Posted on 07/08/2013 7:55:25 AM PDT by BenLurkin
When seconds can mean the difference between life and death in escaping an aircraft accident, it was startling to see so many photographs from the crash of Asiana Flight 214 at San Francisco International Airport of people carrying out bags, including roll aboards that must have come out of the overhead luggage bins. At least one man interviewed in the New York Times indicated that he grabbed his bags and then his child. In that order. All I can say is that it was very fortunate that the fire was slow to spread.
(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...
On US domestic flights, I have seen passengers to avoid the checked bag fees bring everything short of steamer trunks as carry on bags... some so heavy they have to get help to cram them into the overhead bins. I have yet to see any airline strictly enforce the carry on bag size rules. I have often thought that in a crash or even severe turbulence these bags could become lethal missiles. It is a miracle that more people weren’t killed in this crash especially if some nitwits were struggling to evacuate with their carry on bags.
And to use this opportunity to rant —
Airlines charge for checked bags, and lose them. And the TSA always wanting in your panties and bags ....
So people carry on instead. No Brainer.
Then there is a safety issue of these bags all over during passenger loading and unloading. And the ‘cabin door’ checking, where they take larger carry ons and put them some where. But they are stacked by the passenger entry door (with wheel chairs and baby strollers, etc.) to plug up things during loading and unloading.
Meanwhile, some ‘smart, seasoned’ travellers stash their carryon (carry on, not carrion) in the overhead up near the front, as they proceed to their seat in the back. This is very convenient for them, but a PITA for all else.
I consider this a recipe for disaster, caused by greedy airlines.
With this mindset of ‘protect your stuff’, and the ‘prepare for landing’ stress to get out of the plane — I would predict that people are thinking that Number 1 priority = get my bag!
So taking their bags is to be expected.
Not smart, not safe, but expected given the circumstances.
Is this deliberately intended to be a stupid question?
The bags were in the aisle, and had to be carried out to speed the exit from the plane.
Even the food from the pantry was in the aisle.
On US domestic flights, I have seen passengers to avoid the checked bag fees bring everything short of steamer trunks as carry on bags
>> “I dont see why anyone is making it an issue” <<
.
Because the world’s average IQ is headed down the same steep, slippery slope as freedom!
LOL! I think I heard that the Caucasians slid faster than the Koreans did. /s
What shocked me was hearing about the girl who survived the plane crash, only to be struck and killed by an emergency vehicle. Must have been the smoky runways, mixed with urgency to get to aircraft.
Grabbing your bag is a bad idea - you may believe there is time or that it won’t get in the way - Seriously stupid to worry about your bag in a crash - why - one word - JET FUEL
Would it be “rational” to leave the bags in the way?
They didn’t want to leave their wives behind!
I think they may not have known. The stewardess said the fire did not start until everyone left.
“Right. But the reason the people in back are not moving is because people in front are opening up the overhead bins and grabbing their bags. This is typical of the flight culture today. Me first. Let me cram as much stuff in my enormous suitcase and shove it in the overhead because I sure don’t want the hastle of checking my bag. And damn right I am going to retrieve my precious bag of clothes in a crash. Screw those people in back - let em roast. It’s like the scene in the Focker movie. People are nuts about their stupid bags.”
Totally agree. In an emergency situation you cannot exit as quickly with a big wheelie bag as you can without it. Even carrying a laptop will slow you down as you need to grab the handles before sliding down the slide. Even if you think you can get out safely, what about the people who are minutes behind you? This is a microcosm of the “I got mine” culture.
One time, I was walking down the street while an abulance was blaring its siren but all traffic was stopped. A few minutes later I arrived at the scene of the blockage ... a 70+ well-dressed man with his fashionable wife were slowly taking their time to park while the whole world behind them was stopped. The ambulance was probably two cars behind them. I chewed out the guy and his wife and they were utterly dumbfounded. He had the perfect parking spot right in front of the fancy restaurant and he wasn’t going to waste it getting out of the way of someone who might have been having a heart attack.
My only regret is not taking down his plate and calling a local reporter from his hometown.
After having served many years in Asia as a missionary, I would agree that the fatalism in the Asian culture does have something to do with this.
Still, at the beginning of each flight, passengers are instructed that in the case of emergency egress, carry-on items are to be left behind.
Carry-on items can become obstructions to orderly egress.
Igor (or is it Ee gor?)
“ OK, you take the red head and I’ll grab the blonde....”
>> “On US domestic flights, I have seen passengers to avoid the checked bag fees bring everything short of steamer trunks as carry on bags” <<
.
You haven’t flown for at least five years!
Nothing not designed for cabins is allowed beyond the counter.
I have never been charged for checking a bag. Yeah if you want to drag in a bunch of bags you will be charged. At some point it becomes freight and should be chargeable. I do agree the airlines are taking advantage of it to make money and it has safety ramifications. .
In any event when a plane crashes and catches fire - leave the clothes, PC, whatever and get the heck out. Those items can be easily replaced.
Girlfriends and paramours aren’t counted ...
From the photos it looked like the overhead bins had popped open during the crash spilling luggage everywhere.
You're not like all those other people.
Why not grab your bag and be on your way?
It doesn't take long to grab a bag and go. Usually the aisle is clogged by people who are apparently in no hurry so there is plenty of time to get a bag while waiting for the aisle to clear.
When the adrenaline starts flowing people go to rote routing, it’s what the brain knows how to do. And rote routine getting off a plane is to grab your stuff.
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