Strict new hand luggage crackdown could hit Aussie travellers
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Most travellers have rolled their eyes at videos of plane passengers rushing off an emergency, laden with their carry on, all while filming a video.
While it’s always been the rule to leave everything behind if you have to evacuate, some fliers continue to defy the dangers, while also recording the drama for social media.
Strict new hand luggage rule could hit Aussie travellers iStock
Now a global crackdown could see the overhead bins be locked to stop passengers grabbing their bags.
The plan has been revealed by industry bosses, and it’s backed by Aussie authorities.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched a campaign called “save a life not a bag.”
“Passengers taking baggage during aircraft evacuations is not a new issue. But videos and reports shared across social and mainstream media continue to show that the risk remains real,” IATA said.
It says, “precious seconds” can be lost as people fumble for baggage.
As well as getting in the way of other passengers, suitcases can also wreck emergency slides too.
Aircraft evacuation procedures are designed around a 90-second safety benchmark which means everyone should be off within that time.
The organisation found in a survey 80 per cent of passengers claimed they knew how to handle an emergency, but only 61 per cent correctly said they should leave everything behind.
As well as getting in the way of other passengers, suitcases can also wreck emergency slides too. iStock
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General said: “Every second matters. Even taking one bag can affect the safe evacuation of everyone onboard.”
IATA said if the safety plan doesn’t work, it could look at the more severe measure of locking the overhead bins.
The campaign is backed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in America and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Speaking to nine.com.au, Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority also said it supports the campaign.
IATA said if the safety plan doesn’t work, it could look at the more severe measure of locking the overhead bins. iStock
“Passenger safety is a priority for CASA and our rules already require passengers to comply with cabin crew instructions relating to aircraft safety, particularly in life-threatening situations such as an evacuation,” a spokesman told nine.com.au.
“In addition, crew must brief passengers prior to take-off that cabin baggage must be left behind in the event of an emergency evacuation and that they must comply with any direction or instruction by cabin crew.
“We support the International Air Transport Association’s campaign and CASA’s approach is consistent with IATA’s message to prioritise lives and safety over possessions during evacuations.”
However, the spokesman said any proposed locking of overhead bins would be up to airlines and also subject to safety and regulatory requirements.
The IATA also advised passengers to keep personal items such as passports, keys and medication on them in case of an emergency.
That means they don’t have to try and find them in the short time they have to evacuate.
