…I know people always complain about warnings and rules, the things that companies and governments put in place “for our own safety.” As if we were stupid. People sometimes ask: What are we, children? Once in awhile, though, you get a reminder of why they’re warning you (ignore the cynical side of me, that says they’re more worried about avoiding litigation than about keeping people safe for the “good feeling it gives them”).

For example, there’s that new-ish rule that you’re supposed to keep your seatbelt fastened at all times when seated, which admittedly is a bit odd…you don’t have to keep seated but you do have to keep your seatbelt on if you are! I believe this was put in place after a woman died (28 December, 1997) on a flight from Japan to the U.S. when a 747 hit bad turbulence and the woman slammed her head into the ceiling of the plane and was killed.

Maybe most people don’t know that story, so the rule seems to them like yet another bit of overcontrolling nonsense. However…a recent incident on Westjet, here in Canada reminded me of why this little precaution can be important. They try to give you warning, but they really can’t predict that kind of extreme turbulence. It’s no big deal, really — just slip the belt on (loosely) while you’re sitting down. Yes, if you happen to be on the way to the washroom, or just stretching your legs, when that killer bit of turbulence hits, you’re screwed anyhow…but these things are all about odds. It’s very unlikely to happen, but if there’s some simple thing you can do, why not protect yourself? Kind of like wearing a helmet while biking. Speaking of that: boy will I be the laughingstock of Barcelona when I go biking there with my helmet on… Nobody, but nobody there wears a helmet when biking (scootering, yes, though…it’s the law). On the other hand, I’ve had a bike fall where a helmet saved me, so I’m not about to let a bit of “shame” stop me from wearing it!

This entry was posted on Friday, September 7th, 2007 at 16h13 and is filed under Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.