# Stuck on Plan - Penalty for Escape/outbursts

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-on-plan-penalty-for-escape-outbursts/511115>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 22, 2009, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-on-plan-penalty-for-escape-outbursts/511115 "2009-09-22T18:58:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![maniondl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cdc98d/32.png) [@maniondl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maniondl)\
**Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-on-plan-penalty-for-escape-outbursts/511115/21 "2009-09-23T17:40:31Z")

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> [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](#):
>
> But does opening an emergancy door count as damaging, destroying, disabling or wrecking an aircraft?
> 
> And
> 
> Does opening an emergancy door count as opening an external door?

I would bet that the inflatable slide works much the same as a car airbag. It’s not like they deflate it, fold it back up, and stuff it back in the plane. The plane is now “damaged” in the sense that they can’t fly it until they replace the expended slide.

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**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\
**Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-on-plan-penalty-for-escape-outbursts/511115/22 "2009-09-23T18:01:28Z")

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> [@maniondl](#):
>
> I would bet that the inflatable slide works much the same as a car airbag. It’s not like they deflate it, fold it back up, and stuff it back in the plane. The plane is now “damaged” in the sense that they can’t fly it until they replace the expended slide.

Yes, but by reading the cite, the fact that the emergency door is open means that the plane is no longer “in flight” so you can feel free to leave. When the inflatable slide is deployed, we are past that “moment” and no longer in the “special aviation” jurisdiction of the United States.

See, I love the way laws are drafted with loopholes.

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**Author:** ![PatriotGrrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@PatriotGrrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotGrrrl)\
**Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuck-on-plan-penalty-for-escape-outbursts/511115/23 "2009-09-23T20:12:20Z")

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> [@qazwart](#):
>
> Explain how a crew, following federal procedures, be charged with false imprisonment. When you fly, you’re subject to federal regulations, and federal regulations are quite clear: Once those plane doors close, you have no right to get off until they are opened by a crew member (except in cases of an emergency).

But do the crew have the right not to open them?

> [@qazwart](#):
>
> The main thing to remember is that the airplane’s crew doesn’t have the authority to open or close the doors of the airplane. They’re also stuck in the plane too with a bunch of whiny passengers who are insisting their rights are being violated and they plan to lead a revolt against this tyranny. The crew is probably doing its best to get back to the gate so they too can leave. Don’t make their lives any more miserable than you have to.

So if, say, someone died of dehydration, should the crew just say “I was only following orders”? Should, say, a prison camp inmate being tortured try not to make his captors lives miserable because the guards are 'just following orders"?

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