At least this is an improvement (depending upon your perspective) from the old days when flight attendant (stewardess) job requirements were female, attractive, and single - no males need apply. Clothing was often skimpy.

If you want functional clothing, ditch both ties and scarves. They will just add to the burn hazard. I think I have seen cabin personnel in slacks and pants lately, which makes a lot of sense.

Inside the box thinking, people. The fundamental issue with plane ingress and egress is the bottleneck at the hatch. The early aviators were clear about the need for rapid emergency dismount: note the lack of barriers on the Wright Flier:


We have simply gotten too far from the basics. An alternative would be a fuselage-length gull-wing door:


This is not a human behavior problem, this is an engineering problem.

Your post made me think that I should improve my "in flight" kit, which right now is pretty minimal. I didn't think I could carry all that much useful stuff on me especially given TSA restrictions. So I was expecting to die in most situations of air disaster. I'm curious as to what you carry on the plane. This question is open to everyone.

You might have a problem with a scalpel and anything sharp, but I know of no other significant restrictions that would apply to a reasonable first aid kit. I have flown with my standard kit for years - mostly slanted toward traumatic injuries and CPR

*On body - Watch, wallet, keys, glasses, cell phone, wedding band, pill FOB, pocket light (Fenix E01 and/or LRI Photon Freedom Covert), BP pen, notebook.

*General - soft shackle (bracelet size) wound around jumbo bandanna, Hand santizer, Cell phone backup battery, Headphones, Sun glasses, Water bottle, Book, day planner, Food (sandwich, crackers/granola bar, cookie),Travel pillow(?) & earplugs, hygiene kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, deoderant, comb).

*Basic FAK (also in bag) with flight specific medications (various bandaids and wipes, pepto, gas-x, dramamine (Dimenhydrinate not Meclizine), ibuprofin, tums, moleskin)

*Travel emergencies kit (also in bag)- (sewing kit w/small scissors, glasses repair kit, duct tape, whistle, chlorine dioxide (aquamira) tablets, 550 cord, toothbrush, toothpaste, deoderant, comb)

What I described is what I carry on the plane. I carry trauma shears for cutting, they are allowed.

I do not carry a large amount of these things, just enough to care for myself. I can't carry enough for an airplane full of people.

Alright, looking at your lists, I realized mine isn't that bad. I always have:

-- two light sources, plus one additional battery
-- small pry bar
-- whistle
-- charged cell phone battery (backup)
-- compass
-- seat belt cutter
-- Leatherman (w/o blade)
-- CPR mask
-- bandaids
-- meds
-- food bar
-- water (I get ripped off every time I fly)

Seems like I could easily add some stuff from Montanero's list. But the problem is that I carry that stuff in my carry on bag, not on my body. Maybe I should look into carrying it on my man bag or wearing a Scotte Vest.