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Passenger Safety Information
· Review the passenger safety card before takeoff and landing. · Listen carefully to the safety briefing. · Be able to locate emergency exits both in front and behind you. Count the rows between you and the nearest front and rear exits. · Locate the flotation device. · Make a mental plan of action in case of emergency. Turbulence Turbulence happens and much of it is unpredicted. And when it does happen, adults and children who are not buckled up can be seriously injured. · Wear your seat belt at all times, turbulence is not always predictable. · Make sure your seat belt is secured snugly and low across the hips. · In non-fatal accidents, in-flight turbulence is the leading cause of injuries to airline passengers and flight attendants. · Each year, approximately 58 airline passengers in the United States are injured by turbulence while not wearing their seat belts. · From 1981 through December 1997, there were 342 reports of turbulence affecting major air carriers. As a result, three passengers died, 80 suffered serious injuries and 769 received minor injuries. · At least two of the three fatalities involved passengers who were not wearing their seat belts while the seat belt sign was illuminated. · Of the 80 passengers who were seriously injured, approximately 73 were not wearing their seat belts while the seat belt sign was illuminated. · Generally, two-thirds of turbulence-related accidents occur at or above 30,000 feet. In 1997, about half of the accidents occurred above 30,000 feet. Child Safety Seats · FAA strongly recommends the use child safety seats for children under 40 lbs. It is important to check with the airline to see if the child seat will fit the width of the airline seat. While airline seats vary in width, a safety seat no wider than 16" in width should fit most coach seats. · Ask about discount fares for children under two travelling in a safety seat. · Purchasing a discounted seat for your child is the only way to guarantee you will be able use a safety seat. · Ask about the airlines busiest travel times. Avoiding these times makes it more likely you will have an empty seat next to you. In many cases, airlines will allow you to place your child, infant or toddler in an empty seat next to you. · Children under 20 lbs should be in a rear-facing seat. · From 20-40 lbs use a forward-facing seat. · Place the infant seat in the window seat. · Ask airlines to arrange for assistance in making connections when traveling with children and a child safety seat. · Infant seats should not be placed in an aisle seat. Exit Row Seating · You must be physically capable and willing to perform emergency actions when seated in emergency or exit rows. If you are not, ask for another seat. · Thoroughly familiarize yourself with the emergency evacuation techniques outlined on the written safety instructions. Ask questions if instructions are unclear. Cellular Phones, Laptops and Computer Games · The FCC and FAA ban cell phones for airborne use because its signals could interfere with critical aircraft instruments. Radios and televisions are also prohibited. · Laptops and other personal electronic devices (PEDs) such as hand-held computer games and tape or CD players are also restricted to use above 10,000 feet owing to concerns they could interfere with aircraft instrumentation. Unruly Passengers · Interference with the duties of any crewmember is a violation of federal law. · Fines could range up to $25,000 per violation in addition to criminal penalties. · The FBI, federal enforcement agencies, airlines, crewmembers and FAA have combined to vigorously pursue prosecution, which has resulted in imprisonment. Fire or Smoke · Use wet napkin or handkerchief over nose and mouth. · Move away from fire and smoke. · Stay low. Evacuation · LEAVE YOUR POSSESSIONS BEHIND. · Stay low. · Proceed to the nearest front or rear exit – count the rows between your seat and the exits. · Follow floor lighting to exit. · Jump feet first onto evacuation slide. Don’t sit down to slide. Place arms across your chest, elbows in, and legs and feet together. Remove high-heeled shoes. · Exit the aircraft and clear the area. · Remain alert for emergency vehicles. · NEVER RETURN TO A BURNING AIRCRAFT. |