all mind sitting down until this 'right' people opens the door for us all to exit safely please'

FFS the majority of people won't even sit whilst a plane taxis or sits at it's stand with the doors unopened, what chance is there that the 'right' people won't be swamped with 'wrong' people when lives are in danger.

Bluetonic

bug wrote: »

How can you compare a car crash to a plane crash.. in any way..

Oh look it's the end a sentence with two periods poster.

Bluetonic

Bluetonic wrote: »

'Would you all mind sitting down until this 'right' people opens the door for us all to exit safely please'

"tracy" can be very authorative, when she needs to be,
"GET BACK IN YOUR SEATS, NOW!!" if the one sitting next to the door is unwilling to help; they soon get shifted!

bug

Bluetonic wrote: »

Oh look it's the end a sentence with two periods poster.

Ok, so I'll rephrase the question for you.

What makes you think you can compare a car crash to a plane crash in any way?

Bluetonic

Deleted User wrote: »

"GET BACK IN YOUR SEATS, NOW!!" if the one sitting next to the door is unwilling to help they soon get shifted!

'Throw the door out the opening please sir'

Just as the door gets tossed back upon the baying mob.

The only thing that will be going out the 'window' is logic and the first guy sitting there.

OPENROAD

Bluetonic wrote: »

Just how many deaths have been recorded when an aircraft has made an emergency landing and the 'wrong' people have been sitting near the exits?

Well actually the type of passenger can make a difference, remember seeing a programme of two very similar incidents some years ago one was primarily made up of people off on holiday the other consisted primarily of frequent business travellers, lot more people goy out in the second incident.

Bluetonic

bug wrote: »

What makes you think you can compare a car crash to a plane crash in any way?

Having seen a plane crash into a car and not knowing who was to blame I've since referred to the incident as a plane crash on one hand, and a car crash on the other hand. Depends what mood takes me. Regardless of what I as a mere mortal call it they are comparative.

Bluetonic

OPENROAD wrote: »

Well actually the type of passenger can make a difference, remember seeing a programme of two very similar incidents some years ago one was primarily made up of people off on holiday the other consisted primarily of frequent business travellers, lot more people goy out in the second incident.

I remember the same, t'was a BA business flight if memory serves me correctly where the plane was evacuated quite efficiently.

Do you think all this division and sub division of types who may sit at the emergency exits will add to the cost of our flights? Surely all the decision making by the airline staff will only add to costs.

I'd rather take my chances.

I remember seeing a sticker on the rear window of a car which said "I'd rather be flying", the car had a crumpled front wing.

Someone had added to the sticker, "I bet you're glad you wern't".

bug

Bluetonic wrote: »

Having seen a plane crash into a car and not knowing who was to blame I've since referred to the incident as a plane crash on one hand, and a car crash on the other hand. Depends what mood takes me. Regardless of what I as a mere mortal call it they are comparative.

Bluetonic wrote: »

Explain how vetting would have helped todays victims? Do people sitting close to the door in a car crash manage to get out quickly?.

I'm sorry I didn't realise we were talking about a collision which involved a car and a plane. I didn't think you were either from you're post above. But however, you've witness it and I haven't.

And don't diss the dots.

Bluetonic

Really the flying is fine, it's the crashing you need to worry about.

meathstevie

For a starters look at the safety briefing card. It actually tells you in a couple of simple pictures how to pop the door. Rotate one lever/handle and put in a good shove is basicly the procedure. Any able bodied person should be well capable of doing this given that the fuselage or frame of the plane isn't too badly deformed on impact. These things are designed with the average person in mind, you don't have to be an SAS trooper to be able to open those doors.

Bluetonic

Bluetonic wrote: »

Do you think all this division and sub division of types who may sit at the emergency exits will add to the cost of our flights? Surely all the decision making by the airline staff will only add to costs.

I believe that it's a simple look by the check-in staff as to whether the person looks "suitable" to sit there (no mobility problems, children etc), if in doubt place them elsewhere on the plane.

Bluetonic

Those people look like their having a great time on the safety briefing card. Very multicultural they are too.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee.