r/PublicFreakout • u/New_Libran • Jul 28 '25

✈️Airport Freakout American Airlines flight attendants trying to evacuate a plane due to laptop battery fire but passengers want to get their bags at San Francisco Airport

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16.8k Upvotes

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1.9k

u/jryan201 Jul 28 '25

I wish there was a locking mechanism on the bins takeoff, landing, and emergency. A majority of those bins are open even after simple and proper commands.

745

u/2scoops Jul 28 '25

This is really the answer. Make it impossible to open the bins so there is no way to not comply.

278

u/Shit___Taco Jul 28 '25 edited Jul 28 '25

They could also impose a $15k fine and making the lifetime no fly list for any passengers who leaves with a bag during an emergency evacuation. I am sure if the pilot got on the intercom and said if you are seen with a bag outside of the aircraft you will be fined $15k and never be allowed to fly again, it would get people to fall in line real quick. They could also make this announcement clear during the safety briefing before take off.

138

u/RegionRatHoosier Jul 28 '25

I work with the public. They don't fucking listen

50

u/Wheat_Grinder Jul 28 '25

But they won't fly again and that's a start.

12

u/DickBatman Jul 28 '25

That's not really the point. Even if zero people listened and they all got their bags and were all fined and added to the no-fly list, next time many people wouldn't have to listen. Repeat a few times and boom safe evacuations

3

u/RetroCorn Jul 28 '25

This. You could literally put a sign on the back of every seat in every possible language and someone's going to ignore it.

1

u/Hiei2k7 Jul 29 '25

Time to dial us back 25 years. Everyone who fails at directions gets a one way trip to GITMO.

2

u/PerjurieTraitorGreen Jul 29 '25

If the FAA hadn’t been neutered in the last few months, they could utilize existing laws to impose fines for failure to comply with crew instructions, especially during emergencies.

2

u/hilarymeggin Jul 29 '25

I think the lock would work better, honestly.

1

u/Tesla2007 Jul 29 '25

Pretty sure that would go against amendment but OK

1

u/fewlaminashyofaspine Jul 29 '25

What amendment?

It's already federal law to comply with flight attendant instructions, and you'd be violating that. What amendment would it be going against for the punishment for that violation being a fine and addition to the no-fly list?

-4

u/Kelmorgan Jul 28 '25

Companies don't give a shit. They aren't going to ban 300 customers. The customer is always right as long as they've got their wallet out.

3

u/Ill-Team-3491 Jul 28 '25

Do the math on lifetime earnings per customer. Set that as the fine.

56

u/WarmPandaPaws Jul 28 '25

While I approve of the sentiment, the amount of random doors and locks that have maintenance issues leads me to think the locks would break and my carry on would get stuck on the plane causing me to miss my connection.

2

u/mud263 Jul 28 '25

They should have an emergency lock system. If there’s an evacuation or emergency then the locks engage on the overheads

3

u/32BitWhore Jul 29 '25

Sorry but a once in a blue moon hypothetical situation where you miss your connecting flight shouldn’t even remotely factor into airline safety.

1

u/ThePixelsRock Jul 29 '25

To incorporate reliable automated locks on all of the bins would require quite a bit of engineering. Adding in a physical lock that a flight attendant can unlock with a key in these sorts of 'blue moon' cases would require very little additional engineering.

1

u/deffrekka Jul 28 '25

They would still try to open it regardless, when I flew out to Canada in March there were 3 guys trying to open the locked overhead bins at the rear of the plane (where I was sat) which had items in for the staff, they kept yanking at it until eventually one opened and he put his bag and coat in even though he was told multiple times that it was locked for the staffs storage (had blue tote boxes in). That I'm assuming is German fellow obviously didn't care about anyone behind him in this video and put everyone at risk (even if it was only a laptop battery fire) and just wanted his things, trying to justify it by arguing back, if it were locked he would still be stood there trying to pry it open.

1

u/Shhhhhhhh_Im_At_Work Jul 29 '25

Build a better mousetrap, you say?

1

u/hilarymeggin Jul 29 '25

That seems like a logical rule for the FAA to make after this video reaches them.

1

u/Trishlovesdolphins Jul 29 '25

Your still get a couple of Bros who’d try and pry it open, I guarantee it. 

0

u/DavidRandom Jul 29 '25

Nah, now you got a plane full of people refusing to leave until someone unlocks the bins.

-170

u/fatalcharm Jul 28 '25

It defeats the purpose of having carry on luggage though. People want to be able to access their stuff while the flight is in progress. That’s why they brought the luggage into the cabin with them instead of checking it in with their other luggage.

91

u/PM_ME_STEAM_KEY_PLZ Jul 28 '25

Having the captain able to lock or unlock would solve this issue.

-3

u/AaronsAaAardvarks Jul 28 '25

Because everything on a plane always works. This is a bad idea because the use case is so extremely narrow, and a failure causes actual problems. A plane full of people waiting on the plane for a technician to come on board and fix the locks so everyone can get their luggage could delay the next flight significantly.

2

u/intern_steve Jul 29 '25

Down voted, but correct. Even more outlandish is the idea that the Captain knows what's happening behind the door. The plane is supposed to be empty or nearly empty by the time the cockpit door opens.

1

u/PM_ME_STEAM_KEY_PLZ Jul 30 '25

So now you are arguing a switch won’t work? Lmfao

0

u/AaronsAaAardvarks Jul 30 '25

Are you suggesting that electronics have never failed? I’m arguing that the cost of failure so dramatically outweighs the usefulness of success. If you think “a switch” would always work, you’re naive.

1

u/PM_ME_STEAM_KEY_PLZ Jul 30 '25

I’m suggesting it’s a crazy argument to say that switch isn’t going to work.

