I think sometimes we are our own worst enemies in this regard. I have been in the back of many airplanes where the seat belt sign did not come off for the entire flight (some well over 8 hours) even though it was absolutely smooth for 95% of the flight. The U.S. carriers are particularly guilty of this phenomenon. If the seat belt sign never comes off people become a little conditioned to behaving "daringly" to use the restroom. We can't expect people to "hold it" for an international flight.

 

It is unfortunate that it has to work this way, but hopefully this will get plenty of media attention and passengers will realize that unless they are going to the Lav, they should wear their seatbelt- especially when the sign is on. I'd have to guess that many of the injured were flight attendants walking the isles since I heard they were doing a service when they hit the turbulence, but I just don't have much sympathy for injured pax who willfully don't wear the seatbelt.

 

I agree, there is an airline in particular where I was on a flight to Argentina and they where using the seatbelt sign as a crowd control device with over 80% of the flight not really needing it for turbulence, that creates a very bad habit of people disrespecting it in my view

 

I've observed the same situation sitting in the back and wondered if the Captain just forgot he had a seat belt sign or perhaps forgot that there were folks sitting in the back for weight and balance purposes. Beats me but you're point is right on !

Give us a break Captain.....

G'Day Mates

 

That is the most ANNOYING thing in the world, I know its bad but everytime some idiot is up walking around with the seatbelt sign on while I am jumpseating, I hope we hit some wicked turb. I am bad for that I know. LOL

 

Ya know, I just never take my seat belt off except for a bathroom break - sitting in the front or the back. It's a good policy,
ESPECIALLY when the seat belt sign is on!
Of course, I know it's law when I'm flying, but I thought "compliance with lighted, signs, placards and crewmemeber instructions" was, too?

 

So will both pilots have an accident on record because some passengers had serious injury?

 

Unless they are found casual - will it show at all?

USMCFLYR

 

If you fly very much in the back (I do all the time) then you will find that almost all international carriers are far more selective about when the seatbelt sign comes on. In fact I have been on flights, especially Lufthansa, where the 744 is being bumped around pretty hard and no light and no announcement. If you hear the Captain come on the PA and say he is turning on the seatbelt sign because they are expect turbulence coming up, boy you better buckle that belt because it is going to be rough.

I recall once on Lufthansa we were flying in a TS on a 737 headed into Graz, Austria and the cabin crew was up doing a meal service!!!

Anyway, my main point is that the US Carries are more than a little conservative with the use of the seatbelt sign and that only creates the issue of passengers ignoring it when it is on.

Having flown on many international carries, you are far more likely to buckle when they turn on the sign. Especially on LH.

For me, if I am sitting, then I am buckled. But on a 12 hour flight, I have to use the toilet and stand to stretch and that is just a chance you take when flying thru the air at 500mph in a mettle (soon to be plastic) tube

 

Glad the 767 took the beating from the turbulence and landed safely. I love that plane. But sorry to hear there were injuries. The pax should not ignore the seatbelt light on--even if it is on for the majority of the flight.