Shoes off when travelling by train or plane?

[bnm]

Mods' note: split from Virgin West Coast Bad management

I would never take my shoes off on a train. Similarly never on a plane either.

Whilst the possibility of an emergency evacuation is remote, I'd rather be doing it shod.

 

[najaB]

I would never take my shoes off on a train. Similarly never on a plane either.

Whilst the possibility of an emergency evacuation is remote, I'd rather be doing it shod.

Agreed totally with you on a train, and during take off and landing on a plane. But I *might* consider it once at cruising altitude as any incident that gets me from 35,000 to 0ft faster than I can get my shoes on... well they can't identify a body from toe prints can they?

 

[HowardGWR]

I would never take my shoes off on a train. Similarly never on a plane either.

Whilst the possibility of an emergency evacuation is remote, I'd rather be doing it shod.

Neither would I, @BNM, but for other reasons. Whilst I am always clean as a whistle, other pax don't know that. It should simply not be the done thing.

 

[route:oxford]

I would never take my shoes off on a train. Similarly never on a plane either.

Whilst the possibility of an emergency evacuation is remote, I'd rather be doing it shod.

Never off on a train. Unless I was in a sleeper berth of course.

On a plane. Always on for take off & landing - But long haul, definitely off in order to flex, stretch and allow good circulation.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I would never take my shoes off on a train. Similarly never on a plane either.

Whilst the possibility of an emergency evacuation is remote, I'd rather be doing it shod.

The possibility of an emergency evacuation from a train where you have to do it so quickly you wouldn't have time to re-shoe is miniscule. It is almost always safer to remain on the train until such time as a proper evacuation can be arranged.

With a plane on take-off and landing I agree, and indeed I've seen cabin crews asking people to put shoes back on for this.

 

[najaB]

The possibility of an emergency evacuation from a train where you have to do it so quickly you wouldn't have time to re-shoe is miniscule.

The main issue is that in many scenarios you and your shoes may well part company.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The main issue is that in many scenarios you and your shoes may well part company.

That's sounding like a "once every 10 years at most" sort of crash. I'll take the risk of something so incredibly unlikely.

 

[najaB]

That's sounding like a "once every 10 years at most" sort of crash. I'll take the risk of something so incredibly unlikely.

Interestingly, the risk of being involved in an air crash is about the same (if not lower!), yet you keep your shoes on there. A good example of the perception of risk vs actual risk.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Interestingly, the risk of being involved in an air crash is about the same (if not lower!), yet you keep your shoes on there. A good example of the perception of risk vs actual risk.

Because with an air crash, being out within the first minute or so is essential to survival. With a rail crash, that is pretty much never the case - people who get out in the first minute or so in panic are often squashed by a train on an adjacent line. It is better to stay put, during which time the errant shoes could be located.

 

[najaB]

Because with an air crash, being out within the first minute or so is essential to survival. With a rail crash, that is pretty much never the case - people who get out in the first minute or so in panic are often squashed by a train on an adjacent line. It is better to stay put, during which time the errant shoes could be located.

I understand that, but as I said it's all about the perceived risk. Using Wikipedia let's compare accidents where a train has derailed or completely left the tracks (we'll use that as the criteria for having difficulty in retrieving your shoes) and compare it to commercial airline accidents we get the following lists for 2000 to 2009:

Airliners
10 May 2001 – Spanair Flight 3203
18 August 2007 – Swiss European Air Lines Flight 444
17 January 2008 – British Airways Flight 38
13 February 2009 – BA CityFlyer Flight 8456

Rail
17 October 2000 - Hatfield
28 February 2001 - Great Heck
10 May 2002 - Potters Bar
6 November 2004 - Ufton Nervet
23 February 2007 - Greyrigg

So really you're just as likely to be walking on broken glass, etc. either way. It's worth noting that none of the airline disasters involved the aeroplane catching fire (two of the four aircraft involved were repairable) so the 'need to be out in the first minute' argument might not be any more applicable to aircraft.

Don't get me wrong, I think keeping your shoes on is the right choice - I almost always keep them on both on planes and trains.

 

[ComUtoR]

Compare it to commercial airline accidents we get the following lists for 2000 to 2009:

Airliners
10 May 2001 – Spanair Flight 3203
18 August 2007 – Swiss European Air Lines Flight 444
17 January 2008 – British Airways Flight 38
13 February 2009 – BA CityFlyer Flight 8456

Rail
17 October 2000 - Hatfield
28 February 2001 - Great Heck
10 May 2002 - Potters Bar
6 November 2004 - Ufton Nervet
23 February 2007 - Greyrigg

Is that a list of ALL flights worldwide but the rail derailments purely for the UK ? what would be the worldwide statistics for derailments ?

 

[najaB]

Is that a list of ALL flights worldwide but the rail derailments purely for the UK ? what would be the worldwide statistics for derailments ?

