Thu, Nov 19, 2009
InFO Issued On What May Be Stowed In Airliner Seat Pockets
The FAA has issued an "Information
for Operators" (InFO) in an effort to eliminate some confusion
about what items passengers may or may not stow in the seat back
pockets in airliners.
The FAA says the intent of the carry-on baggage regulation is to
prevent carry-on items from slowing an emergency evacuation and to
prevent injury to passengers by ensuring items are properly
restrained. Seat pockets have been designed to restrain
approximately 3 pounds of weight, and not the weight of additional
carry-on items. Seat pockets are not listed in the regulation as an
approved stowage location for carry-on baggage. If a seat pocket
fails to restrain its contents, the contents of the seat pocket may
impede emergency evacuation or may strike and injure a
passenger.
If small, lightweight items, such as eyeglasses or a cell phone,
can be placed in the seat pocket without exceeding the total
designed weight limitation of the seat pocket, or in such a way
that the seat pocket does not block anyone from evacuating the row
of seats, it may be safe to do so.
The requirements of the carry-on baggage regulation are
applicable to take-off and landing. Nothing in the carry-on baggage
regulation prohibits a passenger from taking out small personal
items from an approved stowage location and placing them in the
seat pocket after takeoff and stowing them in approved locations
prior to landing. Crewmembers may still direct a passenger to stow
carry-on items in an approved stowage location, during flight
should they pose a hazard, such as in the case of turbulence.
The agency recommends that directors of safety and directors of
operations should review their approved programs to ensure they
consider the hazard presented by stowing items in seat pockets and
the programs appropriately mitigate the associated risks.
Training managers and crewmembers should be aware of the risk
mitigations developed by the air carrier. An air carrier has the
responsibility to identify proper risk mitigations and train its
personnel appropriately; and the authority to enforce the risk
mitigations it develops.
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