Only Santa has a perfect safety record for air travel.
Santa's been too busy to give safety tips to the 43 million air travelers between Christmas and New Year's. But here are many crucial suggestions from Department of Transportation former inspector general Mary Schiavo, who has more than 30 years in the aviation industry -- first as a licensed pilot, and now as an aviation attorney.
-- The safest seats on the plane are those closest to the exits, usually over the wing or near the tail, statistics show.
-- Most accidents occur during takeoff or landing, so flying nonstop, if possible, cuts your risk in half.
-- Because take off and landing are the two most dangerous times of a flight, don’t take off your shoes until the plane reaches a cruising altitude; and put them on again when the pilot begins the descent. "You’ll be ready to react — and not looking for your shoes."
-- Wear long pants, which will provide more protection from fire and debris in case of a crash. They’ll also keep you warmer so you will not feel tempted to use the airline’s blankets -- "a hotbed for communicable diseases", as are their pillows, adds Schiavo.
-- A flashlight, your cell phone, money, and "a smoke hood are the most valuable items you can have in a crash." Keep them easily accessible to you at your seat, not in the overhead bin.
-- In case of a crash, place your feet under the seat you’re sitting in, not under or against the seat in front of you.
"A common misconception is that airline crashes are overwhelmingly fatal, but statistics show that on average, half of those onboard survive," according to Schiavo.
As for air passenger rights:
-- If your flight is delayed or canceled, most airlines are required to re-book you on the next available flight, even if it’s with a different carrier. Check the airline's Rule 260, found in the airline's contract of carriage, available on its website.
-- If your flight is delayed on the tarmac, most airlines can keep you confined to the plane only for a maximum three hours. After the three-hour mark, they must allow you to deplane. If you are plane-bound for more than two hours, the crew is required to provide you with adequate food and water.
These were excerpted from "The Safety Report" current article by Schiavo, a frequent TV commentator on airline safety issues.
For the Transportation Department's airline passenger protections, enhanced last April, click here.
The Transportation Department also issues a monthly Air Travel Consumer Report, with sections on flight delays, mishandled baggage, oversales, consumer complaints, and more.
Safe travel for the holidays and beyond.
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