The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched a new safety campaign to remind plane passengers what to do in case of an emergency evacuation. Passengers are advised to follow crew instructions, leave all baggage behind, and move quickly to the nearest usable exit.

Importance of Safety Protocols

There have been a growing number of cases where travelers have stopped to grab personal items and bags or recorded the evacuation on their phones, putting everyone’s safety at risk. Retrieving items from the overhead bins can cost valuable seconds and cause people to fall or damage the slides needed for exit.

Safety is a shared responsibility, and informed, attentive passengers help ensure a faster, safer evacuation for everyone on board, according to Bryan Bedford from the Federal Aviation Administration.

In related news, a former Air Canada pilot is facing criminal charges for flying tens of thousands of passengers with a fake pilot’s license. Additionally, some US airports are reviving the tradition of allowing visitors to pass through security and walk loved ones to their gate, even without a plane ticket.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.