Today.. there are more than 3 million people catching a plane everyday.. did you know that the plane is the safest form of transport?… from 1989 – 1998, UK airlines had carried 700 million passengers.. and through out that period there were 3 fatal accidents that caused the loss of life of 56 passengers.. therefore… there is a one in 12.5 million chance of being killed on an UK airline.. the chances maybe higher on US airlines… maybe even higher on an Indonesian airline.. but the plane still is the safest form of transport.. but even so.. most people are still afraid of flying..
With Indonesia being a country with maaaaany islands.. plane travels are just starting to pick up speed.. The airline industry in Indonesia is no where near maturity.. and safety has been the biggest concern for many. As my wife is from Palembang, South Sumatra, me having work there as well, and there being 1 hour flight away from where we live, Jakarta, flying has become quite a routine for us both.. At least for me.. I no longer have flight phobia.. When I’m up there.. I leave the rest to God 
But there is a saying that you have a choice in life.. just like a choice of seat on the plane.. where is the safest place to seat? My brother in law always chooses near the wings… is it the safest there? Well according to the experts at Horizons program by the BBC.. There is NO such thing as the safest seat in the plane! The wing section of the plane is the strongest part of the plane structurally.. but there is no guarantee as accidents almost impossibly happen the same way..
So here are some tips from the experts on how to increase you chances of survival:
- There NO Such thing as the “SAFEST” place
- Choose a seat with the MOST access to exits. Preferably next to an exit.
- If exit seat unavailable, choose a seat NOT more than 7 seats away from an exit.
- Know your seat belt. Listen to the instructions. Most people in panic tend to try find and press an “eject” button even though there is no button, in panic people forget that all it takes is to lift the buckle.
- Keep your seat belt tightly fastened.
- Turn off your reading lights. So in case of an accident, your eyes could adapt to the environment quickly.
- Practice the correct brace postition. Read the safety instruction card.
- Count your rows to the nearest exit. Know where you are in the plane.
- Plan your exit in case of an accident. Get out quick.
- Put on your life vest in case of water landing. inflate ONLY when you are OUTSIDE.
- In case of water landing, quickly get on the life raft and stay calm.
- Stay calm and have a plan on what to do once outside.
- Get off in your group ONLY if you can. If separated don’t try to go against the traffic.
- Remove all sharp objects, ie. shoes, keys, before you get onto the slide.
So Fear NO more! God works in mysterious ways
