How Wearing Headphones on a Flight Can Endanger Your Safety
Flying can be a stressful and tedious experience at the best of times, so it’s no wonder we turn to our gadgets for distraction. But passengers may want to think twice about putting on headphones before a flight, because it may make all the difference in an emergency, according to air crew.
Why It’s Important to Stay Alert During Flights
Gate changes can be announced over the airport loudspeaker, and missing this critical information while jamming out to your favorite tunes on Spotify could cause mayhem for your getaway. Jonnie Lane, a Delta Air Lines flight attendant of 16 years, emphasizes the importance of paying attention, stating, “There’s a potential to miss critical information that can really affect the way your travel day goes.”
The Importance of Safety Briefings and Following Instructions
Once aboard the flight, the crew will run through the all too familiar safety briefing, showing you how to fasten your seatbelt and where the emergency exits are. Experienced flyers may feel entitled to tune this out, but it’s crucial to remove your headphones and listen to them, even if you’ve heard it all before. Nick Leighton, host of etiquette podcast Were You Raised By Wolves?, highlights the significance of this, stating, “That is a courtesy, and also just for safety.”
Team Effort and Passenger Courtesy
Leighton further adds, “It would be nice that everybody did pay attention, because every aircraft is a little different. Getting off an airplane in 90 seconds or less does actually require team effort.” Lane agrees, expressing frustration at being ignored, as he is primarily there for the safety of passengers.
Other Important Tips from Plane Crew
To ensure a safe and pleasant flight experience, it’s essential to pay attention to the instructions provided by the airline crew. Ignoring safety briefings and important announcements can put not only your safety but also the safety of others at risk. Stay attentive, stay safe, and enjoy your flight without compromising on safety.