- NEW!
by Phillis - Zacks little sister on May 17th, 2009
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!
by That Guy Again on May 27th, 2009
The above reasons and because Skydiving is more than just yelling Geronimo.
If the pilot can maintain control long enough, at a low enough airspeed for people to stampede each other queued for the doors, well then he or she can maintain slow flight long enough to make a safe landing.
It's also unfortunate when someone accidently snags a D-ring and the victim isn't at the door yet. The chute will find it's way out of the door while the cords can slice the aluminum fuselage open like a hot knife through butter while the chute pulls the cadaver through the empenage.
by JakobA I^_^I the alooney on May 17th, 2009
As Anonumous says http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/6520221
Also it is quite rare for planes to actually plummet to earth entirely out of control. You plan for the likelier event first.
What would you do if there was a sleeping baby on your plane and you haven't cried for 2 days?
by Andy B has left AB on October 13th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
Has radar technology in commercial aircraft really become more advanced or changed much in technical terms over the last 30 years?
by NiCkIzBacK on June 8th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
Would you rather fly in an airplane or a helocopter?
by I gave her a wink and a smile on October 13th, 2011
| 3 people like this
How is Air Force One started? I know big planes don't have keys, but this is Air Force One. Shouldn't there be a key/code, something?
by Serenit E_N on September 4th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
Can you say that you have gone up in more airplanes than you have come down in? I can!
by Texaspete on June 30th, 2011
| 3 people like this
You're reading Why are there flotation devices under plane seats, instead of parachutes?
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Comments
Bingo!
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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.
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+6
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.
by Phillis - Zacks little sister on May 17th, 2009
As The Tick once said after a long fall onto concrete pavement:
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"Gravity is a harsh mistress!"
by The Chief on May 17th, 2009
Our ticks don't talk. They glut, then leave. I always feel so drained and used afterwards.
by Phillis - Zacks little sister on May 17th, 2009
Heh!
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I was refering to an animated cartoon series!
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 :)
by Phillis - Zacks little sister on May 17th, 2009
I'm down with that!
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,
by Im Alec has abandoned this account on May 27th, 2009
Wow, I didn't know that. Interesting! Thanks for posting it.
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.
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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!
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But that's a little bit off the subject, so pay me no mind!
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.
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!
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Make you wonder about evolution and survival of the fittest, doesn't it?
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:):)
by The Chief on May 27th, 2009
No, it makes me wonder about the fitness of New Oreans..........@_@
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And here's a thought. If you have to take a boat to get to your front door, you might be French.
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Hell, yes, it bothers me a great deal that wasted tax dollars don't go towards relocating displaced residents.
by Phillis - Zacks little sister on May 27th, 2009
Heh!
by The Chief on May 27th, 2009