Flight Attendant Procedures
What challenges did flight attendants face during the Delta Airlines plane evacuation?
According to Cheryl Cassone, a former flight attendant, the crew faced unprecedented challenges during the evacuation. While flight attendants are trained to evacuate aircraft that are upright, they are not trained for upside-down evacuations. Additionally, the emergency slides were not deployed, making the evacuation even more difficult. Despite these extraordinary circumstances, the crew managed to evacuate all passengers remarkably quickly. Their primary concern was fire, which is the biggest danger in any aircraft incident, making their successful evacuation of all 80 passengers with only 21 injuries truly heroic.
Watch clip answer (00:51m)
Fox News
02:25 - 03:16
What do flight attendants do when preparing the cabin for arrival?
When flight attendants prepare the cabin for arrival, they systematically check for potential safety hazards. They look for debris, glasses, containers, laptops and other items that could become dangerous projectiles during landing. They also ensure bags aren't blocking pathways that could make evacuation difficult in an emergency. This cabin preparation is critical for passenger safety, creating clear exit paths in case of emergency situations. Flight attendants perform these checks specifically to address circumstances where passengers might need to evacuate quickly, ensuring everyone can safely exit the aircraft without obstruction.
Watch clip answer (00:21m)
CBS News
02:58 - 03:19
Why do flight attendants prepare the cabin for arrival?
Flight attendants prepare the cabin for arrival by searching for potential hazards that could become dangerous during an emergency evacuation. They specifically look for debris, glasses, containers, laptops, and other items that might become projectiles, as well as bags that could block exit paths from the aircraft. This critical safety procedure ensures that in circumstances where passengers need to quickly exit the aircraft, there are no obstructions or potential hazards that could impede evacuation or cause injury. The flight attendants' vigilance during arrival preparation is a preventative measure designed to maintain clear pathways for emergency situations.
Watch clip answer (00:21m)
CBS News
02:58 - 03:19
What do we know about how everyone survived this plane incident?
The plane experienced a hard landing that resulted in the main landing gear collapse and subsequent engine fire. However, everyone survived due to critical aircraft design features, particularly the structural integrity of the fuselage that maintained its shape during impact. Safety protocols also played a vital role, with seatbelts being especially important during turbulence and emergency landings. Investigators will examine black box data and pilot accounts to determine specific causes, while the incident highlights both the effectiveness of aviation safety design and crew emergency preparedness.
Watch clip answer (00:07m)CBS News
00:04 - 00:11