Why No One Should Swap Seats on a Plane

You board another long-haul flight and look for your seat. “26B – here we are!” You look down and see two burly guys sitting at 26A and C. "Oh wow..." Hmm... There are a lot of empty

seats

around... "It's time to change places!" But not so fast! You could put the entire

plane

at risk! First, you're probably not the only one looking to make the old switch. Even if only a few passengers did it, they could unbalance the

plane

! And since most aircraft are incredibly sensitive to changes in their center of gravity, this can have dramatic consequences. During takeoff, pilots must know the weight distribution in the aircraft to make accurate calculations.

If these calculations are even the slightest bit wrong, there is a chance that the plane will crash upon taking off from the ground. But even if the worst does not happen, pilots can still have serious problems controlling the plane after passengers change

seats

without informing the crew. For example, a pilot was barely able to get the plane into position after only 4 passengers left their assigned seats and moved to the front of the cabin. The situation was critical because the runway at that particular airport was unusually short. If something had gone wrong, the plane would not have been able to stop!

By the way, if airport staff load luggage incorrectly, for example in the rear compartment instead of the front, it can also upset the balance of the plane. In this case, the nose of the plane may pitch too quickly. You might think that would just help the plane take off, but an inaccurate takeoff can be an incredibly dangerous situation! In any case, that doesn't mean you can't change seats on the plane at all. But before you curl up somewhere more comfortable or spacious, ask a cabin crew member if you can do so. And don't be surprised or offended if they say no!

The “no seat jumping” rule is not the only one you

should

follow to have a safe flight. Here are a few others to keep in mind on your next trip to 30,000 feet! And if you can add anything to the list, leave your suggestions in the comments! - Always secure your tray table as soon as the airplane begins to move on the runway, and never lower it during takeoff and landing. It is a safety measure that ensures that you and other passengers will have a clear path in the event of an emergency evacuation. - Keep your seat upright during takeoff and landing.

Like a low tray table, a reclined seat can seriously slow down an evacuation as it will block the person sitting behind you. Not to mention, if your seat is tilted back, it will be nearly impossible for that person to get into the support position during a hard landing. - If you have a choice when booking a flight, opt for a larger plane. Aircraft with more than 30 seats are designed and certified under even stricter standards. If you are on a larger plane, you have a better chance of surviving a potential crash. - Remember that sitting near an emergency exit not only means more legroom but also more responsibility.

You will have to help other passengers evacuate the plane. That's why only healthy adults can occupy these seats. In addition, it is absolutely necessary that they read the safety cards on the emergency exits to know what to do if something goes wrong. - Follow the instructions of the cabin crew to open the window blinds during takeoff and landing. This way, flight attendants can see what's happening outside, assess the situation, and act quickly if something tells them an evacuation will be necessary. For example, smoke or fire may come from one of the engines. And if there is a fire outside an exit, they will know to redirect passengers to another door. - Fly non-stop and without connections if you can.

An overwhelming majority of airline accidents occur during the first 3 and last 8 minutes of the flight. In other words, that's during takeoff, climb, descent and landing. If there isn't a staggering price difference, fly non-stop. This way, you can not only shorten the duration of your trip but also reduce the risk of having an accident during those especially dangerous times. - Anything can happen during a flight. Make sure all devices you travel with have backup files on a separate hard drive or in the cloud. Suppose you could lose your electronic device at some point during your trip (and it doesn't necessarily have to be in an accident!). - Wearing appropriate clothing will reduce your risks during air travel.

Try to wear clothes made from natural fibers such as wool, cotton, leather, and denim. They will protect you better if there is a fire or evacuation. As for synthetic fabrics such as polyester or nylon, they melt easily when heated. Your clothes

should

also be comfortable and loose-fitting; you should be able to move freely with it. Opt for long sleeves and pants – they will cover as much of your body as possible and provide warmth and protection if needed. And lastly, pay attention to your footwear. High heels, flip flops and sandals are not permitted: you will be asked to remove them before leaving the plane via an escape slide.

That will only slow down your evacuation and put you at risk of cutting your feet on metal debris or broken glass. - Don't panic or complain when the cabin lights dim before a night takeoff and landing. It is a standard safety procedure that allows your eyes to adjust faster if there is an emergency evacuation. Imagine it this way: you are in a bright room full of different objects. Suddenly someone turns off the light and tells you to get out of this room as quickly as you can. You'd probably struggle, right? But if your eyes are already accustomed to the darkness, you will be able to spot exit signs and emergency lights in the hallway when the cabin fills with smoke or the power goes out. - Listen carefully to the cabin crew's instructions.

Always remember that these people are there for your safety. So if one of them asks you to do something, obey first and ask questions later. Also, never serve hot drinks like coffee or tea yourself. Flight attendants are trained to perform this task in the small, crowded aisles of a moving plane without accidentally burning you or other passengers. - Prepare a "race kit" and make sure it is with you at all times. Such a kit should contain your passport, wallet, cell phone, credit cards and cash, all necessary medications, and a list of emergency contacts. Most of these things are difficult to replace if they are lost in the hustle and bustle of an evacuation.

So keep them with you throughout the flight, like in your pocket or a fanny pack. As for your purse or that tote bag full of clothes and toiletries, leave it alone! Remember that during an evacuation, you have just 90 seconds to leave the plane. - Do not put heavy objects in the upper cabinets. They can fall during strong turbulence and injure you or other passengers. If you find it difficult to lift something and put it in the overhead compartment, it is better to store it under the seat in front of you or somewhere else. - People sitting near emergency exits may be required to read the safety instructions on the package of the seat in front of them, but you better do too!

Aircraft designs are very different, so you should know the main points of the plane you are on. In the worst case scenario, this knowledge can save your life. For the same reason, always listen to and observe the pre-flight safety briefing. - If you see any suspicious activity or strange-looking packages, immediately inform the cabin crew (if you are already on the plane) or a security officer (if you are still at the airport). Chances are it's nothing to worry about, but it's better to be safe than sorry. - It can be a waste of time looking for the safest seat on the plane because it probably doesn't exist.

Even if you are near an exit, it may not work after an accident. And while an aisle seat can give you quicker evacuation if something happens, you can also get hurt by objects falling from overhead bins. Well, that makes me really excited about flying. Seriously, think about it this way. The more prepared you are for something, the less likely it is to happen. I just invented. Sounds good? Hey, if you learned something new today, like the video and share it with a friend! And here are some other cool videos that I think you'll enjoy. Just click left or right and stay on the good side of life!