by Level 47 And Counting... on May 17th, 2009

Level 47 And Counting...

Question

Help answer this question below.

Why are there flotation devices under plane seats, instead of parachutes?

  • Like
  • Report

Answers. Showing one answer.

  • by Phillis - Zacks little sister on May 17th, 2009

    Phillis - Zacks little sister

    You can't jump out of a crashing commercial jet. The decline can be very steep, for one thing, and unpredictable for another. At any time the plane could bank sharply, flip, or change trajectory (there is an aviation term for this, but I can't think of what it is right now). You run the risk of being sucked out of the plane, getting hit in the head or body (HARD), or being sucked into the engines. And that's just a few of the dangers on the outside of the plane!

    On the inside, fighting panicking people or waiting in line for your turn to jump would render the parachute ineffective. That being said, flotation devices are pretty pointless as well. But they're better than nothing. Interesting question!

    Comments
    • Bingo!
      .
      Airliners aren't designed to be vehicles for the deployment of paratroopers of any kind...most certainly the untrained, scared-sh*tless, never-jumped-before, kind. It takes time to get all those people off the plane, and safely, too.
      .
      +6

      The Chief

      by The Chief on May 17th, 2009

    • I don't mind the fall, but that sudden stop at the end of it is a real killer.

      Phillis - Zacks little sister

      by Phillis - Zacks little sister on May 17th, 2009

    • As The Tick once said after a long fall onto concrete pavement:
      .
      "Gravity is a harsh mistress!"

      The Chief

      by The Chief on May 17th, 2009

    • Our ticks don't talk. They glut, then leave. I always feel so drained and used afterwards.

      Phillis - Zacks little sister

      by Phillis - Zacks little sister on May 17th, 2009

    • Heh!
      .
      I was refering to an animated cartoon series!

      The Chief

      by The Chief on May 17th, 2009

    • I know. gtravels has me in a silly mood :)
      It's always somebody else's fault, ain't it??? That's my story, anyway :)

      Phillis - Zacks little sister

      by Phillis - Zacks little sister on May 17th, 2009

    • I'm down with that!

      The Chief

      by The Chief on May 17th, 2009

    • Agreed on all points. I would rather the weight/cost were spent on a sprinkler system than flotation devices. Fire is a far commoner risk than ditching, and it has been show that a relatively small amount of water can dramatically retard fire and, perhaps more importantly, slow smoke spread,

      Im Alec has abandoned this account

      by Im Alec has abandoned this account on May 27th, 2009

    • Wow, I didn't know that. Interesting! Thanks for posting it.

      Phillis - Zacks little sister

      by Phillis - Zacks little sister on May 27th, 2009

    • I'd be happier if we invested the time and money into modernizing and expanding our airport facilities to cope with the increasingly heavy traffic demands. Accidents will drop off then.
      .
      And then we should slap people who choose to buy homes near airports and then complain about the noise levels. Seems as silly to me as buying a home on the East Coast and then complaining whenever a hurricane comes along and wipes everything out every decade or so!
      .
      But that's a little bit off the subject, so pay me no mind!

      The Chief

      by The Chief on May 27th, 2009

    • You're right, chief. Let's build a million+ dollar home on a hillside and then cry hysterically at the unfairness of a mudslide.

      Phillis - Zacks little sister

      by Phillis - Zacks little sister on May 27th, 2009

    • Or on land below sea level and then not only get upset when a hurricane floods everything out, but insist on REBUILDING it! Even when the land is STILL sinking!
      .
      Make you wonder about evolution and survival of the fittest, doesn't it?
      .
      :):)

      The Chief

      by The Chief on May 27th, 2009

    • No, it makes me wonder about the fitness of New Oreans..........@_@
      *
      And here's a thought. If you have to take a boat to get to your front door, you might be French.
      *
      Hell, yes, it bothers me a great deal that wasted tax dollars don't go towards relocating displaced residents.

      Phillis - Zacks little sister

      by Phillis - Zacks little sister on May 27th, 2009

    • Heh!

      The Chief

      by The Chief on May 27th, 2009

    • Like
    • Report

    14 comments | Post one | Permalink

Want to attach an image to your answer? Click here.

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

You're reading Why are there flotation devices under plane seats, instead of parachutes?

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads