SE210Caravelle From United States, joined Dec 2004, 235 posts, RR: 1 Posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 1252 times:
Are seatbelts or safety belts actually required to be worn in flight? I have assumed they are but have never really gotten a definite answer. Is it possible that are they required to be worn during landing or takeoff but otherwise are optional? Do theese laws regulate between countries? I would assume so.
N1120A From United States, joined Dec 2003, 23431 posts, RR: 87 Reply 1, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 1225 times:
Quoting SE210Caravelle (Thread starter): Are seatbelts or safety belts actually required to be worn in flight? I have assumed they are but have never really gotten a definite answer. Is it possible that are they required to be worn during landing or takeoff but otherwise are optional? Do theese laws regulate between countries? I would assume so.
Seat belts are required whenever the captain says the should be on. On an airplane, the captain always has the final say and makes the decision as to when people should have seat belts on.
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
Sure, as long as the seat-belt sign is switched on, you have to wear it. When it is switched off you have the choice. As for me, I wear it during the whole flight time, even on 12+ hour flights.
In the cockpit you have to wear it at anytime, from engine start until shut down at the destination airport (that was at least the case on all my 30+ jumpseat flights).
Aa757first From United States, joined Aug 2003, 3038 posts, RR: 11 Reply 3, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 1203 times:
Good question, as the wording of safety videos vary.
Quoting Continental 757-200 Video: Because turbulence can come about quickly, we think it's a good idea to keep your seatbelts fastened during our flight.
Quoting USA 3000 A320 Video: USA 3000 requires all passengers have their seatbelts fastened while seated.
This would lead me to believe that seat belts during cruise are not required. Of course, you should always wear them, as clear air turbulence (turbulence that cannot be detected until an aircraft has encountered it) has claimed lives.
Plus, who would know? Flight attendants usually only do compliance checks prior to departure and arrival.
A major problem is pilots not turning off the "Fasten Seatbelt" sight en route. America West's employee website actually had a feature directing flight attendants to encourage the pilot to turn off the "Fasten Seatbelt" sign. If it safe for passengers to move about the cabin while the "Fasten Seatbelt" sign is on and flight attendants tell them it is safe to do so, how will they know when it is not safe?
SonOfACaptain From United States, joined May 2004, 1747 posts, RR: 7 Reply 4, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 1181 times:
I know at US, the pilots will say we require you to fasten your seatbelts while seated.
How strict have F/A's been about making people sit when the seat belt sign is on on your flight? Unless there is a lot of turbulence, I feel they are a bit lax about it, which I see no trouble in it.
N1120A From United States, joined Dec 2003, 23431 posts, RR: 87 Reply 5, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 1181 times:
Quoting SonOfACaptain (Reply 4): I know at US, the pilots will say we require you to fasten your seatbelts while seated.
How strict have F/A's been about making people sit when the seat belt sign is on on your flight? Unless there is a lot of turbulence, I feel they are a bit lax about it, which I see no trouble in it.
Having not flown US since 2001 (until this coming Friday that is), I can't tell you their policy, but United, Southwest, jetBlue, Continental, Northwest, Lufthansa, Air France, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Germanwings, Air Dolomiti and dba (sorry, had to show off a bit ) all "recommend" that you keep your belt fastened while seated but do not require it.
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
PhilSquares From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 1169 times:
Quoting SonOfACaptain (Reply 4): I know at US, the pilots will say we require you to fasten your seatbelts while seated.
Have never heard that at US. However, you are required to have your seat belt fastened when the seat belt sign is illuminated. As a minimum it is on during takeoff and landing.
At SQ, the seatbelt sign (on the 744), when in the auto position, is on from when you turn it from off to auto until passing 10,000'. On the descent it comes on passing 10,000' and goes off when we turn it from auto to off at the gate.
When I give my PA, I do recommend you keep your seat belts fastened, but if the seat belt sign is off, you're not required to keep it fastened.
SE210Caravelle From United States, joined Dec 2004, 235 posts, RR: 1 Reply 7, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 1142 times:
Thank you all for your replies!
Of course I always keep my seatbelt on at all times during the flight, but I was just wondering what the actual law on this was.
What were to happen if I refused to put my seatbelt on before takeoff or landing? Would the aircraft not be allowed to takeoff or land? What would happen if I refused to do it in flight? Would I be ticketed or even arrested?
S5FA170 From United States, joined Sep 2005, 534 posts, RR: 6 Reply 8, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 1137 times:
As a Flight Attendant, I fly with a lot of captains who who do us a favor by keeping the sign on until we are finished with our inflight service. This eliminates the hassle of people not being able to get back to their seats as the cart moves down the aisle, etc. However, once we're cruising, if its not bumpy and the sign is still on I don't have a problem with people being out of their seats. I just let each individual know that the sign is still on, we (my airline) don't recommend being out of their seat, and that it is at their own risk. This is how we were taught to handle this situation in training.
On climbout we make an "Ascent Announcement" informing passengers the captain has left the seatbelt sign on and that they should remain seated with their seatbelts fastened until he turns it off, indicating its safe to move about the cabin. Once that announcement is made, if they get up, we inform them individually its at their own risk, and then we are no longer liable for any injury that may result from them being up while the sign is on.
Some Flight Attendants do not allow passengers to be out of their seats under any circumstances while the sign is on. I'm not one of them. We're all adults. If you have to use the lav, you have to use the lav.
I know that US use to say "recommend", but lately (past year), all I have heard was "require". Now, whether it is a policy or just a more stern warning, I am not sure.
Lincoln From United States, joined Nov 2004, 3746 posts, RR: 15 Reply 10, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 1098 times:
In the US, the FARs require the placard "Fasten Seatbelts While Seated" be visible from every passanger seat and many airlines make the announcement "...and it is Continental's policy that you keep your seatbelt fastened while seated or sleaping...".
Because "federal regulations require compliance with crewmember instructions and posted or illuminated passanger information signs and placards" and the "Fasten Seatbelt While Seated" is a posted sign... in therory you are required to comply with the sign.
On the other hand, since the announcement is "Continental's policy..." and not an overt instruction, if the "Fasten Seatbelts" placard is missing... there is no requirement.
(Or at least, that would be my interpertation)
Lincoln
CO Is My Airline of Choice || Baggage Claim is an airline's last chance to disappoint a customer || Next flts in profile
Legacy135 From Switzerland, joined May 2005, 1050 posts, RR: 35 Reply 11, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 1098 times:
Basically it's in the interest of each single individual to keep it on. There are many situations, the cockpit crew has an idea that turbulences are comming, so they switch the light on. But we all get surprised from time to time and then it's good to have those belts on. I for my part, simply don't feel safe, not having them on.
What I don't like, is when certain cockpit crews have the sign in for eternities and it's not necessary. The result will be, that passengers won't respect it anymore and start to move around. Finally by the time they really shoud sit, they are up and so a danger for themselves and others.
Fianlly F/A's should remember that whenever possible they should keep their seats as well, when the sign is on. Passengers will see them moving around and then, for sure, will start to get out of their seats as well.
VHXLR8 From Australia, joined Feb 2005, 500 posts, RR: 4 Reply 12, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 1008 times:
Quoting S5FA170 (Reply 8): As a Flight Attendant, I fly with a lot of captains who who do us a favor by keeping the sign on until we are finished with our inflight service. This eliminates the hassle of people not being able to get back to their seats as the cart moves down the aisle, etc.
That would be cool. Might pose a slight problem at QF though, as whenever the seat belt sign comes on, the F/As have to sit down too.
That being the case, at QF we are very strict about people getting up when it's on; basically they'll be told to sit down, in no uncertain terms
In terms of wearing the belts when the seatbelt sign is off, QF still requires people to wear it when they are seated; again, people will be told to put it on if they not wearing it while seated.
