Questions re: inflatable door slides and cockpit doors

[Ref Plus 10]

My understanding of the shoe issue is that if you are wearing high heels or pointy shoes they will ask you to remove them because of the high possibility of puncturing the chute.

Not so sure about the US Airlines no congregating policy. Sounds to me either paranoid or there's a chance someone may get bumped into the door handle if it gets too crowded.

[Rockie]

Shoes are to protect the slide. For the cockpit door they're minimizing the chance that a group of people can overwhelm someone coming out of the FD. Besides, people hanging around up there makes the rest of the natives nervous.

[Liquid Charlie]

To keep the way clear for the pilots 2 use the Lav -- -- also some crews are "packin" so it's for passenger safety --

They don't really care about the chutes -- strictly for egress -- stilettos simply are too much of a hindrance - either for maneuverability or risk of digging in on the the slide and people flipping and piling up at the bottom -- which usually happens anyway and it takes the first 4 or 5 to create enough of a cushion to eliminate injury during the rest of the evac

[CD]

If you had the opportunity to review the Final Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Air Ontario Crash at Dryden (and many other accident reports as well), you would realize that being without footwear while walking through wreckage is not a very good idea.

As Liquid Charlie implies, the removal of high-heel shoes is not so much to protect the slide anymore as they are pretty well constructed. Rather, there is a high probability that the heels would dig in or get caught, injuring the passenger and potentially causing a pile at the bottom of the slide.

What to wear

Dress appropriately for the conditions you may encounter. You may have to go outside to get on the airplane so shorts, tank tops and sandals are not likely to give you any protection against the elements of a typical Canadian winter.

The clothes you are wearing can also play a significant role in your safety. People wear synthetic blend fabrics because they are easy to maintain and do not wrinkle when spending a long time seated. However, these fabrics ignite quickly, shrink, melt and continue to burn even after the heat source is removed. In the unlikely event that the aircraft is evacuated, even pantyhose contribute to injuries, as they melt and cause burns from the friction generated with contact on the slide.

* Clothing made of natural fibres such as cotton, wool, denim and leather offer the best protection during an evacuation or fire. Synthetic fibres (rayon, poly/cotton and nylon, including pantyhose, wigs, hairpieces, scarves, ties and underwear) can become very hot and melt causing severe burns.
* Avoid leaving large areas of the body uncovered. Steer clear of shorts or skirts because they do not cover extremities. Wear non-restrictive clothing as this allows you greater movement.

Wearing suitable footwear can prevent the most common injuries to feet during accidents or emergencies. Keep your footwear on during the flight. In an emergency, finding your shoes will probably be one of the last things on your mind. Unprotected feet can slow departure from the airplane once outside. Imagine trying to walk through jet fuel, possibly on fire, broken glass, or sharp metal fragments without shoes to protect your feet.

* Wear fully enclosed low-heeled shoes or boots that have laces or straps.
* Avoid sandals and high-heeled dress shoes. High-heeled dress shoes will have to be removed before using the escape slide.

Passenger TIPS - What To Wear

[Troubleshot]

Shoe removal is not required for slide certification in Canada or the US, so I would say the slide can handle it, even if some Ho has got her clear heals on. The slides themselves are made of urethane-coated nylon that is sprayed with gray aluminized(sp?) paint (which is just a heat reflector) They are tough, no doubt about.

[BoostedNihilist]

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[CD]

As far as I can tell, there's a stupid double-standard in place. Personally, I wouldn't follow a crew member's instruction to remove them.

Well, unless you're wearing a pair of these, you shouldn't have to worry about it.



There is a photo of a similar shoe laying in the debris from the Air France A340-300 accident in Toronto.

[oldtimer]

I don't think it is the cockpit door they are concerned about. It is the door to the loo, the crapper, the toilet. People bunch up and the relieved cannot get back to their seats.

[rightseatwonder]

I believe that the congregation rule is for security reasons. Where I work (maybe a CARS/FAA rule?) Its only required by law to make that announcement while on a flight that is departing for or landing in the USA. I think it was mentioned that its so that a group cannot overwhelm a crew member exiting or entering the flight deck. I know where I work, we are required to have a F/A "guard" the forward galley while we re-enter the fd regardless that we are in or out of the USA.

makes me feel special though! lol