# Do you know how to use the seatbelt on an airplane? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 30, 2012, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-how-to-use-the-seatbelt-on-an-airplane/626851 "2012-06-30T21:26:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-how-to-use-the-seatbelt-on-an-airplane/626851/41 "2015-08-27T12:36:04Z")
Do they need to add vaping? ---
**Author:** ![timtak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@timtak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/timtak)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-how-to-use-the-seatbelt-on-an-airplane/626851/42 "2015-08-27T12:37:29Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > We call them airplanes. We call you yanks šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-how-to-use-the-seatbelt-on-an-airplane/626851/43 "2015-08-27T12:41:29Z")
> [@timtak](#): > > We call you yanks šŸ™‚ Pip pip, old bean! Cheerio. _raises pint_ ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-how-to-use-the-seatbelt-on-an-airplane/626851/44 "2015-08-27T13:37:22Z")
Iā€™ve learned to live with them; heck, Iā€™ve flown so much I can probably do the briefing myself if called upon. That said, as others have before, it is for legal and regulatory reasons we get the spiel, and I donā€™t see that changing as long as we have bureaucrats and lawyers (which means forever). Still, some airlines are creative in their presentation, especially those that use film (usually on more modern planes with individual screens). Without a doubt my favorite one is this from Air New Zealand: [An Unexpected Briefing #AirNZSafetyVideo - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBlRbrB_Gnc) ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-how-to-use-the-seatbelt-on-an-airplane/626851/45 "2015-08-27T13:59:30Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > Still, some airlines are creative in their presentation, especially those that use film (usually on more modern planes with individual screens). Without a doubt my favorite one is this from Air New Zealand: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBlRbrB\_Gnc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBlRbrB_Gnc) ā€œFly, you fools!ā€ šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-how-to-use-the-seatbelt-on-an-airplane/626851/46 "2015-08-27T14:30:09Z")
> [@timtak](#): > > ā€¦I would be bounced back and forth between my seat and the one in front like one of Newtonā€™s ballsā€¦ How very painful that must have been for Newton. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-how-to-use-the-seatbelt-on-an-airplane/626851/47 "2015-08-27T16:26:09Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > You know what else I donā€™t need to hear? That smoking is prohibited everywhere on the plane. Not only do they say exactly that, they reiterate it several times throughout the spiel. > > ā€œSmoking is prohibited.ā€ > ā€œDonā€™t smoke in the restroom.ā€ > ā€œDonā€™t tamper with the anti-smoking device in the restroom.ā€ > > Smoking hasnā€™t been allowed on flights for going on 30 years now. WE GET IT. IIRC the smoking in restroom message and tampering with smoke detector message were added when someone did both - and caused a fire. Addicts are addicts. Southwest also has amusing messages at times, depending on the crew. My objection to seat belt messages is that they might cause people to zone out and miss the important stuff. And I donā€™t recall them telling us how to remove the belts, but I might have zoned out by then. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2015, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-how-to-use-the-seatbelt-on-an-airplane/626851/48 "2015-08-28T00:17:05Z")
The standard shoulder-and-lap belt, as used in most modern cars, is a pain in the . . . . . . armpit. If I wear it over the shoulder (like youā€™re 'sposed to) it lands right on my neck and strangles me. So I put it under my armpit. Actually, itā€™s comfortable enough, but Iā€™m pretty sure weā€™re not supposed to do that. I really prefer the four-point harness of which **Broomstick** writes, as commonly seen in small aircraft, private planes, gliders, etc. They really go over the shoulders, not the neck. (Iā€™d rather be flying anyway.) And, for a few extra bucks, you can get them for your car! I just might do that. [Link, with photo showing what a four-point harness looks like.](http://new.minimania.com/part/G2NMI5160-P/4-point-Safety-Harness-Seatbelt-Bolt-in---R50-52-53-55-56-57-Mini-Cooper--S) TL;DR: There are four belts: the two-part lap belt like in older cars, and two shoulder straps, one coming down over each shoulder, straight down to the lap buckle. ---
**Author:** ![timtak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@timtak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/timtak)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2015, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-how-to-use-the-seatbelt-on-an-airplane/626851/49 "2015-08-28T03:07:56Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > I really prefer the four-point harness of which **Broomstick** writes, as commonly seen in small aircraft, private planes, gliders, etc. They really go over the shoulders, not the neck. (Iā€™d rather be flying anyway.) > > And, for a few extra bucks, you can get them for your car! I just might do that. > > [Link, with photo showing what a four-point harness looks like.](http://new.minimania.com/part/G2NMI5160-P/4-point-Safety-Harness-Seatbelt-Bolt-in---R50-52-53-55-56-57-Mini-Cooper--S) TL;DR: There are four belts: the two-part lap belt like in older cars, and two shoulder straps, one coming down over each shoulder, straight down to the lap buckle. I believe the cabin crew use 4 point harnesses on rearward facing seats. For no good reason, I get a bit scared in planes and think I would prefer to sit like the cabin crew. I canā€™t find stats on the relative survival rate of cabin crew vs passengers but I also read > **[The Survivors Club](https://books.google.co.jp/books?id=h0vL7ZPS6QkC&pg=PT53&lpg=PT53&dq=%22survival%2Brate%22%2B%22cabin%2Bcrew%22&source=bl&ots=5h0yZ_bhj0&sig=Op3bwVrEQChx5J7_S9lUK4DujHc&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CDgQ6AEwBWoVChMIteHQ_uTKxwIVBqiUCh1u-wDw#v=onepage&q=%22survival%20rate%22%20%22cabin%20crew%22&f=false)** > > Do you believe in miracles?This collection of extraordinary tales of survival is guaranteed to astound and inspire you in equal measure. Meet ordinary people who have found extraordinary strengths facing seemingly impossible challenges - like the... that it is better to sit in the back of the plane, and within 5 rows of an exit. I shall ask for a seat in the last five rows next time I am given the choice. