Posted on 09/19/2001 5:24:47 PM PDT by StormEye
I fly alot but never with joy...Now it wil be with terror!
Rest easy! The element of surpise is gone! If (hopefully not when) we have another major terrorist event, it will not involve the airlines! I could envision other targets but will not due to my stomach churning at the thought!
Can't be to careful, I suppose.
If you do have to fly here are some items to think about.
When you get yor ticket, get a seat near an exit. The ticket agent can assist on which seats these are. The wings contain the fuel so if there is a crash or accident you may not want to be near the wing seats. The tail is usually the only thing left in a crash, so a seat here may offer better survival
When you get on the plane, listen to the evacuation info and know where ALL the exits are. Count the number of rows from your seat to each exit, you may have to crawl on your knees in heavy smoke and you'll want to know where to look for the emergency exit. There is a lighted strip on the floor of most aircraft to follow to an exit.
Wear heavy pants like jeans and sturdy shoes. Wear long sleeve shirts and have a jacket handy if you have to deplane in an area with cold weather or rain. DO NOT wear anything flammable like polyester. You may have to crawl over sharp metal to escape and you don't need to be in shorts or sandals.
Buy one of the emergency escape smoke hoods so you can survive in a smoke filled cabin. Most of of the people who die in aircraft fires die from smoke inhalation. If you're not the first person out the exit you will be probably crawling on your knees to avoid the toxic smoke.
Right now you cannot carry ANY knives or cutting tools on an aircraft. Carry ball point pens to use if attacked or against a hijacker. A pen jammed into someone's eye will disable them immediately. Our pilots have changed their hijacking precedures and now will defend their cockpits.
Pilots have already asked people in the cabin to fight any takeover attempt. The pilot's also can manuever the aircraft to throw someone of balance. Think air turbulence and the last time you almost got flipped over a seat. You can also use car keys to the eyes, fingernails and knee to the groin etc.
Report anyone or anything who raises your suspicion. DO NOT think someone else will do it or that it might embarrass yourself. Better safe than sorry here.
Get to the airport as early as you can, FAA is advising 3 hours for domestic and 4 hours for International flights. I would get there earlier and plan on being fexible. Above all, have patience.
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