BA Flight evacuated in Phoenix

[Dave Noble]

More than 300 passengers and crew aboard a British Airways jet at a US airport were evacuated down emergency slides after smoke filled the cabin.

Article at BBC NEWS | Americas | British plane in US smoke scare

Dave

 

[NM]

"I never realised how fast you can go down those emergency slides - a lot of people, including myself, have little friction burns on their elbows."

This is one reason I always wear a long-sleeve shirt when flying. And leave my shoes on until well established in cruise.

NM (posted from BNE FLounge wearing long-sleeve casual shirt but not expecting to be evacuating down escape slides today).

 

[mannej]

This is operated by a B744 right?

 

[Blackswan]

I feel for those having to slide from the upper deck. Eeek.

 

[samh004]

I feel for those having to slide from the upper deck. Eeek.

Gosh, the photo makes it look ridiculously steep.

But the video makes it look a lot tamer. I wonder how many F passengers left the a/c in pyjamas? Or do they not offer them on BA?

 

[simongr]

There must be something wrong in the report - it doesnt mention that this was an airbus - it must have been and airbus surely?

Given the steepness of the slide from the upper deck I might rethink that choice in future..

 

[tuapekastar]

I noticed one guy (presumably pax) with a backpack, and one or two others carrying handbags/briefcases or similar. Are they not supposed to leave those things onboard in any evacuation?

 

[samh004]

I noticed one guy (presumably pax) with a backpack, and one or two others carrying handbags/briefcases or similar. Are they not supposed to leave those things onboard in any evacuation?

There's always a few people that take things with them.

 

[Evan]

<..>
But the video makes it look a lot tamer. I wonder how many F passengers left the a/c in pyjamas? Or do they not offer them on BA?

Yes BA do indeed offer PJ's in F, rather nice blue ones with a simple BA First sort of Nike swoosh symbol on the front. I have a few pairs around the house from my last trip if people stay over unexpected and want to change.

 

[JohnK]

Gosh, the photo makes it look ridiculously steep.

Is there a reason why the slide needs to be that steep?

 

[samh004]

Is there a reason why the slide needs to be that steep?

I wouldn't know, I guess making it longer and less steep would mean adding more bulk to the door and at the end of the day, all you need is for the passenger to get out, not have a nice ride to the ground.

Still, looks like a hell of a ride for a J passenger.

 

[mannej]

I believe that the design incorporates trade offs between the angle of the slide.

Anything that is less steep than that would probably result in a slide rate (for passengers) that is too slow in the event of an emergency.

 

[JohnK]

Interesting. It looks more like a drop than a slide to me. Anyway here is hoping we never have to evacuate an aircraft with that steep a drop, I mean slide. Any slides in the hold?

 

[dajop]

Interesting. It looks more like a drop than a slide to me. Anyway here is hoping we never have to evacuate an aircraft with that steep a drop, I mean slide. Any slides in the hold?

I wouldn't be too concerned. Have a look at the video footage, taken from ground level. The slide does indeed look like a slide from that perspective, not a drop. In line with what one would expect. I think the perspective from which the photograph was taken (at a distance, and from a quite a bit higher than the aircraft) makes it look a lot steeper than it actually would be.