Twa Flight Attendant Manual
I woke up early this morning and was drawn back to the TV coverage of the Miracle on the Hudson - the US Airways water landing without pontoons! Many words have and will be spoken on this amazing incident. As a Flight Attendant my mind immediately goes to Emergency Procedures in my Flight Manual, training received in class and, most important, the Recurrent Training we all attend once a year.
During Recurrent Training we are shown films of aircraft accidents and Crew responses. We listen to those who have been there describe their experiences. We have a mock aircraft trainer to practice evacuation commands, opening exits and strategies for different types of landings and situations. We operate emergency equipment, hands on. Where is the equipment located? Is the emergency planned or unplanned?
We have a 30-second review that we go over in our heads each flight - 'Brace position and brace command until aircraft stops; evacuation decision; assigned exit procedures; evacuation commands.' Crew coordination is important. Each Flight Attendant has specific duties depending on their position on the aircraft while we all know we do what needs to be done at the time. There is no way to know how each scenario might take place.
We are trained to use common sense. During each I am looking to see where non-ambulatory passengers are sitting. Where are the children traveling alone and other children sitting? Who might need special help? Once again it has been proved that training pays off. The rush of emotions has hit not only those involved but the rest of us as spectators. 'What would it have been like if we had been on that plane?
What would we have done?' These US Airways Crew Members performed admirably, and we feel such pride in the outcome.
Let's salute them, the other rescue workers, and all, who day in and day out, work to keep flying safe. Rob, I also kept wondering if the First Officer was going to be mentioned. I read he was flying the aircraft initially. There must be protocol stating the Captain takes over in case of an emergency, if able. The Captain himself said it was a group effort.
I'm sure he would like to share the 'glory'. Remember Al Haynes who landed the TWA plane in a corn field in Sioux City, Iowa?
American Airlines Flight Attendant Manual
(Another graduate of Dallas' Woodrow Willson HS.) Who was his First Officer? Thanks DC for mentioning the Flight Attendants. I'm sure they will and have been recognized for their job well done.
'I kept having this dream, I saw an airplane, on fire, in a field, surrounded by angels'. As later told to a TWA Flight Attendant. History July 30, 1992 TWA Flight 843 New York to San Francisco, TWA’s L1011, Flight 843, would soon fly into the journals of aviation history. On take-off, speeding down the runway, Flight 843 would never make it to San Francisco. Two minutes, 30 seconds later, 274 passengers plus 19 crew members would find themselves standing in an open field, staring in disbelief, Flight 843 was completely engulfed in flames.
It was a day of miracles Facts about TWA Flight 843 Total evacuation time 90 seconds The Captain was the last person to leave the aircraft Everyone escaped with their lives, no deaths Only three of the eight emergency exits were available Most of the crew members were barefoot.