Lots of people want to be as safe as possible when they're on a flight. They may already be worried about things as they are, so minimizing any risk helps put minds at rest.
Well, there's one thing that the FAA has warned about—and it's definitely not what you're expecting.
As reported by the New York Post, the warning came in the form of a video posted to social media. There, the FAA highlighted the frustrated comments of people on a video of passengers evacuating a plane with their bags.
"Why are people getting off with their personal belongings?" one frustrated commenter wrote. "LEAVE YOUR BELONGINGS BEHIND & GET OFF!"
Another commenter wrote, "Yeah saw a video of people grabbing their belongings while the flight attendants were telling them their lives were more important. They don't realize they could accidentally puncture the slide with their stuff."
Another commenter featured in the video was a little more extreme. "Everyone who takes their bags during emergency should be placed on a no fly list."
And that's what the FAA says itself. The video ends with a pithy catchphrase. "Every second counts. Save a life, not a bag."
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What Does the FAA Say About Bags During Evacuations?
Of course, it's one thing to post a video with a slogan online, but what does the FAA itself say about this?
They attached a helpful link to their website in the post.
So, they're pretty clear about what you should do in the event of an evacuation. They explain the risks of bags, saying that "bringing carry-on bags [with you] or stopping to gather personal belongings can delay everyone from getting off the aircraft."
They add that "bags can also block aisles, damage evacuation slides, and increase the risk of injuries." And the numbers don't lie, either. According to the FAA, more than 40 injuries were reported since 2023 because of errant bags.
They add some key pointers:
- Leave all carry-on bags behind.
- Move quickly to the nearest safe exit.
- Help keep the evacuation moving.
