http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-34193767

To all those in the photos running away from the aircraft CARRYING YOUR HAND LUGGAGE some of which you CLEARLY retrieved from the overhead bins before exiting the aircraft, I hope you're all really proud and pleased with yourselves.

By your selfish, stupid actions you put your own and the lives of those behind you at huge risk.

I'm more interested in the fact there was a witness called Reggie Bugmuncher... and yes, she really exists! Td4 XS manual, Orkney Grey, MY2014

Looks like others have picked up on the comments I made above (not on my specific comments, but the point I was trying to convey.....oh, you know what I mean!).

"Some passengers are being criticised for collecting luggage prior to evacuating the plane......"

I hope they identify them, find them, and prosecute them under US Federal Law for failing to comply with instructions of the flight crew and/or failing to obey information posted on the safety cards.

Idiotic morons.

The problem is that in panic stricken desperate situations humans behave in strange ways, no person can be blamed for getting hand luggage, as that is what they would do without thinking when leaving a plane, the fact the plane was on fire would make people collect luggage but really quickly.

You can be trained to deal with near death situations but even then the brain goes into default modes and you do stupid things.

Quote:

no person can be blamed for getting hand luggage

I think as it is a british airways plane then uk laws can apply still (even though in foreign country), offences do exist for endangering other passengers but I doubt a prosecution would take place in potential death circumstances, the main issue to look at is why the plane caught fire, not that people panicked and grabbed hand luggage.

OK - prosecute them under UK law then, still contravened the instructions of flight crew/placards/safety cards.

It's illegal here as well as the US. Nevertheless, I'm pretty sure that irrespective of the nationality of the aircraft, whilst in US airspace everyone falls within US federal law.

Whilst I of course agree that the cause of the fire should be investigated fully and all necessary steps taken to prevent a recurrence, part of that investigation should naturally follow the evacuation procedure.

The simple fact is that these morons endangered the lives of others by breaking the law. They should NOT be allowed to get away with it, and should be made an example of so that hopefully other cerebrally challenged passengers get the message.

If people had died, and we saw the same photos as today (people evacuating the aircraft with hand luggage in tow) would we still be saying, "ah well......nobody can be blamed for collecting luggage - it's what people naturally do. People do stupid things".

I don't think so.

From the BBC interview with passenger Jacob Steinberg of the Guardian, (who sounded a bit hyped up - understandably) it seems there was an element of indecision by members of the cabin crew. ie, stbd rear door was opened, smoke came in, we won't use that one then..... Took several seconds for an order to evacuate. Seems the lessons of the Manchester incident have not been fully learnt even now (by "the World's Best Airline"). 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

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I am sure the evacuation will be looked at.

It's not like they are burgling old grannies though, i doubt the passengers at the time of the fire stopped to think and decided to intentionally endanger others. It was probably oh cock, run and then when outside they look down and think, why do I have my hand luggage with me, why did I do that?.

Bit aggressive labeling the passenger as criminals.

More ***wit than criminal, sadly the planet has more than its fair share of them.

The overhead lockers should be fitted with a central locking system operated by the pilot, once the plane is underway they are locked and only members of the crew can open them if the needs be.
It could be done and no doubt would be if it was proved folk died because someone was trying to retrieve their sunglasses, it always takes an accident to happen before things such as this are addressed, put down to cost why it wasnt already of course.

I preferred it when everything had to be checked in, life was much easier and the same for everyone, nothing worse than getting on a flight and some idiot getting on last with a huge bag and then everyone is delayed while a silly game of shuffling bags around takes place.

I think on this occasion we have to be grateful that everyone escaped !
It could so easily been another Manchester.
I understand there were injuries but better than death by far..
To be honest Im surprised that everyone got out because on most flights people don't seem to take much notice of the safety procedures !
I think praise to all on this occasion ! it could be argued that those who grabbed hand luggage helped reduce the amount of combustible material.
sadly you will always get selfish that defy all rules and do what they want ! Jaguar x-type sport gone
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Intentionally and consciously grabbing hand luggage is wrong but it is entirely possible that some people did so in a state of shock and panic and upon later reflection would agree that it was wrong. Who knows what was going through their minds. Perhaps some jumped to the conclusion that terrorists were involved.

I don't like to be too judgmental from the comfort of home when we weren't there. If I were a third party viewing the car accident I was in (minor injuries but road blocked) I would have said that I would easily have known where I was when I phoned the police. The truth was I had no idea other than being able to say one town nearby despite knowing the area so well.

Another example was when I fell a short distance down a hill in the Peak District on a school trip and broke my wrist. I tried climbing back up for my clipboard!! WTF?! If I had been one of my friends I would have said that I would definitely have not responded like that. I would have just walked away and forgot the clipboard no problem. The reality is that when in a state of shock, you don't respond as you like to think you would.

I place emphasis on my opening sentence as I do understand where choccy is coming from. LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
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I stand by my original comments.

Stupidity, panic and thoughtlessness is no defence.

Their negligent actions endangered the lives of others. If no action is taken then having the regulation is pointless, as the only time it could ever be enforced is a time exactly like this.