Tray tables and seat backs

[phouka]

Why? Why do I have to stow the tray table and put the seatback to its full upright position when we land? Why?

I can almost see the point in stowing the tray table in that if we crash I would probably be bisected by it if it were down, but heck, if we crash, I’m toast anyways.

What earthly difference would the five degrees of a reclined seatback make? What, I’d die uncomfortable instead of relaxed?

Someone please explain the logic to me.

[C_K_Dexter_Haven]

The logic is so that people can get out if there is an emergency evacuation.

While I agree, in many plane accidents, there’s not much to be done… but there’s also plenty of non-fatal incidents (just the other week, when a plane skidded off the runway) where rapid evacuation of the plane is desirable. OK, so imagine an emergency evacuation situation and the seat of the guy ahead of you is way back. Hell, it impedes my ability to just SIT there, let alone to get up and get out.

So the seat in upright position is not for you, it’s for the person BEHIND you.

I’ve argued that with cabin crew, futilely, when I’m in the last row.

[Yarster]

The tray table being up is so the guy on the inside seat (and you) can get up rapidly in an emergency. I doubt a piece of plastic like that which folds up anyway would bisect you. But assuming you are a yoga artist and actually COULD assume the proper crash position (that is, upper body more in parallel with the main fuselage to prevent your aorta from ripping from sudden deceleration in a crash) the tray table and reclined seat back of the guy in front of you would make this more problematic. Of course, with the shitty leg room these days, good luck doing this unless you’re in first class, anyway.

Incidentally, this aorta thing was told to me by a doctor, so I am assuming it’s true. Apparently, in your normal seated position (perpendicular to the fuselage) the aorta more easily tears, whereas in the hunched over position, there is more up and down stretching motion which it can handle better without ripping. Could be bullshit, but that’s what I heard when I asked that question

[Karen_Too]

Hmmm, useful information. I’ve always wondered what you are supposed to do in a falling elevator. (Everyone knows you aren’t supposed to jump at the “last moment”). So lying flat on the floor would protect your aorta, and probably your spine too.

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-k-
Karen Lingel, Physicist

[Max_Torque]

Pure speculation:

It’s not for passengers on the plane, but for the flight attendants. Making the passengers put their seats and trays up saves them the trouble of doing it after everyone’s left.

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[douglips]

MaxTorque:

It’s not for passengers on the plane, but for the flight attendants. Making the passengers put their seats and trays up saves them the trouble of doing it after everyone’s left.

So why would they make you do it for takeoff?

[Max_Torque]

Oh, sure, bring THAT up. heh.

The reason I wrote that: I got off a plane yesterday, and the “put trays and seats up” announcement was broadcast both before landing AND afterwards, while we were taxiing. Thus, I figure the crew was looking to save themselves a little time/work. Pardon my flippancy.

Probable real reason: ever read that little safety card? The recommended “crash brace” position is head in lap, arms crossed behind your head. It’s mighty hard to do that if the guy in front of you has his seat back and you have your tray down. During takeoff and landing, if something goes wrong, you have little time to react, so it’s beneficial to have the path pre-cleared, so to speak; at 20,000 feet, well, you have more reaction time, and you’re probably screwed anyway.

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[John_Kentzel-Griffin]

Originally posted by Karen Too:
Everyone knows you aren’t supposed to jump at the "last moment"

I dunno I read in another thread this answer to the question whether you would get hurt if you jumped at the last second:

Originally posted by Sake Samurai:
**No, not in the slightest. To demonstrate, I suggest you grab a piece of plywood and climb to the top of the largest building or bridge in your town. Put the board under your feet and jump, shouting, “In the name of Science!”

At the very last minute before you hit the ground - jump straight up. The board will be smashed into a million pieces, but clever you will float, feather-like to the ground.

Trust me - it’s a thrill like no other!**

I hope if anyone tries this they will be careful not to get a splinter. You wouldn’t want to get hurt!

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Virtually yours,

DrMatrix

[billehunt]

CKDextHavn wrote

there [are] plenty of non-fatal incidents (just the other week, when a plane skidded off the runway) where rapid evacuation of the plane is desirable.

Yes. The big killer in airplane crashes isn’t people getting munched as the plane plows into the ground at high speed. It’s smoke-inhalation by people trapped in the plane as it sits off the end of the runway smoldering.

[Max_Torque]

Which is why I’ve heard it’s a good idea to count the number of seats between yourself and the nearest exit. That way, if the cabin’s filled with smoke, you can still feel your way to safety quickly. I understand some crash survivors credit their survival to this tactic.

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