BA 777 on fire at LAS

[MEL_Traveller]

Perhaps I've misunderstood how it works, but evacuations do not proceed in a calm, quiet, orderly manner with a polite overhead announcement. There is an extremely loud "EVACUATE! EVACUATE! EVACUATE!" announcement played repeatedly and it is basically get the f*ck out of your seat and get the f*ck out of the plane. Surely the survival instinct should override the instinct to grab those last minute duty free purchases or your favourite DKNY clutch.

As I mentioned up thread, passengers on the OZ crash at SFO retrieved their cabin baggage. In that case there was a massive impact, the interior sustained damage, and there was fire. But people still took their bags.

So I think there is more to it than simply 'survival' mode. Unless maybe fire or water (Hudson) is lapping at your heels.

In other cases, there have been evacuations that have been fairly orderly, particularly where passengers may not have appreciated the danger. As for the repeated 'evacuate' message - I not sure about that one, although I can't speak for all airlines around the world. From what I understand the command is issued (if possible) from the flight deck. But it's not a repeated automatic message. Passengers need to be able to hear instructions from cabin crew. There are also cases where cabin crew will initiate an evacuation in the absence of any message or command from the flight deck.

 

[jackthomas]

Absolutely brilliant job done by the BA crew and the staff at LAS. Looked like a very quick evacuation and response to me.
Nigel the pilot seemed perfect in every sense, exactly what you need when a crisis arises and cool heads prevail.

FWIW I'm in the change into PJ's on boarding brigade as some of you on here may well know

I'd have to remove my footwear to use an evacuation slide though

After this incident I'm going to look into having my passport and wallet in a pouch instead of loose in my cabin holder/pocket things.

I hold my passport, emergency cards and folded express cards in a little pouch that can tuck into a jacket or side of a J seat bench. Easy to grab and keeps it all together.

Great to see the fast and efficient reaction from staff and crew... No comment as for all the PAX with baggage :evil:

 

[JohnM]

My passport, all CCs, MDL etc, are all together in my BellRoy passport wallet which is in the pocket of the pants I still have on, along with my shoes, while my phone is in my other pocket, until the seatbelt sign goes off. Only then is it shoes off and PJs on.

The only thing that is down at seat level with me and not on my body is my iPad. That can burn AFIAC.

 

[opusman]

The only thing that is down at seat level with me and not on my body is my iPad. That can burn AFIAC.

There's a new model out every 6 months anyway

 

[JohnM]

There's a new model out every 6 months anyway

Exactly - but not one of moi! :shock:

 

[docjames]

My passport, all CCs, MDL etc, are all together in my BellRoy passport wallet which is in the pocket of the pants I still have on, along with my shoes, while my phone is in my other pocket, until the seatbelt sign goes off. Only then is it shoes off and PJs on.

The only thing that is down at seat level with me and not on my body is my iPad. That can burn AFIAC.

Exactly my approach - anything that needs to get out of the aircraft is in my pockets. Passport, wallet, phone is pretty much it. Rest of it can burn and be replaced.

Shoes on and "normal" clothes (incl long sleeve shirt) until seatbelt sign off.

 

[flychrisfly]

So, I've been good and evacuated without my hand luggage or my iPad in the seat pocket, the fire is out without any major damage, so how do I get my bags both checked and unchecked and other bits and pieces (including passport)? Or do they now become evidence in the investigation?

 

[harvyk]

So, I've been good and evacuated without my hand luggage or my iPad in the seat pocket, the fire is out without any major damage, so how do I get my bags both checked and unchecked and other bits and pieces (including passport)? Or do they now become evidence in the investigation?

Depending on the damage to the aircraft and how easy it is to access, I do believe they try and get things back to their rightful owners ASAP (Although ASAP could still mean many hours or even days). If that is not possible, usually the airline will provide assistance to replace essentials quickly if the items could not be taken off the plane (it would be a PR disaster for any airline which didn't provide such assistance), and finally there is also travel insurance whom depending on the policy will replace items.

 

[mjgriffo]

Having a background in emergency response i will always show my respect by watching and listening to my flight emergency briefing. Muscle memory plays it's part and from first hand experience seeing and doing something 100 times over only helps out when the true moment occurs.

Some food for thought..

Totally agree, Turbo-g. I also come from emergency services background, and repeat training in HUET (Helicopter Underwater Escape Training) depended on that muscle memory, including practicing the process in your mind.

