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The fury over 'hand luggage' plane evacuees The fury over 'hand luggage' plane evacuees
(34 minutes later)
British Airways passengers came in for harsh criticism when they were pictured grasping their hand luggage as they evacuated an enflamed plane in Las Vegas. Was that fair?British Airways passengers came in for harsh criticism when they were pictured grasping their hand luggage as they evacuated an enflamed plane in Las Vegas. Was that fair?
The plane, bound for London, forced the evacuation of 170 people and 14 people were hospitalised, although they were all later discharged.The plane, bound for London, forced the evacuation of 170 people and 14 people were hospitalised, although they were all later discharged.
People streaming out of the plane were holding purses, flip-flop sandals, rolling bags and shoulder bags.People streaming out of the plane were holding purses, flip-flop sandals, rolling bags and shoulder bags.
There was no shortage of Twitter criticism for those who got off the plane laden with luggage. Some accused them of putting lives at risk.There was no shortage of Twitter criticism for those who got off the plane laden with luggage. Some accused them of putting lives at risk.
Other tweeters demanded they be prosecuted or legal action be taken by British Airways, whose policy is that passengers leave hand luggage behind in the event of an emergency.Other tweeters demanded they be prosecuted or legal action be taken by British Airways, whose policy is that passengers leave hand luggage behind in the event of an emergency.
That instruction is given in the airline's safety video which airs at the start of the flight.That instruction is given in the airline's safety video which airs at the start of the flight.
Chris Manno, an airline pilot, tweeted cartoons of passengers taking photos of themselves and said passengers had "misplaced priorities" leaving the plane.Chris Manno, an airline pilot, tweeted cartoons of passengers taking photos of themselves and said passengers had "misplaced priorities" leaving the plane.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the US, which governs rules for flying, advises that passengers listen to the airline staff and always leave carry-on items behind in the event of an emergency evacuation.The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the US, which governs rules for flying, advises that passengers listen to the airline staff and always leave carry-on items behind in the event of an emergency evacuation.
"Retrieving personal items may impede the safe evacuation of passengers," states FAA guidance."Retrieving personal items may impede the safe evacuation of passengers," states FAA guidance.
But an FAA spokeswoman added that she was unaware they had ever fined anyone.But an FAA spokeswoman added that she was unaware they had ever fined anyone.
Taking luggage along during an emergency evacuation situation is risky to one's self and others on the plane, says Mark Weiss, a former American Airlines pilot of 23 years.Taking luggage along during an emergency evacuation situation is risky to one's self and others on the plane, says Mark Weiss, a former American Airlines pilot of 23 years.
"Panic will always set in in situations like this, but if there's fire and smoke, that air is very toxic."Panic will always set in in situations like this, but if there's fire and smoke, that air is very toxic.
"If you're standing up to try and get something from an overhead bin or struggling to get it out from under a seat, you're expending a lot of energy and using oxygen.""If you're standing up to try and get something from an overhead bin or struggling to get it out from under a seat, you're expending a lot of energy and using oxygen."
Not only does that use of energy take up precious clean air, it prohibits others from evacuating quickly, says Mr Weiss, and air toxicity and smoke inhalation is what kills most people in fires.Not only does that use of energy take up precious clean air, it prohibits others from evacuating quickly, says Mr Weiss, and air toxicity and smoke inhalation is what kills most people in fires.
People take flying for granted and assume nothing will happen to them, and that is dangerous, he adds.People take flying for granted and assume nothing will happen to them, and that is dangerous, he adds.
"We put more value in possessions than common sense and the reality of what happens.""We put more value in possessions than common sense and the reality of what happens."
But no-one really knows how they would react in a situation like this, which can be panicked and confusing.But no-one really knows how they would react in a situation like this, which can be panicked and confusing.
Is there a chance people missed the safety video and simply didn't know what they were doing was wrong?Is there a chance people missed the safety video and simply didn't know what they were doing was wrong?
One of the passengers, Jacob Steinberg, says it was pretty clear.One of the passengers, Jacob Steinberg, says it was pretty clear.
"There were certainly shouts for people not to do it when they opened lockers," he says. Whether those warnings came from other passengers or staff, he can't remember."There were certainly shouts for people not to do it when they opened lockers," he says. Whether those warnings came from other passengers or staff, he can't remember.
Frank Behany of the UK's Holiday Travel Watch, a group representing consumers, is in no doubt about their actions, calling them "stupid".Frank Behany of the UK's Holiday Travel Watch, a group representing consumers, is in no doubt about their actions, calling them "stupid".
"What was going through their minds at the time was themselves. If I'm on board an aircraft and we have to get out quickly, I expect to be pushed and shoved by my fellow passengers."What was going through their minds at the time was themselves. If I'm on board an aircraft and we have to get out quickly, I expect to be pushed and shoved by my fellow passengers.
"The last thing I want to do is be fighting to get out against bags.""The last thing I want to do is be fighting to get out against bags."
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Would you take hand luggage if you were evacuating from a plane?