Air passengers ‘risking lives by grabbing bags and filming in emergencies’ | Air transport

Passengers are increasingly delaying aircraft evacuations by retrieving hand luggage and filming emergencies on smartphones, according to aviation industry experts. The global airlines body IATA has launched a “save a life, not a bag” campaign to combat these behaviors, which can block exits and hinder the 90-second evacuation design goal for passenger aircraft.

Why are passengers ignoring evacuation rules?

A lack of awareness and psychological stress drive the failure to comply with safety protocols. Research across the US, UK, Singapore, and UAE shows only 61% of travelers are aware of the rules, according to Nick Careen, IATA senior vice-president for operations and security.

Brett Molesworth, a professor of human factors and aviation safety at the University of New South Wales, says unfamiliar emergencies trigger a “fight or flight” response. He notes that for about 75% of people, the ability to process information is restricted, leading them to instinctively grab bags from overhead lockers.

Dr. Levi Breeding, a senior auditor at United Airlines, attributes some of the behavior to the “TikTok generation.” He states some passengers have an instinct to pull out phones to potentially make money from footage of newsworthy events.

How does retrieving luggage impact aviation safety?

Retrieving bags can significantly increase the time needed to clear a plane, which is designed to be fully evacuated in 90 seconds. Passengers reaching for luggage can block aisles and exits, cause injuries, or damage emergency slides.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reports an increasing number of passengers ignoring flight crew instructions during emergencies. Bryan Bedford, an FAA administrator, stated that compliance is critical and passengers must leave all belongings behind without hesitation.

Real-world consequences appeared last July at Palma airport in Mallorca. During an evacuation of a Ryanair plane due to suspected fire, 18 passengers sustained minor injuries in what passengers described as “utter carnage.”

What measures could airlines take to ensure compliance?

Industry leaders are weighing education against more severe penalties. Nick Careen suggests that if regulators favor it, fines could be implemented to progress safety compliance.

While airlines and manufacturers aren’t currently considering technical fixes, Careen mentioned that locking overhead bins could be a “draconian” future step if education fails. Rachel Loudermilk, managing director of inflight safety at Southwest Airlines, says cabin crew are currently training to be more direct and “yell” in passengers’ faces to force compliance.

However, some experts doubt current methods. Molesworth suggests IATA’s campaign using cartoon animals may not be effective, as research indicates only about half of passengers who watch safety videos actually retain the information.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly must a plane be evacuated in an emergency?
Passenger aircraft are designed to be fully evacuated within 90 seconds.

What percentage of passengers are aware of evacuation rules?
Research in the US, UK, Singapore, and UAE found that only 61% of travelers were aware of the rules.

Are airlines planning to lock overhead bins?
Airlines and manufacturers are not yet considering this, though Nick Careen of IATA mentioned it as a possible future “draconian” measure.

Do you think financial penalties would effectively stop passengers from taking bags during an emergency?