[3pt14159]

Dude, I'm only 29 and I've flown in about 50 or 60 flights. I don't need to hear that I should put on my own oxygen mask before helping a toddler yet again. I get why they do it every flight, but I certainly don't need to pay attention.

[6stringmerc]

Yeah, but do you pull out the airplane schematic to familiarize yourself with the layout of the airplane you're riding in? Serious question: Without looking it up on your travel itenerary, can you honestly tell me what make/model airplane you last flew on? I can, because I read the pamphlet, which gives me knowledge that could save my life, but if you don't want to live to see 30, that's your perogative...but it's the law you have to listen to flight crew, even if you don't want to interrupt your Instagram surfing.

[spdustin]

Not to argue with your point as a whole - that apathy that leads to risk to others is a bad thing - but...

Yeah, I've looked at the pamphlets on the hundreds and hundreds of flights I've been on. I've sat in the emergency row, first class, back galley, you name it on dozens of models of aircraft.

Within a few moments of taking my seat, I know where my nearest exit is, and I know how to open it in an emergency because nearly all commercial aircraft doors open the same way. I know from a quick reach-under that the vest is still there, and that they're designed to be of obvious function with their large handle for self-inflation and the tubes for manual inflation.

I don't need to be told to grab for an oxygen mask before it falls - I would posit that it's instinctual, even as a parent, so that I am better equipped to help my fellow passengers (or my kids if they're with me) and so that my action can set an example for those that don't know what to do. All the seats of all the planes I've been on in the past ten years or so have been able to be used as flotation devices.

I'm not saying that these things are common knowledge. "Noobs" should listen. But "veterans" shouldn't be assaulted with high volume, or assumed to be shirking their duties as fellow passengers if they respectfully mind their own business during the safety announcement.

Talk during the announcement? Shut the hell up, you're messing with the learning of someone else, and you're going to cause others to talk over it. Quietly play Bejeweled while wearing headphones during the announcement? I'll assume you've "been there" and "done that" often enough to not be a liability to the rest of us if something goes wrong.

Incidentally, when told about the exits by the flight attendant, do NOT ask "in the event of an unexpected landing event, am I authorized to escape via the twisted, burning, gaping hole in the aircraft?" They don't find that amusing.

[dothething]

Yeah, but do you pull out the airplane flight control manual to familiarize yourself with the flight controls of the airplane you're riding in? Serious question: Without looking it up on your travel itenerary, can you honestly tell me how to fly the make/model airplane you last flew on? I can, because I read the manual, which gives me knowledge that could save my life, but if you don't want to live to see 30, that's your perogative...but it's the law you have to listen to flight crew, even if you don't want to interrupt your aircraft identifying.

[gergles]

It's the law they have to talk. It's not the law you have to listen.