Aircraft Evacuation - Experiences and thoughts

[najaB]

Prompted by this video:

Description: Travelers were compelled to evacuate an American Airlines flight because of an event concerning the aircraft’s landing gear at Denver International Airport in Colorado on Saturday, July 26.

Has anyone had the experience of a potential or actual evacuation? One particularly infuriating thing in this video is how many people are taking their bags down the slide. In this case it doesn't appear to have caused any issues but there have been instances in the past where people grabbing bags have blocked evacuation routes and may well have cost lives.

Does anyone have a pouch/small bag that they keep on their person while flying so that the most important few documents/items (eg passport and smartphone) are safe in an evacuation rather than having to worry about taking your carry on?

 

[Cloud Strife]

Does anyone have a pouch/small bag that they keep on their person while flying so that the most important few documents/items (eg passport and smartphone) are safe in an evacuation rather than having to worry about taking your carry on?

Usually I fly with shorts or trousers that have additional pockets, so the most important things can go in them. I tend to carry a phone charger, my phone, my passport (if I'm going somewhere that needs one) and my wallet in them, so I wouldn't even think of taking my backpack during an evacuation. My wife on the other hand carries a very small bag with her documents and phone. It's pure lunacy to take a bag during an evacuation, unless it's a very small backpack that won't bother anyone.

I've often wondered why the overhead bins don't have locking mechanisms during takeoff and landing to avoid exactly this sort of situation. It wouldn't solve the issue of bags under the seats, but at least it would stop people from taking those massive bags or suitcases with them.

Having said that, I've noticed that this seems to be much more of an American problem.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Does anyone have a pouch/small bag that they keep on their person while flying so that the most important few documents/items (eg passport and smartphone) are safe in an evacuation rather than having to worry about taking your carry on?

I have pockets (conscious that women's clothes often don't, though) and phone, keys and passport are always in them for takeoff and landing.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Jul 2025 ==

Having said that, I've noticed that this seems to be much more of an American problem.

As are most air travel related problems. The arguments they seem to forever have about seats, armrests and window blinds never seem to occur this side of the pond.

 

[Cloud Strife]

I have pockets (conscious that women's clothes often don't, though) and phone, keys and passport are always in them for takeoff and landing.

Yep, this is why my wife has a little bag that can be easily held and carried. I sometimes keep a piece of paper with important information there too if I'm going somewhere new, just in case my phone gets damaged, but there's absolutely no reason why I'd be reaching under the seat / into the bins for my backpack during an evacuation.

I admit that I usually don't pay attention to the safety briefings these days on the 737 / A32x, but I always make a point of mentally noting where the exits are and where the lifevests are, as well as running through in my head as to which exit is likely to be the best one in different scenarios. There was one flight I was on where it was painfully apparent that the idiots sitting in the exit row would be more trouble than help, and there were several obese passengers between me and that exit row, so I had a plan B in mind for evacuation.

As are most air travel related problems. The arguments they seem to forever have about seats, armrests and window blinds never seem to occur this side of the pond.

I think it's a consequence of a very selfish society, because there's no other explanation as to why we keep seeing videos with them lugging large suitcases and bags down emergency slides. Luggage is normally returned quite quickly if it's just a standard evacuation, so there's really no reason to be hauling wheeled suitcases around.

 

[Elwyn]

Yep, this is why my wife has a little bag that can be easily held and carried. I sometimes keep a piece of paper with important information there too if I'm going somewhere new, just in case my phone gets damaged, but there's absolutely no reason why I'd be reaching under the seat / into the bins for my backpack during an evacuation.

I admit that I usually don't pay attention to the safety briefings these days on the 737 / A32x, but I always make a point of mentally noting where the exits are and where the lifevests are, as well as running through in my head as to which exit is likely to be the best one in different scenarios. There was one flight I was on where it was painfully apparent that the idiots sitting in the exit row would be more trouble than help, and there were several obese passengers between me and that exit row, so I had a plan B in mind for evacuation.



I think it's a consequence of a very selfish society, because there's no other explanation as to why we keep seeing videos with them lugging large suitcases and bags down emergency slides. Luggage is normally returned quite quickly if it's just a standard evacuation, so there's really no reason to be hauling wheeled suitcases around.

I saw an interview with a passenger who had been on a flight that evacuated somewhere in the US. He commented that he noticed that passengers left the aircraft far more quickly using the main entrance doors than via the overwing exits which are narrower and a bit fiddly. He said if you have a choice head for the main exit doors if you can.

 

[Ken X]

All you can do is plan and prepare to keep yourself as safe as possible. Take time to understand the layout of the cabin, particularly what is behind you and mentally plan your actions.

The present Mrs X regularly flies to Switzerland to see family and has a pair of 18 hole Dr Martens and a bum bag for her essentials when travelling. She refuses to try and exit a plane quickly in flip flops.

I was working for Virgin when one of their aircraft had a baggage hold fire alarm trigger which could not be cleared. The crew promptly dived into Gatwick and evacuated on the runway.