No, both UK only. Meant to say so in the post.

 

[ComUtoR]

Cheers Naja

 

[DaleCooper]

With a plane on take-off and landing I agree, and indeed I've seen cabin crews asking people to put shoes back on for this.

I thought you had to remove shoes before using the escape chutes.

 

[najaB]

I thought you had to remove shoes before using the escape chutes.

Heels, yes. Not sure about normal shoes. Besides, there are plenty of scenarios where you wouldn't be using the slides.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Noting that trains and planes are transport modes mentioned in this thread, do I take it that the removal of shoes on coaches or buses never occurs?

 

[alxndr]

My feet must be incredibly resilient, if I'm not nagged to take them off I can quite happily wear shoes, including my steel toe capped workboots from the moment I get dressed in the morning to the moment I get undressed at night. If people are needing to take their shoes off when travelling to be comfortable perhaps they need better fitting shoes?

That said, I can understand it a little better on planes with the circulation and what not.

 

[PaxVobiscum]

Noting that trains and planes are transport modes mentioned in this thread, do I take it that the removal of shoes on coaches or buses never occurs?

People who travel by bus can't afford shoes anyway.

 

[gimmea50anyday]

I only have one comment on this....

If you are going to be cheeky and put your feet up on the seats next to or opposite you, take your shoes off your feet before you do, as you would do your own sofa at home.
If you are not prepared to take your shoes off, then do not use the seats as feet rests.

 

[DarloRich]

i would never take my shoes off, my feet are toxic! Although i might get a carriage to myself it hardly seems right

 

[Clip]

Why on earth would you want to take your choes off whilst on a train? You have no idea whats on the floor - I mean on trains that have carpet you cant see any spillages - you take an extra pair of socks just in case you stand in something do you?

Horrible.

 

[Gemz91]

Mods' note: split from Virgin West Coast Bad management

I would never take my shoes off on a train. Similarly never on a plane either.

Whilst the possibility of an emergency evacuation is remote, I'd rather be doing it shod.

Do you also sleep in your shoes at home, just in case there's a fire during the night and you have to leave the house at a moments notice?

 

[alxndr]

Or have them off at all times when on cruises or ferries in case evacuation is required and you have to swim?

 

[EssexGonzo]

Many planes are cleaned between each passenger occupation of each seat....trains are most certainly not! And for that reason, shoes always on, on a train.

Incidentally, I have been emergency evacuated from a plane after an emergency landing but never from a train. And whilst I've been on many hundreds of planes I must have been on thousands of train journeys. So on that statistically significant basis, I would have to say that trains are safer, if slightly less clean.

And from the moment we smelt the burning, we had plenty of time to put our shoes back on before being unceremoniously dumped on the runway of some regional airfield.

 

[richw]

I pretty much wear flip flops everywhere except work or to the gym, I hate my feet being closed in.
Is there any difference between taking off your shoes and wearing flip flops or sandals?

 

[plymothian]

Any time you choose
Take off your shoes
Rest your weary eyes
Or catch up with the news
A favourite book will be
A perfect company
Relax...

Who remembers that Intercity advert?

 

[sprinterguy]

I really can't see the appeal of taking shoes off on a train or a plane. It's public transport, not my living room.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Is there any difference between taking off your shoes and wearing flip flops or sandals?

One important distinction: Socks.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

My feet must be incredibly resilient, if I'm not nagged to take them off I can quite happily wear shoes, including my steel toe capped workboots from the moment I get dressed in the morning to the moment I get undressed at night. If people are needing to take their shoes off when travelling to be comfortable perhaps they need better fitting shoes?

My feet practically live in my steel toe capped boots when I'm out of the house. With half an inch of firm rubber sole, they're the most comfortable (and practical) footwear that I own. Far better than my daft, posh work shoes, with their paper thin soles and lack of any real grip.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Any time you choose
Take off your shoes
Rest your weary eyes
Or catch up with the news
A favourite book will be
A perfect company
Relax...

Who remembers that Intercity advert?

Well, blimey. hock: If Intercity, that popularly held bastion of excellence, have said it's okay then perhaps it is me that is in the wrong!

 

[edwin_m]

Many planes are cleaned between each passenger occupation of each seat....trains are most certainly not! And for that reason, shoes always on, on a train.

I don't think that applies to the sorts of planes most of us have to use these days. 30min turnaround doesn't give time to do much.

 

[martin2345uk]

I pretty much wear flip flops everywhere except work or to the gym, I hate my feet being closed in.

Hope they're relatively well groomed then...!

 

[Groningen]

Maybe i should keep it calm, but last year in Germany i was already expelled from the train within 1 day of my holiday. 1 German was so angry that he took something so that my traindoor would not open anymore. Oh; he took some pictures so they maybe flying on the Internet somewhere.