TRAVELERS in the US are being urged not to bring bags on flights after airline officials issued a “safety-critical” alert.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says carry-on luggage increases the risk of injury or death in the event of an emergency evacuation.
Passengers who bring bags on board put themselves and others at risk, said the FFA.
Earlier this year, American Airlines Flight 3023 was evacuated in Denver with news reports showing passengers going down the slide – carrying multiple bags.
This practice, said the administration, is particularly challenging in “high stress” situations.
In a safety directive statement posted on the FAA website, officials are recommending that all operators reevaluate their boarding procedures and messaging services.
Operators are also being urged to review staff and safety procedures.
This includes improving crew training and updating pre-boarding safety announcements for passengers.
Potential hazards
Issued on September 16, the notice outlined the potential hazards in the event of an emergency.
It stated: “This SAFO [Safety Alert For Operators] serves to emphasize the operational and safety-critical importance of strict passenger compliance with crewmember instructions during emergency evacuations.
“Specifically, it addresses the adverse effects of passengers attempting to evacuate with carry-on items, which can significantly impede evacuation procedures and increase the potential for injury or fatality.”
Officials said passengers who fail to comply with the no-baggage evacuation rule “introduce elevated injury and fatality risk”.
This, said the FFA, is at its most critical due to crowding in the aisles and baggage blocking exits.
The statement continued: “Operators should evaluate their emergency evacuation procedures, training and emergency announcements and commands to address passenger non-compliance particularly in relation to carry-on item retrieval.
“A coordinated approach rooted in regulatory compliance, operational best practice, and clear public communication may contribute significantly to reducing evacuation times and preserving life in time-critical emergencies.”
In a bid to educate passengers, the FAA has issued the following advice for operators, which includes ensuring safety briefings and instructing passengers to leave all belongings behind in the event of an evacuation.
Operators are also being asked to use “standardized, concise messaging stating that all bags or personal belongings must be left behind with no exceptions”.
Passenger risks
The FAA highlighted other risks of passengers evacuating with baggage.
This includes “trip, slip, and fall hazards, particularly in high-stress, low-visibility environments,” and “damage to evacuation slides,” which could prevent others from evacuating safely.
Other improvements the FAA has asked operators to use include using universally recognizable symbols or pictograms to convey messages across language barriers.
Messaging, added the FAA, can also help.
It added operators should incorporate messaging that appeals to collective responsibility and promotes the idea that everyone leaves bags behind.
