A Reminder — Wear Your Seatbelts On the Plane

Photo by Hanson Lu on Unsplash

So, we’re all starting to vaguely think about travel again. I actually did endure one pandemic-era flight, but am trying to avoid a second (hopefully by the next time I get on a plane, things will be closer to normal).

Which means it’s time for that reminder:

Always wear your seatbelt on a plane.

But the Seatbelt Sign is Off!

Okay, so. When the pilot turns off the seatbelt sign, they are not saying “Okay, you can take your seatbelt off now.”

They are saying “It should be safe to move around the cabin.” It basically means it’s okay to get up and stretch, go to the restroom, or check on the traveling companion who is seated at the other end of the plane because you checked in at the last minute or didn’t want to pay extra for assigned seats.

When you are seated your seatbelt should be fastened. Period.

Here’s my personal example as to why. I was on a flight to or from Chicago (I honestly forget which, just that we were vaguely near Chicago) and the plane hit clear air turbulence at the very moment the poor flight attendant poured my soda. The results were inevitable and she felt awful about drowning me in coke, but the point was made. Turbulence can happen at any time. Including in the middle of…