HAVE you ever noticed air passengers who simply refuse to belt up?
Well, after reading The Straits Times’ article headlined “Strap in – it can get bumpy up there” on Wednesday, cabin crew have one plea for passengers: Help us keep you safe.
One flight attendant wrote in to say she has had numerous encounters with uncooperative passengers who don’t realise they are endangering their own safety.
When ST checked with others in the industry, they agreed that this was a particular problem.
Kimberly, a flight attendant for 15 years, wrote in to say that even during bumpy weather, passengers have, among other things, refused to buckle up, insisted on going to the toilet, or continually hit the service button.
She added that she had even encountered parents who insisted that they were allowed to leave their children on the floor.
“It is very sad that we need a traumatic experience before we stop taking safety for granted,” she lamented.
“I also hope all passengers would take the flight attendants advice seriously when it comes to safety matters.”
Former stewardess Sheena Chan, 25, agreed that parents with young children were among the biggest offenders.
She said: “We make it clear that if the seat belt sign comes on, infants must be removed from bassinets and belted up. But parents often refuse, saying that their children are sleeping and they don't want to wake them.”
She noted that the bassinet is only secured by two points: “In the worst case scenario, the baby could hit the ceiling during turbulence, or the entire bassinet could fall with the child still inside.”
Ms Irene Mark, 38, the Safety Emergency Procedure Instructor at Jetstar Asia, said staff are given lots of training in safety, and airlines often emphasise that this aspect of their jobs is more important than service.
“We always emphasise the need for communication, and to educate passengers about safety concerns,” she said. “We have to be very careful and very polite, and emphasise the safety concerns. They may not always be aware of the seriousness of the seat belt sign."
Remember their advice the next time you fly!