Did you hear that an angry Chinese passenger opened the emergency exit of a plane? That can be so unbelievable but really happened.
The plane was on the way to the runway, but the runway was so busy that the plane had to wait until it was allowed to use the runway - all the passengers had already been stuck on their seat without air conditioning for quite a while. Suddenly, a passenger unfastened his seat belt and went to open the emergency exit (door). The passenger was arrested for his abrupt action.
Opening the emergency exit of a plane can be so dangeous. You're risking the lives of all the passengers on the plane, and you may damage the plane. Air safety is such a concern now - we have already lost several flights. Everybody should abide by the rules if you choose to take a plane. You should know flight delay is not uncommon worldwide (not just in China). China is now the world's second busiest country of air transport, so flight delay is inevitable - maybe we should get accustomed to it. You still need to pay attention to the travel etiquette wherever you go however fast your economy is growing.
Some people, however, may argue that the government or the airline or the airport is also to blame for the "air rage". Sometimes, flight delay can be so long and unbearable. Try to imagine you sitting between two big guys without air conditioning (not available since the plane is about to take off) - that can be such a nightmare. They should improve their service quality.
Nevertheless, I don't think it's acceptable to open the emergency exit of a plane just for fresh air or for getting off a plane quicker unless it's in an emergency situation, and no matter how intolerable the flight delay is or how angry you are.
Note:
If you want to write an argumentative essay/blog like this, you might like Expector's Writing Challenge: Argumentative Essay.
Comments
Thanks for the encouraging comments, Onee, Roman! I really appreciate it!
Keep it up!
Wow! I didn't think that there are exist such people, that can do that... After reading your discussion, I think, next time when I fly, I have to sit close to that exit to stop anyone who will want to open it...
Dear Doc,
What? Opening emergency exit? :o
He might have a great pretension to get out of the plane and fly in the air. :D Glad to hear that the plane landed safely. I agree that this is not acceptable action. Passengers should be patient and follow the rules on the flight if they want to have a safe travel.
Thanks for sharing this, Doc. Your blog is always useful.
@afro
Thanks for the comment. Nevertheless, it's said that plane is still the safest way of transport. Let's hope every journey by air is comfortable.
I have found, flight delaying is a kind of scary thing for me. Specially when aircraft waits to take off on the run way or when it takes halt after one or more run. I always have become anxious...what is happened, is there anything wrong!
@Mr.Bob
Great comment! Yes, it's not the fault of the passengers if a flight is delayed. One of the reasons people choose to go by air is to save time, so flight dalay can be so unbearable, especially when the airport or airline fails to make the waiting comfortable.
Things have changed so much since you last traveled in China - more and more people choose to take a plane instead of taking a train or a speed train. The rail station is more crowded than the airport, though.
Thanks for the nice comment!
I agree that anyone opening the emergency door when there is no emergency should be arrested. That being said, the airlines need to use the additional fuel necessary to air condition the plane while it is waiting for extended periods on the ground. If people pay for a flight they should be kept comfortable if the flight is delayed.
After all, it is not the fault of the passengers that the plane has to wait a long time. I took a number of flights in China in 2007 and they were all comfortable and on schedule. If more people need to fly than the airports can handle, the answer is simple. Either build more capacity or restrict flying to a number of flights that the current capacity can accomodate.
@Lady
Thanks again:))
I see....
It made me laugh when you said there was no such a "door guard" on a plane. Haha! Even groceries, department stores, and commercial buildings have no guards posted near the exit doors.
But there should be guards at the back doors of every commercial establishments. (Because thieves, robbers and criminals won't surely barge in through the front doors, hehehe)
@Lady
Thanks for the comment. I assume you mean you've never travelled by air/plane.
Yes, the emergency exits can be opened by a passenger even though there are warning signs on the doors. The flight attendants will usually warn the passengers who sit near an emergency door not to try to open the exit unless in an emergency. There's no such a "door guard" on a plane, though.
The angry passenger did open the exit intentionally - he was angry about flight delay. He was arrested since his action was illegal and can be so dangerous. His behaviour is so unusual, unexpected and controversial.
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