Any time I get on a passenger jet I do a few things religiously:

1) check that my life jacket is actually under my seat (once it wasn't on a domestic east coast triangle flight);
2) count the seats to exits both ways and actually imagine walking along the isle with my hands on the seat tops, counting them; and
3) always, *always* pay attention during the briefing. The cabin crew are there primarily for our safety, and they deserve your attention and respect - no matter how regularly you fly.

This isn't about fear, it is entirely about the Louis Pasteur saying "chance favours the prepared mind". For the same reason, I take my noise cancelling headphones off during take off and approach / landing.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Totally agree, Turbo-g. I also come from emergency services background, and repeat training in HUET (Helicopter Underwater Escape Training) depended on that muscle memory, including practicing the process in your mind.

Any time I get on a passenger jet I do a few things religiously:

1) check that my life jacket is actually under my seat (once it wasn't on a domestic east coast triangle flight);
2) count the seats to exits both ways and actually imagine walking along the isle with my hands on the seat tops, counting them; and
3) always, *always* pay attention during the briefing. The cabin crew are there primarily for our safety, and they deserve your attention and respect - no matter how regularly you fly.

This isn't about fear, it is entirely about the Louis Pasteur saying "chance favours the prepared mind". For the same reason, I take my noise cancelling headphones off during take off and approach / landing.

Good Tips, also be aware of the small indentations on the overhead bin doors at the over-wing exits

 

[Meggsy]

Classic fuel fed fire if ever I saw one

 

[Walter_Plinge]

Classic fuel fed fire if ever I saw one

That's why exit row passengers get a personal safety briefing.

 

[mannej]

That's why exit row passengers get a personal safety briefing.

Not on all exit rows though.

 

[Turbo-g]

That's why exit row passengers get a personal safety briefing.

Exactly, except on my VA flight yesterday afternoon, where the attendant recited the emergency action briefing to the front rows but not us seated in the second emergency rows. She was somewhat rushed but we all stopped her and made her recite it to us, much to her shock, not sure if the shock was that she forgot to brief the second rows or that we had asked to hear it. We were on a charter from a mine so all from the same company, hence we are comfortable with confronting the potential safety situation even though 'we've heard it a hundred times'. This 777 incident was also discussed among us on the row and how ironic it was that the briefing was missed.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Not on all exit rows though.

passenger operated exits with no crew member stationed = briefing. exits with crew members = no briefing.

 

[mannej]

passenger operated exits with no crew member stationed = briefing. exits with crew members = no briefing.

Correct - Hence the correction to the statement that all exit row passengers get the briefing.

 

[RooFlyer]

<snip>
Having a background in emergency response i will always show my respect by watching and listening to my flight emergency briefing. Muscle memory plays it's part and from first hand experience seeing and doing something 100 times over only helps out when the true moment occurs.

Some food for thought..

In the same boat. Which is more than can be said for this paxing Air Canada flight attendant today; had her nose in the newspaper like (almost) everyone else in the J cabin during the safety demo. OK, she would know the routine by heart, you would expect, but equally you might expect paxing crew to set an example.

 

[legroom]

If you are in a wheelchair, or otherwise immobile, the cabin crew will get you out, even going down the slide with you if necessary. But, they will do this after the main rush of passengers have gone. It won't take long, as long as the entire process isn't slowed by those getting their luggage out of the lockers.!@!

It's not very often we get to see JB resorting to '!@!' to express his thoughts.

JB

Would you mind taking us through the scenarios of what might have occurred had the aircraft been airborne but not at cruising altitude, say just cleared the runway or 3-5 min later ?

What would be your options to stabilize the plane then vis a vis at cruising altitude ? IIRC, QF 32 occurred at cruising altitude.

Land at all costs ?

Thanks

 

[mjgriffo]

In the same boat. Which is more than can be said for this paxing Air Canada flight attendant today; had her nose in the newspaper like (almost) everyone else in the J cabin during the safety demo. OK, she would know the routine by heart, you would expect, but equally you might expect paxing crew to set an example.

View attachment 55426

not to mention that if the safety brief is occurring then they are probably taxiing, with the window shades down.

 

[RooFlyer]

not to mention that if the safety brief is occurring then they are probably taxiing, with the window shades down.

I've brought that up before. Window shades aren't a safety thing in USA and Canada.