In wake of yesterday’s emergency landing of a commercial plane in the US due to engine failure, airline workers are taking to social media to stress the importance of listening to airline safety procedures – even if you think you’ve heard it all before.
After a jet engine failed and partially exploded on Southwest Airlines Flight 1380, pilot and former Navy veteran Tammie Jo Shults had to make an emergency landing in Philadelphia. The blast from the explosion was so strong, at least one window had reportedly smashed resulting in one fatality. A female passenger was partially sucked through a smashed window.
However, the commentary of airline safety producers did not spring from this woman’s death.
Rather, it’s this selfie that passenger Marty Martinez took during the emergency which is gaining attention:
Bobby Laurie, a travel TV presenter who has previously worked on commercial cabin crews, took to twitter to note that almost everyone in this photo is wearing their oxygen masks incorrectly – that instead of just covering your mouth, it should cover both nose and mouth.
PEOPLE: Listen to your flight attendants! ALMOST EVERYONE in this photo from @SouthwestAir #SWA1380 today is wearing their mask WRONG. Put down the phone, stop with the selfies.. and LISTEN. **Cover your NOSE & MOUTH. #crewlife #psa #listen #travel #news #wn1380 pic.twitter.com/4b14lZulGm
— Bobby Laurie (@BobbyLaurie) April 17, 2018
While none of the passengers in this picture lost their lives, Laurie and other airline workers believe that if they had been at a different altitude or the cabin suddenly depressurised (as it could when a window’s been smashed), it could have been a very different story.
Marty’s picture has now been used as an example by airline workers of the importance of safety demonstrations.
I’ve done the safety demo about hundreds of times at work and each time I do it only half of the passengers look up and watch. Please people pay attention it’s very important information.
— Nicole Froehling (@ColyFroehling) April 18, 2018
And look, it’s true.
Those lucky enough to hop on a plane and travel the world frequently have watched these safety demos tens of times. We’re at least 99 per cent sure we know what to do so we either try and get some sleep, flick through magazines, or attempt to grab an Instagram of the view. Not even re-imagined flight demos seem to be doing the trick.
https://twitter.com/andrrea_marriie/status/986438481600761856
https://twitter.com/gbrockell/status/986676701018107904
https://twitter.com/gbrockell/status/986677037732712449
While, airline workers are stressing the need for passengers to pay attention to the safety demos, some passengers believe the mask needs an update.
They’re so tiny. This is a design flaw. https://t.co/20EuHv19lx
— Brandimena Cunk 😾 (@ItsTheBrandi) April 17, 2018
This is actually a very clear design problem.
You don’t expect people to “think” properly when their lives are threatened.
One solution to that is to have the masks with a nose shape in it to fit naturally on the Face. https://t.co/Uz30kb1odn
— Hosam Hassan (@Objective_Neo) April 17, 2018
However, airline workers explained the masks are designed in this way to suit every facial shape and size and they’re designed for children too.
While you can argue and debate about safety demonstrations, it’d suit well to watch it, really watch it.
