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Friday, September 7, 2007 12:00 AM

Ask the pilot

Lessons from a burning plane: What the media didn't tell you about a near disaster in Asia.

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  • Friday, September 7, 2007 07:49 AM

    You need your what?

    I'm glad someone else has mentioned what to wear and what not to wear as a passenger.

    Now if only the airlines themselves would take note and stop issuing uniform components that are made of polyester blends that melt in high heat. Those nylons they like their female employees to wear? Melt. Scarves? Melt. Jackets, pants and skirts? Melt. But at least the food and grime just wipes away!

    I still remember the commands that were ingrained in me at my first FA job over 25 years ago as well as each carrier since - and one of the lines was always a variant of "LEAVE EVERYTHING BEHIND!". I actually had the opportunity, or misfortune depending how you want to look at it, to put them to the test twice since.

    One time (September 1986) involved an evacuation using the stairs. Yes, people still started reaching for their carry ons... though some relented when they heard us and saw us turning purple from screaming at them so loudly.

    I then noticed some people coming back UP the stairs trying to get back in the plane we were evacuating due to a tire fire.

    Why?

    Seems the authorities on the ground were asking our evacuees for their passports.

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