American Airlines limits passengers on some jets until more life rafts added

[oz_mark]

American Airlines said it is limiting the number of people on board its Boeing 767-300s until it can add more life rafts.

A routine audit of American's fleet found the 58 767-300s came up short on raft space after two more business-class seats were installed on each jet, spokesman Tim Wagner said in an interview Wednesday.

American Airlines limits passengers on some jets until more life rafts added -- chicagotribune.com

 

[JohnK]

At least they are trying to rectify situation now but one would have to wonder how they were not audited or inspected thoroughly when they refitted the cabins with extra business class seats.

 

[simongr]

You have to wonder if the mentality of "well if a plane crashes in the sea everyone dies anyway so..." crept in and has since been reassessed...

 

[Reggie]

You have to wonder if the mentality of "well if a plane crashes in the sea everyone dies anyway so..." crept in and has since been reassessed...

Or at least 2 pax/crew don't make it.

 

[Evan]

Is it a simple matter of just reduceing the total passangers by presumably 2 pax, or must that be a reduction in the business cabin area ?
E

 

[Dave Noble]

Is it a simple matter of just reduceing the total passangers by presumably 2 pax, or must that be a reduction in the business cabin area ?
E

Just a reduction in 2 total

Dave

 

[russ]

It's a lot more than just 2 pax: The article says that "American is capping passengers and crew on the 767s at 228, down from 236." That's eight.

It appears that the addition of 2 business class seats was just the trigger for the review that found it did not have raft space for "children carried on passengers' laps as well as ticketed travelers and crew, and carry an additional raft in case one fails."

It's disturbing enough that the airline didn't comply with the FAA requirements, but to top if off they describe it as a "potential discrepancy" (weasel words) and that passengers "were never in danger" (tell that to the last person out who finds there's no raft for them!)

 

[oz_mark]

There was a shortage of raft space only if one failed. How often does a raft fail?

 

[Mal]

There was a shortage of raft space only if one failed. How often does a raft fail?

And how often are they actually used? I can only think of a few flights where rafts have been deployed...

 

[Dave Noble]

It's a lot more than just 2 pax: The article says that "American is capping passengers and crew on the 767s at 228, down from 236." That's eight.

It appears that the addition of 2 business class seats was just the trigger for the review that found it did not have raft space for "children carried on passengers' laps as well as ticketed travelers and crew, and carry an additional raft in case one fails."

It's disturbing enough that the airline didn't comply with the FAA requirements, but to top if off they describe it as a "potential discrepancy" (weasel words) and that passengers "were never in danger" (tell that to the last person out who finds there's no raft for them!)

The number includes those passengers that do not have a seat. iirc, the limitation causes 2 seats that cannot be sold if there are no lap children.

Dave

 

[Reggie]

In case one fails, what happens if 2 or 3 fail? Are the rafts tested, and on what frequency. Does a number of POS on one raft mean that the raft will hold less total pax? How long is the piece of string?

 

[milehighclub]

The slide/raft capacity varies between aircraft and even between slides/rafts on the same aircraft. Without being technical 747/A330/767 slide/rafts have a capacity anywhere between 50-80. The 737 does not have dual slide/raft that is deployed from the door. Instead the life rafts are in the ceiling, are deployed by the crew and they hold around 46 or 56 depending on the series. One final note - Not all doors on the aircraft can be used in a ditching. For example door 3 on the 747 is not used as it is only a slide and would knock the raft at doors 4 if deployed. Doors 3 on the A330-200 is not a slide/raft either but if needed to escape you could open the door and it can be detached but contains no survival equipment. Same reason for the BA 767's at doors 3.