Emergency doors on planes...

Mr WibbleWobble · 20-08-2008 08:30PM #1

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 · 20-08-2008 08:33PM

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.

20-08-2008 08:35PM

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 · 20-08-2008 08:36PM

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 · 20-08-2008 08:39PM

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 · 20-08-2008 08:40PM

Heres an interesting article on this subject:

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

Adam · 20-08-2008 08:40PM

Atari Jaguar tbh

20-08-2008 08:41PM

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 · 20-08-2008 08:41PM

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 · 20-08-2008 08:49PM

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 · 20-08-2008 08:49PM

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 · 20-08-2008 08:51PM

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 · 20-08-2008 08:55PM

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 · 20-08-2008 08:56PM

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 · 20-08-2008 09:03PM

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 · 20-08-2008 09:15PM

OPENROAD wrote: »

What airline do you fly with it?

Ryanair :eek:

OPENROAD · 20-08-2008 09:28PM

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 · 20-08-2008 09:39PM

Safety first. Spread the word

20-08-2008 09:42PM

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 · 20-08-2008 09:56PM

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 · 20-08-2008 09:57PM

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 · 20-08-2008 10:05PM

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 · 20-08-2008 10:10PM

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 · 20-08-2008 10:21PM

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 · 20-08-2008 10:31PM

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 · 20-08-2008 10:37PM

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! · 20-08-2008 10:38PM

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 · 20-08-2008 10:55PM

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.

20-08-2008 10:56PM

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 · 20-08-2008 10:57PM

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 · 20-08-2008 11:04PM

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.

Emergency doors on planes...

Vet them? 32 votes

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