Why straighten seat-backs and stow tables?
A common joke is: “because you are asked to straighten up your airline seat (not reclined) and told to stow away close and lock tray tables so that the cabin attendants can see everyone in equal or uniform positions because they want orderly beauty in front of them”. While there might be some truth to this, of course it is essentially just a joke!
So why nga?! Well, that is again for safety, comfort and convenience of all passengers – not just you, but all other people beside, in front and behind you.
Let’s talk about your seat first. There are good reasons you should heed the advice to straighten it erect than reclined when the plane is about to take off or land. During an emergency, you are likely to be alert or at least aware of your surroundings when your seat is erect as otherwise you could be lazily resting if that seat was reclined. So who will be quick to move during such scenarios? You in a reclined manner? Or those who are “ready-to-run” on their upright seats? Good luck!
Now consider the person behind you. His seat back is upright and yours is reclined. Naturally you limit the breathing or moving space of that passenger. During an emergency, you could be hampering his ability to move, so there are three scenarios that might occur – 1) you jeopardize his ability to quickly move for safety procedures, 2) he could hurt himself by banging his head or parts of his body on that reclined seat back of yours, or 3) he could trod and clamber upon or over you during a mad dash to safety. Just hope that the 3rd scenario does not happen when you insist on reclining your seat. By the way, read the safety cards in front of you. There is an illustration on how to “brace for impact”. Now ask, how will that passenger behind you brace properly if your seat back is reclined? This is inviting scenario 3 hehe!
Remember all of the above – even if you are sleepy or drunk on an early dawn flight. Why did you not gather enough sleep or why did you get drunk before that flight anyway? An aircraft is not a bedroom. The seats might be comfy but remember that it’s a moving piece of steel at unimaginable speed heading towards an unimaginable height from the ground – with you and other people in it.
Now the tray (or table). Many an airline safety guru would actually dream of not fitting any aircraft with such a thing. It’s a dangerous item during emergencies. Imagine that table open and you are happily reading a book or magazine laid on it during take off or landing. Then a big shudder happens. Your natural bodily movement could cause you to slam your face, hands or even your ribs unto that table – an unnecessary injury. Why would those shudders or bumps happen? If you don’t know the reason, you have not taken a single airline flight in your life! There are too many reasons such as sudden change in outside wind speed or direction, bumps in the runway, and many other occurrences. If it’s any consolation, Filipino pilots are known to be very conscious at making the softest landings. It’s like a daily trophy for them. But that does not give you the permission to spread open that table. Anything can/may/will happen!
Have a safe flight!
So why nga?! Well, that is again for safety, comfort and convenience of all passengers – not just you, but all other people beside, in front and behind you.
Let’s talk about your seat first. There are good reasons you should heed the advice to straighten it erect than reclined when the plane is about to take off or land. During an emergency, you are likely to be alert or at least aware of your surroundings when your seat is erect as otherwise you could be lazily resting if that seat was reclined. So who will be quick to move during such scenarios? You in a reclined manner? Or those who are “ready-to-run” on their upright seats? Good luck!
Now consider the person behind you. His seat back is upright and yours is reclined. Naturally you limit the breathing or moving space of that passenger. During an emergency, you could be hampering his ability to move, so there are three scenarios that might occur – 1) you jeopardize his ability to quickly move for safety procedures, 2) he could hurt himself by banging his head or parts of his body on that reclined seat back of yours, or 3) he could trod and clamber upon or over you during a mad dash to safety. Just hope that the 3rd scenario does not happen when you insist on reclining your seat. By the way, read the safety cards in front of you. There is an illustration on how to “brace for impact”. Now ask, how will that passenger behind you brace properly if your seat back is reclined? This is inviting scenario 3 hehe!
Remember all of the above – even if you are sleepy or drunk on an early dawn flight. Why did you not gather enough sleep or why did you get drunk before that flight anyway? An aircraft is not a bedroom. The seats might be comfy but remember that it’s a moving piece of steel at unimaginable speed heading towards an unimaginable height from the ground – with you and other people in it.
Now the tray (or table). Many an airline safety guru would actually dream of not fitting any aircraft with such a thing. It’s a dangerous item during emergencies. Imagine that table open and you are happily reading a book or magazine laid on it during take off or landing. Then a big shudder happens. Your natural bodily movement could cause you to slam your face, hands or even your ribs unto that table – an unnecessary injury. Why would those shudders or bumps happen? If you don’t know the reason, you have not taken a single airline flight in your life! There are too many reasons such as sudden change in outside wind speed or direction, bumps in the runway, and many other occurrences. If it’s any consolation, Filipino pilots are known to be very conscious at making the softest landings. It’s like a daily trophy for them. But that does not give you the permission to spread open that table. Anything can/may/will happen!
Have a safe flight!
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