Intriguing Incidents of Unusual Airplane Behavior and Procedures
In recent weeks, a video circulating on TikTok depicted a passenger peeking from inside an overhead locker on a Southwest Airlines flight. Although the video has since been removed, it quickly went viral, prompting the airline to investigate. This follows a 2019 incident where a Southwest flight attendant was filmed with their head inside an overhead compartment, which the airline later dismissed as a brief moment of fun.
Flight attendants and aviation experts have emphasized the dangers of using overhead lockers for anything other than luggage. The compartments are designed to hold baggage but can pose serious risks if occupied by passengers. Concerns include potential injuries from turbulence and the lack of access to oxygen masks during emergencies. Experts advise that climbing into overhead lockers is inherently unsafe.
Meanwhile, former Virgin Atlantic flight attendant Mandy Smith shed light on various in-flight procedures and protocols in a recent interview. Smith discussed how airlines handle instances when passengers die mid-flight, revealing that deceased individuals are now laid across front seats instead of being placed in bathrooms. This change avoids complications related to rigor mortis.
Smith also touched on the rigorous training pilots undergo, improving passenger survival odds during crashes. She explained how hijacking response protocols have evolved since 9/11, with current procedures encouraging passengers to intervene when necessary.
The dialogue around these incidents underscores evolving safety measures and the ongoing challenges flight crews face in maintaining order and ensuring passenger safety.