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2015, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-how-to-use-the-seatbelt-on-an-airplane/626851/50 "2015-08-28T04:29:34Z")
> [@timtak](#): > > . . . that it is better to sit in the back of the plane . . . So when the plane nosedives into a six-foot crater of its own making, youā€™ll be one of the last to go. ---
**Author:** ![timtak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@timtak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/timtak)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2015, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-how-to-use-the-seatbelt-on-an-airplane/626851/51 "2015-08-28T04:56:24Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > So when the plane nosedives into a six-foot crater of its own making, youā€™ll be one of the last to go. So that you have a twenty percent better chance of surviving a crash (67% vs 49%) than those at the front in business class. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2015, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-how-to-use-the-seatbelt-on-an-airplane/626851/52 "2015-08-28T05:51:10Z")
I know how to use seatbelts in aircraft. Theyā€™re not much different from the seatbelts I remember in my Dadā€™s 1962 Mercury. Insert one end into the other, and push until you hear a ā€œclick.ā€ Pull the slack end to tighten. Lift the flap to open. Easy-peasy! ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2015, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-how-to-use-the-seatbelt-on-an-airplane/626851/53 "2015-08-28T06:06:56Z")
Not only do I know how to use an airplane seat belt, I know how to use their extender seat belt (which I usually need now since Iā€™m a, uh, fairly big guy). Their extender is this loose thing, totally separate from the seat, that they hand you with a ā€œreceiverā€ part and ā€œenteringā€ part, that you use to clip the ā€œenteringā€ part into the seats usual ā€œreceiverā€ part and the extenders ā€œreceiverā€ part into the seats usual ā€œenteringā€ part. Itā€™s obviously not rocket science, but it does entail a few extra steps. ETA: [Hereā€™s what one looks like.](http://cabincrewsafety.com/stock/images/84000010.jpg) All planes have them and all you have to do is ask for one if you want one as soon as you boardā€¦but since most people donā€™t need one, Iā€™m guessing most people donā€™t know all planes have a few of them for their ā€œbiggerā€ passengers. ---
**Author:** ![timtak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@timtak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/timtak)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2015, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-how-to-use-the-seatbelt-on-an-airplane/626851/54 "2015-08-28T06:32:54Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > Not only do I know how to use an airplane seat belt, I know how to use their extender seat belt (which I usually need now since Iā€™m a, uh, fairly big guy). > > Their extender is this loose thing, totally separate from the seat, that they hand you with a ā€œreceiverā€ part and ā€œenteringā€ part, that you use to clip the ā€œenteringā€ part into the seats usual ā€œreceiverā€ part and the extenders ā€œreceiverā€ part into the seats usual ā€œenteringā€ part. > > Itā€™s obviously not rocket science, but it does entail a few extra steps. > > ETA: [Hereā€™s what one looks like.](http://cabincrewsafety.com/stock/images/84000010.jpg) > All planes have them and all you have to do is ask for one if you want one as soon as you boardā€¦but since most people donā€™t need one, Iā€™m guessing most people donā€™t know all planes have a few of them for their ā€œbiggerā€ passengers. I never knew. I wonder if there, or could be, a product that clips onto the plane seat belt , and or perhaps seat, providing more support. Yes, there is such a product, but only it seems for children. > **[KidsFlySafe.com - AmSafe](https://www.amsafe.com/kidsflysafe-com/)** > > Aviation Child Safety Device ertified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an alternative to a car seat. Further, the reason why such products are only for children of weight up to 20Kg is because if large persons used such a product, being attached to the seat, it would cause the seat to bend forward in a crash, which would negatively effect the brace position of the person attempting to put their head on the back of your seat behind you. Hence, the FAA will not approve such products for adults. From the FAQ "The reason for the height and weight restrictions is the FAAā€™s concern that with a heavier traveler strapped to a seat back the seat would tilt forward more quickly in a short stop, causing the person sitting behind the seat not to be able to brace himself. Airplane seat backs are designed to ā€œgiveā€ when pressure is applied with bracing. This is important for the safety of the person sitting behind you. The FAA placed the height and weight restrictions to make sure that all passengers would be covered in the event of an emergency." Also I did not know that a brace position required that I push myself into the seat before me to the point that ā€œgivesā€ but I guess in the event of a crash I would be so stressed out I would be doing this and I guess it stands to reason. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-how-to-use-the-seatbelt-on-an-airplane/626851.md?page=2)