Everyone who’s been on a plane knows that passengers should leave their belongings behind during an emergency evacuation. However, this doesn’t mean that this rule is actually followed when an emergency occurs. A video of a recent plane evacuation has spread around Instagram, in which numerous passengers can be seen carrying bags with them.
Just a few days ago, American Airlines Flight AA3023 was evacuated after a wheel caught fire during departure. Many of those disembarking the plane carried their bags with them rather than leaving them on board. Sharing a video of this, Ben Watts, a flight instructor who posts on Instagram as @airlinepilotperformance, has hit out at those not following proper evacuation procedures.
Sharing footage of passengers exiting via an evacuation slide, some of whom carried their bags, Ben highlighted the three main reasons why this can cause problems.
The first is simply that it can delay the evacuation process, with people pausing to collect their belongings. This can slow not only the individuals themselves but also those around them and those working on the plane.
He then adds that bags and other personal items pose a risk of puncturing the emergency slide, which will severely impact the evacuation for other passengers.
It also creates difficulties for those evacuation with children, whether they are also carrying bags themselves or are surrounded by individuals who are.
In the caption of the post, Ben added: “This poses a real safety risk, and although all passengers and crew thankfully evacuated with only a minor injury reported in this incident, the potential for far more catastrophic consequences is very real.”
Commenters were quick to share their thoughts on the flight expert’s post, with one writing: “Maybe airlines should build trust with their passengers so we would believe we would ever get those bags back in a timely manner if we leave them.”
Sharing a similar thought, another added: “Honestly, it would be easier to convince people if airlines showed any level of accountability in taking care of people’s needs. Who wants to be away from home without an ID, money, medications, etc and have to rely on an airline to help you out?
“If we could be confident we would be taken care of people would more willing to listen. Even if there was transparency as to how your belongings would be reimbursed/collected/applied for in case of emergency in the seat pocket with a zipper pouch on a string for your wallet, phone and passport it might help.”
While a third argued: “Grabbing you bags while escaping a plane in fire is top level selfish.”