# Is it true that if you jump on an airplane you'll die? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 2, 2011, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-if-you-jump-on-an-airplane-youll-die/566157 "2011-01-02T18:58:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-if-you-jump-on-an-airplane-youll-die/566157/61 "2011-01-03T16:32:32Z")
> [@Fubaya](#): > > In the old days, planes had a “passenger trap” in the tapered “cone” shaped part of the rear of the plane to catch passengers who jumped or otherwise lost their footing during flight. They were meant to decelerate the passenger in the hopes that they may survive and they were fairly effective. When a passenger didn’t survive, the pilots would report that they had an “ice cream cone” aboard. This was code to alert the airport to have emergency services standing by to recover the remains of the passenger from the rear cone of the plane. These specialists were given the nickname “ice cream scoopers.” Of course, these passenger traps were phased out after the cones of the planes were ordered to be filled in by the FAA following the events of 1971 (and I don’t think anybody needs to be reminded of what happened in 1971). Now it’s just a solid wall, and, according to a Mythbusters episode I watched, it’s nearly impossible to survive hitting it. An arresting theory, sir. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-if-you-jump-on-an-airplane-youll-die/566157/62 "2011-01-03T17:07:15Z")
> [@Fubaya](#): > > In the old days, planes had a “passenger trap” in the tapered “cone” shaped part of the rear of the plane to catch passengers who jumped or otherwise lost their footing during flight. They were meant to decelerate the passenger in the hopes that they may survive and they were fairly effective. When a passenger didn’t survive, the pilots would report that they had an “ice cream cone” aboard. This was code to alert the airport to have emergency services standing by to recover the remains of the passenger from the rear cone of the plane. These specialists were given the nickname “ice cream scoopers.” Of course, these passenger traps were phased out after the cones of the planes were ordered to be filled in by the FAA following the events of 1971 (and I don’t think anybody needs to be reminded of what happened in 1971). Now it’s just a solid wall, and, according to a Mythbusters episode I watched, it’s nearly impossible to survive hitting it. The pilots developed a nearly unbreakable code to identify the race of the passengers. Some were “vanilla ice cream cones” others were “chocolate ice cream cones”. The entire code was deemed a state secret by then President Nixon. The National Archives is scheduled to release the code in 2021 (50 years after the event of 1971). Then and only then will we understand what a “rocky road with sprinkles” ice cream cone was. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-if-you-jump-on-an-airplane-youll-die/566157/63 "2011-01-03T17:11:02Z")
> [@simster](#): > > In an airplane - you are inside of the item in question - away from the affects of wind resistance, etc. Could you describe the wind resistance? Is there any particular sound associated with it? ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-if-you-jump-on-an-airplane-youll-die/566157/64 "2011-01-03T17:19:23Z")
Goes _“woooooooooooooosh.”_ ---
**Author:** ![Gedd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gedd/32/4938_2.png) [@Gedd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gedd)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-if-you-jump-on-an-airplane-youll-die/566157/65 "2011-01-03T17:27:16Z")
> [@Fubaya](#): > > Now it’s just a solid wall, and, according to a Mythbusters episode I watched, it’s nearly impossible to survive hitting it. Unfortunately for some earlier posters they also busted the idea that jumping just before an elevator hits the ground will keep you safe. So now **Dewey Finn** doesn’t have to try that one. It’s also a little known secret that the planes actually get there faster than you think; they just make it seem longer so they can charge more. Check Wikileaks next week for classified documents on this 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-if-you-jump-on-an-airplane-youll-die/566157/66 "2011-01-03T17:31:26Z")
Although, as it happens, I do plan to be in an elevator later today . . . ---
**Author:** ![Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superfluous_Parentheses)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-if-you-jump-on-an-airplane-youll-die/566157/67 "2011-01-03T18:16:03Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Although, as it happens, I do plan to be in an elevator later today . . . You should only jump UP when the elevator is going UP. If you jump when it’s going down, you’re going to SPLAT against the ceiling. ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-if-you-jump-on-an-airplane-youll-die/566157/68 "2011-01-03T18:21:41Z")
Hell yes, If I catch you jumping on my airplane, you will die. If I even see you putting your greasy hand on my canopy, I’ll give you a stern chewing out. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-if-you-jump-on-an-airplane-youll-die/566157/69 "2011-01-03T18:47:38Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > It’s a little-known secret that planes don’t actually move at all. They just go up, and the world rotates beneath them, then they come down. That’s why it’s quite safe to jump on a plane. Then how did I fly back from California to Philadelphia? Do they change the direction of rotation depending on where you’re going? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![sqweels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f19dbf/32.png) [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-if-you-jump-on-an-airplane-youll-die/566157/70 "2011-01-03T18:53:49Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I’m willing to be daring and try the experiment. I’m in the JetBlue terminal right now and will be in flight in a couple of hours. I’m willing to take the chance, but because I’m shy, I’ll do the jumping in the bathroom. So if you hear about someone dying in a JetBlue bathroom, you’ll know I didn’t make it. Otherwise, I’ll report back here when I land. If you do survive, let us know which way the toilet paper roll is hung. ---
