Motley Rice HOME

Safe Flying Tips

Despite the common perception that airline crashes are overwhelmingly fatal, the truth is that most accidents occur during take-off or landing, near the airport, and statistics say that some or all of those on board will survive. While fighting for safer skies, we aim to raise awareness regarding the many safety guidelines that passengers themselves can control.

Tips from Motley Rice attorney Mary Schiavo include the following:

Booking Your Flight

  • Buy your ticket in the United States or with a credit card issued in the United States.
  • Originate your ticketing and travel in the United States even if you have all foreign segments on your ticket.
  • Fly only on carriers of developed nations. Developed nations are more likely to have safety oversight and legal systems that value their citizens and protect the rights of those harmed or wronged by their nation's carriers or manufacturers.
  • Avoid African, Russian (former Soviet Union), Middle Eastern or Latin American carriers. If you've never heard of it, don't fly on it.
  • Use a travel agency with a 24-hour desk. They are often faster on re-booking.
  • Don't travel "with" someone you don't want to be "found" with. Not that you'd ever do this, but now that airlines "keep book" on you, divorce attorneys can have a field day.
  • Check your tickets twice to make sure that all information exactly matches your passport and drivers license.
  • Do not have your credit card linked to your bank account. You're giving bank account information to airlines - local or international.
  • The statistically safest seats on an aircraft are those nearest the greatest concentration of exit doors, usually over the wing or near the tail depending on the aircraft.
  • Flying non-stop will cut your risk of accidents in half. Most accidents occur on take-off and during landing.
  • Size and age do matter. Get the biggest, newest aircraft you can book.
  • Pick jet service over propeller service. Statistically it's safer and better in icing.
  • Reconsider letting your child fly alone. It's legal from age five and older, but children have been misconnected and molested in the care of airlines. If you must let them fly alone, teach them precautions.

Preparing for Your Flight

  • Put liquids, 3 oz. or less, in one clear quart-size bag. Also, watch out for golf bags and golf shoes; fertilizer will set off explosive detection equipment.
  • Use ONLY ONE credit card for travel. Keep a back-up card in a separate location in case your wallet is stolen.
  • Leave a copy of all identification documentation and credit/bank cards (front and back) at home, with a relative, or with your office assistant.
  • Whether in weather? Let's face it: planes crash most often in bad weather. If you can wait it out, the statistics (and your stomach) reward you.

On the Plane

  • Keep money, a cell phone, smoke hood and flashlight with you at your seat, even better - in a handy bag to grab.
  • Wear sensible shoes and long pants. Long pants will give you an extra layer of protection from debris and fire. Although many remove shoes for comfort, you should wait until you are at cruising altitude. An unexpected accident on takeoff or landing will not allow you time to locate and put them back on, affecting your chances of escaping to safety.
  • Place infants in a car seat or a harness like Baby B'air if you are on a limited budget. Such harnesses are an FAA approved garment that will secure your child in your lap during flight.
  • If instructed to brace for a crash, tuck and brace your feet beneath the seat, not in front of you. Positioning yourself in this way can minimize the risk of your own legs injuring you. If you have a recorder or cell phone camera, turn it on. Having a record of the actual events of what went wrong can serve as evidence if needed and can also serve as evidence for altercations that are not your fault.
  • Save yourself - get up and run. There are many flammable/explosive materials in aircraft that could ignite once the craft has downed. If you are able, get yourself to safety. Do not stay frozen and assume that authorities will rescue you. They often don't.
  • Do not drink a plane's tap water; drink bottled water only. Don't put the plane's blankets or pillows on your face. These are hot beds of communicable diseases. Because no regulations require airlines to wash the blankets, replace paper pillowcases, disinfect or wipe the tray tables or clean their water tanks, they often harbor bacteria, viruses and pesticides.
  • Walk at least once every two hours to avoid Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).

Passenger Rights: Handling Cancellations and Delays

  • If you are on a plane and your flight is delayed or canceled, call from the plane and book a back-up flight immediately. The airline carrier will require a credit card to confirm your reservation. If you call and reserve your space, airlines are required to put you on that flight, or if you miss it, the next available flight at no extra cost. Otherwise, those who paid the most for their tickets are given priority in re-booking.
  • Memorize Rule 260 of the Airline Rule Guide concerning passenger rights and courtesies: "Re-book me on the next flight, even if it's on another carrier.
  • Airlines keep book on you, so be careful what you do or say. Many keep a record of your travels and troubles and put things you say in their computer records.
  • Memorize the Hotel Rule 240 of the Airline Rule Guide which states that airlines are not required to give you an airline-paid hotel room if the delay is due to a Force Majeure Event (like weather). However, most major carriers do give you one night lodging for "schedule irregularities" such as the plane is broken, or the crew is over duty time limits.
  • Say it with a smile. There are massive numbers of false charges by airlines. A few harsh words can result in false charges for assault on a crew member and a black mark on your passenger name record, or even the no-fly list. Never threaten and do not touch airline employees.
  • Lower your expectations and be patient. Air travel is now a mature and saturated industry in which all airlines are very much alike. Therefore, customers have no airline loyalty. Airline service is no longer a luxury, but a commodity; therefore, the hand towel and white glove treatment has switched to handcuffs and rubber gloves. The high rollers are on private jets, and airlines know it.