Originally Posted by
sandlapper223
And further, while I'm Monday morning quarterbacking, is it necessary to dump 140-ish passengers on the runway? Obviously I wasn't there, but assuming the cabin atmosphere is livable, and the failure contained, why evac on the runway? I see too much of this - from a blown tire to smoking brakes or what ever else have you.
Is this a result of our training? Every single PC or type ride is practice stop on the runway, set the parking brake, and put the FA's on alert for an evac. Then practice an evac. Where's the "be a captain, stay cool and using your head" procedure? People usually get hurt when you evacuate - it should be used as a last resort when lives are in imminent danger.
I'm not trying to second guess anyone here, it's just I see too many Evacs in recent times when a safe taxi back to the gate may be the better plan.
I agree with this post. I hate to second guess the crew, but from the video the cabin was pretty clear by the time they landed, and nothing was on fire internally or externally. Sounds from descriptions like the smoke was likely engine oil or combustion byproducts getting into the pack and once the engine was secured the smoke stopped.
Luckily it sounds like nobody was injured during the evacuation, and it makes good press I suppose, so all's well that ends well.
As for dropping the masks... probably doesn't do much for the passengers (as noted, the masks don't seal well against your face) but with no actual fire in the cabin it doesn't hurt anything either and makes everybody feel like they're doing something instead of just sitting there coughing and waiting for the end to come.