(Untitled)

[rdhdsnippet]

So... I fly slightly more than the average leisure traveler - probably six to eight times a year - though obviously less often than the road-warrior business traveler. I seem to be the only one I know who actually factors in how to avoid and (if that fails) survive a crash when doing my planning. I'm actually not in the least bit afraid of being in

Comments

[sirkenandsubg]

I always wear sneakers on the plane or long car rides. I have this thing about my toes being cut off. If I put my ID/credit card in my pocket I always seem to lose it but maybe I can put it in my sock (since I am wearing sneakers).

Never thought much about the type of clothing and seat location. I prefer the window but maybe now I will change my mind.

The other thing I started thinking about is whether Ken and I will fly on the same flight. What if something happens and we leave Mr. MC with no parents?! I know some parents travel on different flights - is that being too paranoid??!

[blushingflower]

I dress for security and the plane- I normally don't advocate sandals on long flights b/c I find most airplanes too cold, but flip-flops are fantastic for getting through security (though my side-zip tactical boots are probably a better choice from a "what if" perspective). I always wear layers, again because of climate control.
I don't listen intently to the speech, because I could recite it, but I do always look around to find out where the closest exit is (since it might be behind me). And if I'm sitting in the exit row, I do review the procedure for opening the emergency door.

So I think you're probably a little paranoid, but if it makes you feel safer, I don't think you're hurting anyone, assuming you would still be willing to fly if you couldn't make one of those adjustments.

[mrf_arch]

any of you make any conscious "just in case" adjustments?

Yes. Rear of the plane (when I can get it - my wife wants to sit in the front...) look for the exits, read the card.

On the other hand, I'm much more likely to die in a car or train accident than on a plane, and if the plane goes down, I'm likely scrod anyway.

OTOH, on train trips, I do at least try to get somewhere in the middle of the consist (since the middle cars are more likely to stay on the track after a disaster - trains tend to ram things from behind or get rammed from behind. Not so much with getting T-boned)

[whitebird]

95% of my clothing is cotton just because I like it better anyways. I always wear athletic shoes anyways, so that's not a problem, but they're usually off when in the air.

I read the cards, know where the exits are. I view position on the plane to be pretty arbitrary. And I'm likely not at all concerned about stepping over people who can't move as well as I can to get into a more useful position. I wouldn't leave people, but I can't be of help in a poor position. I'm almost always the last out of the building when the fire alarm goes off, and I check rooms.

However, survival will either be based on the skill of the pilot, or the luck of the draw.

[moshah]

I definitely know where the exit is when I sit down, and tend to count the seats so I know. I keep my ID with me at all times, as well as my wallet/money clip. I also have one of those Utility-keys that has a screwdriver and other tools, on the off chance we get stuck on a deserted island and I need to slaughter a boar or something for dinner.

I don't know if I buy that sitting in the back necessarily means you're more likely to survive. Last time I saw the numbers, they didn't (or really couldn't) account for the fact that elderly folks tend to sit toward the front of the plane, which might skew the results. If there is an advantage, its a miniscule one, and the benefit of getting off the plane sooner typically outweighs it. Although that particular perk may be a thing of the past, since traveling with a child has meant that we tend to go toward the back anyway. Close to the lavatory is a benefit in that case!