**Author:** ![Gedd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gedd/32/4938_2.png) [@Gedd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gedd)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-if-you-jump-on-an-airplane-youll-die/566157/71 "2011-01-03T19:22:15Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > It’s a little-known secret that planes don’t actually move at all. They just go up, and the world rotates beneath them, then they come down. That’s why it’s quite safe to jump on a plane. > > > [@davidm](#): > > > > Then how did I fly back from California to Philadelphia? Do they change the direction of rotation depending on where you’re going? 😕 You just “fly” until Philadelphia is under you, and you never notice the difference in the length of the trip. The main side effect of the artificial gravity devices is the time vortex it creates. Since they are already smacking physics in the face by rebelling against gravity, they continues to violate the laws of nature by slowing time inside the airplane. The result of going from slow-time back to normal-time can catch up to you afterwards and is referred to as “jet lag.” [Rim shot]:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-if-you-jump-on-an-airplane-youll-die/566157/72 "2011-01-03T19:26:13Z")
So tell me, Mr. Smart Guy. If all of your friends jumped on an airplane, would you jump with them? ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-if-you-jump-on-an-airplane-youll-die/566157/73 "2011-01-03T20:11:46Z")
> [@Gedd](#): > > You just “fly” until Philadelphia is under you, and you never notice the difference in the length of the trip. The main side effect of the artificial gravity devices is the time vortex it creates. Since they are already smacking physics in the face by rebelling against gravity, they continues to violate the laws of nature by slowing time inside the airplane. The result of going from slow-time back to normal-time can catch up to you afterwards and is referred to as “jet lag.” > [Rim shot]:rolleyes: But I don’t recall passing over other continents. In fact what I saw was pretty much the reverse of what I saw going from Pennsylvania to California. 😕😕 ---
**Author:** ![UncleFred](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f0a364/32.png) [@UncleFred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleFred)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-if-you-jump-on-an-airplane-youll-die/566157/74 "2011-01-03T20:20:17Z")
This thread finally got me to understand why it takes longer to fly from Miami to Boston than from Boston to Miami; Miami to Boston is uphill! (It’s obvious once you look at a map) I used to think it was due to the Coriollis effect. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-if-you-jump-on-an-airplane-youll-die/566157/75 "2011-01-03T20:26:12Z")
OK, so let’s get back to the subject of acceleration. Airplanes do not accelerate slowly. They put on these ginormous boosts of power, and then WHHOOOSH!! they’re off. So, If I were to jump just as the pilot pulled the throttle back: would the air pressure within the cabin carry me along? Or would I land a few seats back from where I jumped? Or would I be a “Love it” size cake batter with marshmallows, reese’s bits and strawberry syrup in a waffle cone? This is really fun, what kind of cone would you be?!? ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-if-you-jump-on-an-airplane-youll-die/566157/76 "2011-01-03T20:31:16Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > So tell me, Mr. Smart Guy. If all of your friends jumped on an airplane, would you jump with them? Well, you would have a nice cushion when you hit the back wall. ---
**Author:** ![Gedd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gedd/32/4938_2.png) [@Gedd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gedd)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-if-you-jump-on-an-airplane-youll-die/566157/77 "2011-01-03T21:38:02Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > But I don’t recall passing over other continents. In fact what I saw was pretty much the reverse of what I saw going from Pennsylvania to California. 😕😕 Well duh, it’s because they aren’t real windows. They are screens showing an out-the-window recording. That’s why they are so small and why they have the other layer of plastic; they don’t want fingerprints on the screen. They come in handy. If there is rough weather they can pull up a generic storm video or if you’re sitting on the tarmac they can show people doing stuff outside so you don’t know they are just drinking coffee. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-if-you-jump-on-an-airplane-youll-die/566157/78 "2011-01-03T21:48:18Z")
> [@Gedd](#): > > Well duh, it’s because they aren’t real windows. They are screens showing an out-the-window recording. That’s why they are so small and why they have the other layer of plastic; they don’t want fingerprints on the screen. > > They come in handy. If there is rough weather they can pull up a generic storm video or if you’re sitting on the tarmac they can show people doing stuff outside so you don’t know they are just drinking coffee. 😃 So, why are they trying to deceive us on the true nature of flight? Also, if it’s not possible to “fly” west to east than how did they make the recordings? ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-if-you-jump-on-an-airplane-youll-die/566157/79 "2011-01-03T21:58:10Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > So, why are they trying to deceive us on the true nature of flight? Also, if it’s not possible to “fly” west to east than how did they make the recordings? Duh, you said it yourself: > [@](#): > > . In fact what I saw was pretty much the \*\*reverse \*\*of what I saw going from Pennsylvania to California. bolding mine. They filmed the travel one way and then showed you the film in reverse. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-if-you-jump-on-an-airplane-youll-die/566157/80 "2011-01-03T22:15:19Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > Duh, you said it yourself: > bolding mine. > > They filmed the travel one way and then showed you the film in reverse. If they showed it in reverse, wouldn’t the plane seem to be flying backwards? Wouldn’t traffic on the ground appear to be going in reverse? Wouldn’t the sun appear to be going across the sky in the wrong direction? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-if-you-jump-on-an-airplane-youll-die/566157.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-if-you-jump-on-an-airplane-youll-die/566157.md?page=5)