The funny part is, I would know how to set it off, even with the safety.
I used to work for BF Goodrich Aerospace and was both their Shipper/Receiver and one of many Evacuation slide and inflatables technicians (include rafts and life vests for aircraft). It's disturbingly easy to set one off in the cabin without the door open if you know what you're doing. And let me tell you, depending on the aircraft, those things can go from 2 ft^3 to 30 ft x 15 ft x 6 ft in a matter of 6 seconds... and that's just the medium sized ones (such as a 767).
Sorry, total tangent, but it's the first thing that came to mind when I read this post. I'm actually rather surprised they didn't go back to the terminal or have someone go F'ing ballistic in the cabin.
Visited Tulsa a couple of months ago,compliments of Continental,never fly them again,and sat on a tarmac in Austin for 6 1/2 hours along with 13 other Continental planes waiting for fuel.
I am sorry but after sitting for just 2.5 hours, I would pull the Emergency Chute....that is if I couldn't fall asleep....yea, they would probably fine me for some BS, or whatever, but !!!, I am not a sardine to sit in a tin can waiting to be pryed open for some big guppie to eat.
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Don't let their ignorance and hate intimidate.
i only sat for 1 hr once, good thing i only flew a few times but id walk off, how can hold you? thats being held as a captive and punashable by law, they have to let you go, right?
anyone know the law better?
Chrish,
By pulling the emergency hatch, you would be committing a felony were they to press charges. It is illegally initiating an emergency evacuation without cause, illegally accessing the secure grounds of an airport and causing an unnecessary response by emergency crews at the airport. They could also get you for tresspassing on federal property once you hit the pavement. Inside the airplane is private property, on the tarmac is federal land.
But, after sitting so long, I doubt they would do anything to you. The airline might fine you for "Unauthorized use of the aircraft's emergency system" but I doubt the airport would press charges for fear of looking like idiots. The airline wouldn't care if they looked like idiots or not, they would fine you. Probably would be upwards of $3500 or more. Whether you could justify your actions and avoid payment is another story.
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Don't let their ignorance and hate intimidate.