It was interesting how many complaints Virgin received from passengers about how the cabin staff very firmly directed them off the aircraft, down the slides. Apparently they used raised voices and manhandled them most rudely. Funny old world isn't it.

 

[Ediswan]

Does anyone have a pouch/small bag that they keep on their person while flying so that the most important few documents/items (eg passport and smartphone) are safe in an evacuation

Yes, a small waist worn bag. Also, shoes on for takeoff and landing.

 

[gabrielhj07]

I saw an interview with a passenger who had been on a flight that evacuated somewhere in the US. He commented that he noticed that passengers left the aircraft far more quickly using the main entrance doors than via the overwing exits which are narrower and a bit fiddly. He said if you have a choice head for the main exit doors if you can.

737 by chance? If so the main doors are a better bet if the flaps haven't come down to 40.

 

[edwin_m]

I've often wondered why the overhead bins don't have locking mechanisms during takeoff and landing to avoid exactly this sort of situation. It wouldn't solve the issue of bags under the seats, but at least it would stop people from taking those massive bags or suitcases with them.

I read somewhere that has been considered, but there's a feeling that people will just try to force the bins open, which probably causes more delay than if they just opened them and grabbed their bags.

 

[Cloud Strife]

It was interesting how many complaints Virgin received from passengers about how the cabin staff very firmly directed them off the aircraft, down the slides. Apparently they used raised voices and manhandled them most rudely. Funny old world isn't it.

It's a sign of a very well trained cabin crew! I remember taking part in some training years ago on this topic, and the trainer openly advocated swearing in a controlled, but aggressive manner at kids if it was a real emergency as they would be far more inclined to comply with the instructions given.

 

[Elwyn]

737 by chance? If so the main doors are a better bet if the flaps haven't come down to 40.

Sorry, but I don't recall the aircraft type.

 

[najaB]

Also, shoes on for takeoff and landing.

I really can't see why anyone would do otherwise! It might be being a little paranoid, but I also try my best to only wear natural materials (leather shoes, cotton clothes) to avoid burns from melting plastics sticking to skin.

 

[Elwyn]

About 25 years ago I was on an Air UK Fokker Friendship from Amsterdam to Leeds. When we touched down the nose wheel collapsed. Obviously the pilot then slammed on the brakes and we came to a very sudden shuddering stop on the runway. As it slowed down the plane shook from side to side quite a bit and most of the overhead lockers popped open by themselves. The contents came showering down on the passengers, including bottles of duty free. It was probably the most dangerous aspect of the whole incident. I read somewhere that many of the passengers on the British Midland Kegworth crash also had injuries from items coming out of overhead lockers. It’s clearly a significant risk.

In the Leeds incident we didn’t need to evacuate the aircraft. We were told to sit tight till a bus came to take us to the terminal.

 

[najaB]

I read somewhere that many of the passengers on the British Midland Kegworth crash also had injuries from items coming out of overhead lockers. It’s clearly a significant risk.

It's also been suggested that the fire in the KE801 crash in Guam was at least partially fed by duty-free alcohol falling from the overheads.

 

[AlterEgo]

I had to evacuate a “Hurricane Hunters” C-130 at Biloxi when the nose gear collapsed upon landing in 2005. What do I win?

 

[pitdiver]

I used to live near Cranfield University where there was an old BAC 1-11 that was used for evacuation exercise. On one occasion when outside volunteers were being used theatrical smoke was being used to simulate a fire so inducing an evacuation. During this evacuation a number of people suffered injuries because they weren't doing as they were TOLD. One volunteer suffered if I recall a quite serious leg injury.

 

[Cloud Strife]

On one occasion when outside volunteers were being used theatrical smoke was being used to simulate a fire so inducing an evacuation. During this evacuation a number of people suffered injuries because they weren't doing as they were TOLD. One volunteer suffered if I recall a quite serious leg injury.

It's a serious problem with any sort of transport, because on one hand, people are safest if they follow instructions. On the other hand, Saudia Flight 163 (if the passengers weren't incapacitated!) or MV Sewol are textbook examples of why not to follow instructions in an emergency.

I remember talking to one purser about this topic, and she said that for her, she has no problems with kicking people out of exit row seats if it's obvious that they can't be trusted in an emergency. It's a judgement call in many cases, but she gave the example of having the front row occupied by three middle aged women who didn't speak English. In that specific case, she moved them, because she felt that they would simply panic in an evacuation scenario.

 

[TravelDream]

The contents came showering down on the passengers, including bottles of duty free. It was probably the most dangerous aspect of the whole incident.

Yes, this can be a serious risk.

I especially hate when people put bottles loose or just in bag side pockets/ duty free bags in the overhead bins. This is really common now as so many people carry refillable water bottles. I once saw a man seriously injured when a bottle fell out and hit him on the head. Thankfully it was on the ground, but he was stretchered off and taken to an ambulance.

In an accident, this is only amplified as overhead bins open and things come flying out.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

2400 flights and not had to evacuate yet thankfully. Duty free pisses me off for the safety aspect but that is probably best in a new thread!