Safety demo "it is a Qantas requirement that you keep it on at all times while seated".
Pomnath From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 13, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 989 times:
I have been on one flight over India, during the summers pre-monsoons, when the aircraft started bucking, rearing and generally going all over the place without any warning whatsoever. In absolutely clear weather.
From what I recall, some people were injured, a lot of stuff went all over the place, and this went on for about 2 minutes.
I read up a lot about Clear Air Turbulence and wind shears after that, and keep my seat belt buckled on throughout the flight.
Even long trans-Pacific flights, for that matter.
For that matter, I now also prefer window seats, to safeguard myself from stuff falling out of overhead hatracks on to people in aisle seats.
+++
But the topic question was:- are safety belts required during flight?
Answer is simple:- no, they are not required if the sign is off.
Ikramerica From United States, joined May 2005, 18403 posts, RR: 59 Reply 14, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 968 times:
I see no reason not to keep it on, just keep it a little looser so you can twist and such. In flight it's meant to keep you from flying out of your seat in severe turbulence, and even a loose belt will prevent that. And of course if it gets really bad, it's just one yank on the belt to synch it tighter.
On AA they used to say to fasten the belt OVER your blanket if you choose to sleep, otherwise the F/A may have to wake you during flight to make sure it is latched. Never heard CO or any other airline make such an announcement, but on AA longhaul/overnight they would make it all the time.
Of all the things to worry about... the Wookie has no pants.
Kiwiandrew From Mauritius, joined Jun 2005, 5489 posts, RR: 17 Reply 15, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 963 times:
Quoting VHXLR8 (Reply 12): That would be cool. Might pose a slight problem at QF though, as whenever the seat belt sign comes on, the F/As have to sit down too.
That being the case, at QF we are very strict about people getting up when it's on; basically they'll be told to sit down, in no uncertain terms
most of the time ,yes - but I do recall a MEL-AKL flight a few years ago where I was appalled to see a woman in the row in front of me ( who had been a pain in the proverbial all through the flight - I probably need to start another thread asking cabin crew how they avoid smacking some people in the face ! ) with her equally nasty little girl , probably aged about 5-6 , first standing on her lap and then climbing up on to the seat back - this was during actual turbulence - I know that at least one FA saw this and said/did nothing - frankly I think she had just given up in disgust on these people - they were what the Australians so delightfully term "ferals" - however it does raise the question of what would have happened if the little horror had gone sailing through the air and broken her silly little neck - you can guarantee the mother would have tried to blame QF in spite of all the repeated warnings over the PA
Moderation in all things ... including moderation ;-)
VHXLR8 From Australia, joined Feb 2005, 500 posts, RR: 4 Reply 16, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 938 times:
Kiwiandrew,
Ah the joys of having 'ferals' on board!! It never ceases to amaze me what absolute idiots people can be on flights, particularly parents travelling with children. I've heard everything from "she can't wear a seatbelt, it makes her cry" to "it's my kid, i'll tell them when to sit down". People have no idea how bad turbulence can be (or stopping suddenly whilst taxiing), yet think they know better than trained professionals. Just the other night out of HKG for example I was called a nazi for insisting someone take their seat.
Kiwiandrew From Mauritius, joined Jun 2005, 5489 posts, RR: 17 Reply 17, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 902 times:
Quoting VHXLR8 (Reply 16): Just the other night out of HKG for example I was called a nazi for insisting someone take their seat.
so to answer my off-topic question - how do you stop yourself from giving aforementioned pax the punch in the nose they so richly deserve ( apart from reminding yourself that you dont want to lose your job and end up in jail ) - I have to say that my hat goes off to most FA's out there because I have seen some absolutely appalling idiots ( pax , I mean , not FA's) over the years who would have made mother Theresa turn violent - and yet despite the threads on various aviation forums which make it sound like all cabin crew are , in the words of your pax , "Nazis" , I have never seen an FA lose it despite incredible provocation. Do you , by any chance , spend your off-duty days beating the **** out of a punching bag in your basement ?
