Last week, I wrote about a Hong Kong Airlines Airbus A320 traveling from Hangzhou, China, to Hong Kong that had to make an emergency landing in Fuzhou, China because a lithium battery caught fire. I mentioned that incidents like this are becoming more common and that it’s one of my concerns when traveling over large bodies of water since there’s often nowhere to land. It turns out, on the same day, a Southwest Airlines flight (3077) traveling from Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) to Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) encountered a similar issue.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the plane “landed safely at approximately 10:05 p.m. local time. Upon arrival at the gate, the crew notified authorities about the fire, prompting the evacuation of passengers from the Boeing 737-800. The passengers exited the aircraft using the rear emergency slides and the front door.” See the video below:
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What’s interesting is that this video is going viral because someone noticed an off-duty flight attendant going down the slide with her bag over her shoulder and wearing high heels. While it’s widely known that both are a big no-no, she made it look effortless, almost like she was on an amusement park ride. She seemed to be having fun, but in a popular flight attendant forum, she was taken to task:
@kassie157: A very good day, everyone is off, safely, alive, to tell the story. However, crew member with high heels, luggage too. Do they not pay attention in the class or see the stats?
@laurennoneill: Smh crew with handbag instead of microphone or flashlight in hand 😪😩 common now girly
@matty_dougall: Bags and high heels
@aseenwoman: I flew long enough ago to remember “Unfasten your seat belt! Remove your shoes! Leave everything! Come this way!” It took years of saying “Remove your shoes” in my head after it changed…and it came right back watching this.
@fenrafael01: The flight attendant acted like she just out of Walmart. 😂
As for the bag, as long as she didn’t hold anyone up from exiting the plane quickly, I don’t see a problem with it. She probably had it under her seat and just grabbed it, which might have been safer than leaving it there for seatmates to trip over (if she was in the aisle). I’m just glad everyone got off safely.
If you ever have to evacuate an aircraft in an emergency situation, here are some tips to keep in mind:
1. Listen to the crew’s instructions
Flight attendants and crew are trained to handle emergency situations. Pay attention to their instructions and follow them without hesitation. They will guide you to the nearest exit and ensure you evacuate safely.
2. Stay calm and avoid panic
While it can be scary, stay calm. Panicking can cloud your judgment and slow down the evacuation process. Breathe deeply, stay focused and move quickly but carefully toward the exit.
3. Know the location of exits
Before takeoff, familiarize yourself with the location of the exits (usually indicated by signs). In the event of an emergency, knowing where the nearest exit is will help you act quickly, especially in low-visibility situations like smoke-filled cabins.
4. Leave personal belongings behind
Don’t attempt to grab your bags or personal items during an evacuation. Focus on getting out of the aircraft as quickly as possible. Extra time spent retrieving belongings can delay the process and put others at risk.
5. Shoes and footwear:
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Leave shoes on: In an emergency evacuation, it’s generally best to leave your shoes on, especially if you’re on an aircraft that may have debris, fire, or sharp objects in or around the exits. Running barefoot could lead to injuries.
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If you’re wearing high heels: If you’re wearing high heels, it’s advisable to take them off before evacuating if possible. High heels can slow you down, create instability during evacuation, and increase the risk of injury. Once you remove them, keep them in hand, or leave them behind if necessary. The goal is to evacuate quickly and safely, so prioritize your ability to move quickly and safely.
6. Use the emergency slide (if applicable):
If you exit through an emergency slide, be sure to follow the crew’s instructions and slide down feet-first, avoiding any unnecessary movements. Once you’re safely out, move away from the aircraft quickly to avoid any hazards or explosions.
RELATED: Lithium Battery Fire Forces Hong Kong Airlines Flight to Make Emergency Landing
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Everybody is so judgemental these days. They got of and are ok, that’s good enough for me.