Aviation safety experts are trying to drive
a crucial message home to travelers — one that can literally mean the
difference between life and death: Don’t stop to grab your belongings during an
onboard emergency.
The International
Air Transport Association (IATA) recently launched a new safety campaign
called Save
a Life, Not a Bag, an initiative aimed at discouraging flyers from taking
carry-on luggage, filming videos or otherwise delaying an aircraft evacuation.
The awareness campaign
is backed by both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). It was created in response to mounting online
evidence (such as social media posts) that airline passengers are ignoring safety
demonstrations and crewmembers’ instructions during actual emergencies by
stopping to collect their bags from overhead compartments, filming or taking
photos of the incidents with their phones.
"Taking bags
during an evacuation is not a minor issue. Every second matters. Even taking
one bag can affect the safe evacuation of everyone onboard. Crew instructions
are clear and simple: leave everything behind and move quickly. “Save a Life,
Not a Bag” is a message that passengers need to understand and act upon," Willie
Walsh, IATA's Director General, said in the organization’s press
release.
Why It Matters
Retrieving
belongings during an evacuation can create dangerous roadblocks and put other
passengers at risk. Carrying baggage can also create trip hazards for others
trying to make their way down the cabin aisles, get caught on seats or
fixtures, obscure exit path lighting and puncture the inflatable slides used to
exit the aircraft. IATA even said that some travelers have been spotted trying
to evacuate while carrying infants, along with their bags and other items. Essentially,
one person pausing to retrieve a carry-on item endangers everyone else and can
also compromise emergency exits.
“We are seeing an
increasing number of passengers not following flight crew instructions during
emergencies. In those moments, compliance is critical. Passengers must act
quickly, follow instructions without hesitation, and leave all belongings
behind. Safety is a shared responsibility, and informed, attentive passengers
help ensure a faster, safer evacuation for everyone on board,” said FAA
Administrator Bryan Bedford.
Research Reveals
Problems
To better
understand passenger behavior, IATA surveyed recent travelers in four representative
markets: the United States (U.S.), United Kingdom (U.K.), United Arab Emirates
(UAE) and Singapore.
The results
revealed several issues:
- While 80 percent of respondents said
they know what to do during an evacuation, only 61 percent correctly said
they should leave all personal belongings behind.
- One in 10 admitted they might still
take baggage with them or follow other passengers who do so.
- Just 18 percent knew that aircraft
evacuation procedures are designed around a 90-second benchmark.
- 22 percent of travelers who had seen
reports of passengers taking luggage during evacuations said they would
likely do the same.
One important finding
from the research was that passengers are less likely to grab bags if important
items are already on their person. As a result, IATA recommends keeping
essentials such as passports, medications, money and keys easily accessible
before takeoff and landing.
Key Points to
Remember
As part of the
campaign, IATA is encouraging travelers to remember six key safety behaviors
during an evacuation:
- Listen carefully to cabin crew and
follow instructions immediately.
- Leave all baggage and personal
belongings behind.
- Don't pause to take photos or record
video.
- Keep moving quickly so that aisles and
exits remain clear.
- Never bring bags onto evacuation
slides.
- Keep critical items such as
medications, passports and keys on your person whenever possible.
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