Moderation in all things ... including moderation ;-)
Kevi747 From United States, joined Apr 2001, 1011 posts, RR: 15 Reply 18, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 897 times:
Quoting Aa757first (Reply 3): Flight attendants usually only do compliance checks prior to departure and arrival.
We have to do it everytime the seatbelt sign comes on during flight too. Really annoying when you get a trigger happy CPT who flicks it off and on every 10 seconds.
Quoting Kiwiandrew (Reply 17): I have to say that my hat goes off to most FA's out there because I have seen some absolutely appalling idiots ( pax , I mean , not FA's) over the years who would have made mother Theresa turn violent - and yet despite the threads on various aviation forums which make it sound like all cabin crew are , in the words of your pax , "Nazis"
Thank you. That stereotype has gotten really old; and is, for the most part, not true. I will admit we have got some crazies working with us, but you have to expect that from any group of people no matter what their occupation is.
Quoting Kiwiandrew (Reply 17): Do you , by any chance , spend your off-duty days beating the **** out of a punching bag in your basement ?
For me it depends on the situation. I'm pretty good at reading people and figuring out the best way to deal with them. Sometimes I just kill them with kindness and it calms them down; sometimes I yell back at them ;and sometimes I just ignore them and walk away. (Best way of dealing with most Americans, who just seem to get angrier the more attention you give them. Even if you're kissing their asses.)
You also have to remember that we deal with people from all different cultures and you can deal with them differently. These message boards are overwhelming American/European-culture dominated. Not everyone in the world has the same arrogant sense of entitlement that we do. That's one reason I love flying to the Dominican Republic. I've really gotten to know the culture and they're such great people to work with. I get away with stuff on those SDQ flights that I would never pull on a LHR.
Plus, the longer I work here, this less things get to me. When I was a new-hire if a PAX said something rude to me I'd be upset for days. Now I usually can't remember it by the time we land. Anyway, happy flying everybody!
"Reality has a well-known liberal bias." --Stephen Colbert
TAP1972 From Portugal, joined Dec 2003, 394 posts, RR: 5 Reply 19, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 846 times:
The question is pertinent when you have a situation like this:
Last year a TAP flight to Azores had to descend suddnely because it was on a colision route with another plane. The seat belt sign was not on yet and some passengers were injured because they were not using seat belts.
TAP safety video says that passengers must use seat belts for take off and landing and recommend to have their seat belts on when they are seated (even if the seat belt sign is off).
Some passengers that were injured complained and wanted to take this into court, because the seat belt signs were off.
VHXLR8 From Australia, joined Feb 2005, 500 posts, RR: 4 Reply 20, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 658 times:
Kiwiandrew dude,
I think it's one of those things to do with job aptitude. Sure i'd love to deck some pax that i've had to deal with; but i just think to myself, i'm being paid to do a job i like and i have to put up with sh*thead for small period of my time. They, on the other hand, obviously lead a pretty miserable life if the best they can do is take out their frustration on someone they perceive as not being able to return fire (believe me though, if pushed hard enough, F/As will give back as good as they get).
And as Kevi747 said, it all changes depending on the culture. Americans you just ignore (although i must say, Americans generally make good pax), middle-eastern pax you lay down the law to, Australians you do the whole "yes i understand that but...." etc etc etc
Aviation From Australia, joined Dec 2004, 1143 posts, RR: 31 Reply 21, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 651 times:
I guess the captian has full control over belts when on when off but I would imagine that the FAA has a rule of belts need to be fastened during takeoff and landing.
Thanks,
Aaron J Nicoli
Signed, Aaron J Nicoli - Trans World Airlines Collector, Stoie Systems CEO
727EMflyer From United States, joined Mar 2005, 547 posts, RR: 1 Reply 22, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 618 times:
And to actually answer the original poster's question, which he repeated....
