Re: Flying after \"exploding flashlight\" incident
Lightraven,
I need to type faster.
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Brightnorm said:
Sub,
If you have any tips or advice please post them....
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My pleasure. I used to fly a lot when I was younger. Flying in and out of Third World countries made me kind of twitchy on this subject. These tips I've gathered are pretty much for all types of planes but for some it will be obvious it it's for big ones or little ones. I'm sure that by the end of this, some of you will be sure that I'm really nuts.
1.__ Look at a map of the terrain your flight will cover. Dress for the most inhospitable place on the route. If you'll be flying over mountains and snow on your way into LA, wear a goose down parka over your suit -- if you have to wear a suit. Think about what you may need to get you out or to keep you alive while you wait for help. Just a little bit can mean the difference between life and death, especially here in the States where you can be sure that help will be mobilizing right away. It would be a shame to freeze to death in the two hours it takes to get to you, as an example. Of course, you may be killed on impact. But what if you weren't?
I'd want a big hat if I was crossing the desert and a way to cover my skin. I might even put lip balm in my pocket. Feeling prepared is an important aspect to survival.
Anyway, think about what you should be wearing if you were to crash at the worst point on your route. That's where it will happen.
2.__ When you go to your seat in a jet, count the number of rows of seats between you and the nearest exits, both fore and aft. Quite a few deaths have occurred on the ground, while the plane was on fire. Believe it or not, 10% of passengers are so stupid that they will fish around for their bag in the overhead compartment and block the isle for everyone else while the plane is being evaced! You may not be able to see for smoke. <Heresy!>DO NOT PULL OUT YOUR LIGHT! There isn't time and from here on in you'll probably need both hands if you're going to get out alive.</Heresy!> If you can't get to the isle or the line stops for any reason you must act quickly. Go right over the seat-backs to the nearest exit, and get out! You will know how many seats you'll have to cross if you counted them when you got onto the plane. Traveling with family? Your kids would probably love this game if you prepared them for it before flight day. Give them code words for which way to go in an emergency.
3.__ No matter how long the flight is, never take off your shoes! No matter what mis-adventure strikes your flight you'll need your shoes. SEE item #1. Even if it's just a wussy evac on ground because of a false alarm, you'll wish you could have found your shoes before your bare feet hit the 145 degree tarmac of that Mombasa Airport runway.
4.__ No matter how long the flight is, never take off your seat-belt! If you are to have a chance of surviving anything you must remain as intact as possible. Broken bones and concussion from being throw all round the craft will put you at a disadvantage when it's time to evac -- let alone whatever must follow. Preserve yourself. I won't even dwell on explosive decompression -- which usually only kill those without their belts buckled. On long flights just loosen your belt a little when you need to sleep. It's a drag, I know, but wouldn't your kids like to see their dad again?
5.__ Don't let yourself be separated from the things that you will need if you crash. If you need a parka, don't fold it up and put it on an empty seat next to you. Un-zip it. Slip it off your shoulders and sit on it. Tie the waist drawstring of the parka to your belt when you go to sleep. Don't have a belt? You're gonna die. Just kidding. Even trivial airplane mishaps can happen very quickly and can instantly separate you from your gear. Try to keep that from happening.
6.__ If you need any meds they should be in your pocket. Enough for 4-7 days, and not just the duration of the flight. All of your other precautions will be for naught if you don't have your 'mission critical' meds.
7.__ Don't get drunk. Try to stay hydrated. You may need it.
These rules all apply to wacky helicopter day tours, etc. If you fly out of Quito, Equador over alpine mountains on a three hour tour in your shorts and there's any kind of mishap, you will be at fault more than anyone else if you die from exposure. A three hour tour....
That's all I can think of for now, but I know there's more. I'm sure that some will identify with this.