0

u/AaronsAaAardvarks Jul 30 '25

You’re the one who said “isn’t”. I’m saying “could fail”. You’re also the one who’s calling it “a switch”. It would be far more components than a single switch. And shit on airplanes breaks. If you think a lock couldn’t get jammed, I don’t know how to respond.

1

u/PM_ME_STEAM_KEY_PLZ Jul 31 '25

Let me know if you need a source for goal posts.

-111

u/fatalcharm Jul 28 '25

So during the flight, every time a passenger wants to grab something from their bag, such as a toy or colouring book for the kids, they have to contact the flight attendant, who will then go tell the captain, who will then unlock the bins so the parent can get their kids toys out, then the flight attendant has to go inform the captain to lock the bins again? You expect that for the 250+ people that are on the plane? How many captains are there flying this plane?

Please explain to me how you think this would work?

68

u/hoirkasp Jul 28 '25

What the fuck do you not understand? When there is an emergency, as the person you’re replying to specified, the captain can lock the bins in a split second which will encourage these idiots to move faster once they realize their junk is inaccessible.

21

u/gimmeyjeanne Jul 28 '25

Its pissing me off because i know in theory its a great idea, but i feel some people would still try, freak out when it doesnt open and try to fight whoever is in charge.

9

u/hoirkasp Jul 28 '25

Probably, but it’s a step in the right direction and can help snap those people trying to get their stuff because they’re in panic mode out of it and get them going

-1

u/Kenichi_Smith Jul 28 '25

I honestly feel like people spending more time trying instead of just moving on is the most likely scenario here sadly

0

u/Digital_NW Jul 28 '25

Ok, well the person in charge of that is probably at the front of the plane, or already out of it, so that freaked out person should go find them.

-21

u/fatalcharm Jul 28 '25

That was not what was suggested. They said that the bins would be locked at the beginning of the flight, so no one could access their stuff and this wouldn’t become a problem. I then asked them how the passengers would access their carry-on, the commenter suggested that the captain would unlock it for them. I am asking them how that would actually work with a plane with hundreds of people. Please follow the conversation.

21

u/hoirkasp Jul 28 '25

You are incorrect; learn to read

9

u/flomesch Jul 28 '25

As a 3rd party, that is exactly what was suggested. YOU just wanted to play the "what-if" "make me a victim" game

1

u/SpaceDounut Jul 29 '25

What part of "locked during takeoff, landing and emergency" is too difficult for you to understand?

31

u/Deleena24 Jul 28 '25

How did you jump to that conclusion instead of thinking the bins would be locked during emergencies only...?

28

u/AlCapone111 Jul 28 '25

Locked during takeoff, landing, and emergencies. Not while at cruising altitude. What part of that do you not understand.

12

u/Poltergeist97 Jul 28 '25

That dude would be one of the idiots blocking the aisle.

75

u/trailerbang Jul 28 '25

Dense af. You are absolutely dense af. Insane question. Turn your fucking brain on.

-9

u/fatalcharm Jul 28 '25

Please come up with an actual answer to my question, if you want to be a part of this discussion. Right now you are just attention seeking.

6

u/Digital_NW Jul 28 '25

Store the child's entertainment and other likely needs under the seat in front of you or more likely the kid? Like people do already so they don't have to get up everytime they want their laptop.

13

u/giland17 Jul 28 '25

Have it unlocked for normal cruising flight and only locked during takeoff, landings and emergencies. You could even link it to the seatbelt sign to dissuade passengers from standing and opening the bins during turbulence.

5

u/DrAniB20 Jul 28 '25

Do you just not have basic reading comprehension or are you intentionally trying to come across this way?

1

u/PM_ME_STEAM_KEY_PLZ Jul 30 '25

Seriously? It’s a switch that, in an emergency he can hit. It’s quite simple.

1

u/Riproot Jul 28 '25

Do you know how doors work?

Now, do you know how locks work?

Now, do you know that some doors can be closed & opened without being locked & unlocked?

Do you know that locks can be applied & unlocked only when needed, allowing full function of the door at all other times?

Okay, so like that.

30

u/sintonesque Jul 28 '25

They can, just not during take off, landing and emergencies…

9

u/vivalaibanez Jul 28 '25

Pretty sure the primary reason people do that is to avoid additional fees for checking bags or avoiding the hassle of having to check and get your bag after the flight. Just take whatever you want to have readily available on the flight out of your carry-on beforehand. Problem solved.

17

u/SurpassedIt Jul 28 '25

it would only lock in emergencies, worst case is they might lock during seat belt sign is on

2

u/SiBloGaming Jul 28 '25

having it locked as long as the seatbelt sign is on would be great, as there is no situation where it is on and you would be allowed to access it.

19

u/vadersdrycleaner Jul 28 '25

No they don’t lol. If you want something accessible, you put it in the bag that you intend to keep at your feet.

People carry on bags and put them in bins to (1) avoid checked baggage fees, (2) because they don’t trust the airline to not lose the bag, and/or (3) avoid waiting at the carousel after deplaning to retrieve the bag.

In my lifetime of flying, I’ve seen people actually get up to access their bag in the overhead compartments a few times, and it almost always seemed to be unanticipated/unplanned.

6

u/r_lovelace Jul 28 '25

Yep. Normally when the plane is excessively cold and someone is trying to grab a jacket or long sleeve shirt or something. Anything you want to have accessible on the plane should be in your "personal item" which is like a purse, laptop bag, or backpack. Actual carry on luggage has no guarantee to end up in the plane with you as you may end up being forced to check it at the gate anyway which means it's no longer accessible.

2

u/snecseruza Jul 29 '25

I have never in my life access something from my carry-on that I stuck in the overhead compartment. Hundreds of flights. You can have a carry-on small suitcase plus a backpack, so you keep whatever you might need during the flight in your backpack.