First off,
14 CFR 91.3 (U.S. Law) RESPONSIBILITY AND AUTHORITY OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND
a. The pilot in command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft.
-and-
14 CFR 91.107 (U.S. Law) USE OF SAFETY BELTS, SHOULDER HARNESSES, AND CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS.
a. Unless otherwise authorized by the administrator-
1. No pilot may take off a U.S. registered civil aircraft... ulness the pilot in command of that aircraft ensures that each person on board is briefed on how to fasten and unfasten that person's safety belt and, if installed, shoulder harness.
2. No pilot may cause to be moved on the surface, take off, or land a U.S. registered civil aircraft... unless the pilot in command of that aircraft ensures that each person on board has been notified to fasten his or her safety belt and, if installed, his or her shoulder harness.
3. Except as provided in this paragraph, each person on board a U.S. registred civil aircraft... must occupy an approved seat or berth with a safety belt and, if installed, shoulder harness, properly secured about him or her during movement on the surface, takeoff and landing.... notwithstanding the preceding requiremetns of this paragraph, a person may:
i. Be held by an adult who is occupying an approved seat or berth, provided that the person being held has not reached his or her second birthday and does not occupy or use any restraining device;
ii. Use the floor of the aircraft as a seat, provided that the person is on board for the purpose of engaging in sport parachuting; or
iii. Not withstanding any other requirement of this chapter, ocupy an approved child restraint system furnished by the operator or one of the persons described in (this) section provided that:
(just goes on to describe ok infant seats) (text eliminated referring to exceptions for balloons and other such nonsesnse.)
I assume other countries laws, as well as ICAO standards, are similar in wording.
SO, the answer is YES! You are required by law to wear the belt during taxi, takeoff, and landing, and any other time the captain says so.
Speedbirdcrew From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 23, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 593 times:
Quoting 727EMflyer (Reply 22): a person may:
i. Be held by an adult who is occupying an approved seat or berth, provided that the person being held has not reached his or her second birthday and does not occupy or use any restraining device;
That confuses me, the way I read it it says that infants dont have to be restrained with an extension belt is that correct for american carriers??
Lincoln From United States, joined Nov 2004, 3746 posts, RR: 15 Reply 24, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 560 times:
Quoting Speedbirdcrew (Reply 23): That confuses me, the way I read it it says that infants dont have to be restrained with an extension belt is that correct for american carriers??
My understanding based on reading that and previous discussions on the subject is that in the US the use of an "extension belt" to restrain infants is specifically prohibited. I've never seen one used. (but that doesn't mean a whole lot)
Lincoln
CO Is My Airline of Choice || Baggage Claim is an airline's last chance to disappoint a customer || Next flts in profile
HAWK21M From India, joined Jan 2001, 27754 posts, RR: 60 Reply 25, posted (4 years 1 month 1 week 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 544 times:
If Seat belt sign is off & Pax seated,its advisable to be seatbelted.
regds
MEL
Think of the brighter side!
26 727EMflyer: The deal with holding an infant is that if the baby is restrained to the adult neither neither will be properly restrained and both will be vulnerable
27 FlyingNanook: I was on a flight several years ago where a woman refused to buckle her seatbelt. She kept claiming that seatbelts were deathtraps because she was in
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From United States, joined Dec 2004, 235 posts, 
From Germany, joined May 2001, 14218 posts, 
) all "recommend" that you keep your belt fastened while seated but do not require it.
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
From Switzerland, joined May 2005, 1050 posts, 
From Australia, joined Feb 2005, 500 posts, 
From Mauritius, joined Jun 2005, 5489 posts, 
working with us, but you have to expect that from any group of people no matter what their occupation is. 
and it calms them down; sometimes I yell back at them 
;and sometimes I just ignore them and walk away. (Best way of dealing with most Americans, who just seem to get angrier the more attention you give them. Even if you're kissing their asses.)
From Portugal, joined Dec 2003, 394 posts, 
From India, joined Jan 2001, 27754 posts, 
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