A flying expert has illuminated one of the less-known yet possibly serious complications in terms of what you wear on a plane: leggins may not be the safest choice of outfits when traveling by air. Although the majority of passengers prefer to dress comfortably when flying – choose stretch materials, slip-on shoes, and loose fitting garments- it turns out that safety needs to be a major factor in your on-flight wardrobe as well.
Passengers have the challenge of balancing between comfort and practicality when it comes to dressing during a flight, more so in long-haul flights where one can find it disturbing to sit for hours. Among recommended measures are not wearing clothes that are too tight or restricting, paying attention to changes in temperatures inside the cabin. However, the aviation industry experts say that comfort should not be the only factor that determines what you wear-especially in relation to emergencies.
Even the clothing you wear can make you less or more safe in case of an emergency, aviation expert Christine Negroni, author of the New York Times bestseller The Crash Detectives: Investigating the Worlds Most Mysterious Air Disasters, says that there are specific types of clothes that may put you in greater danger in an emergency situation. Negroni stressed the relevance of proper footwear as well as the choice of fabric when traveling by air in an interview with IGV.
She suggests wearing slip-on, flat shoes with hard soles that are comfortable to the passengers. The reason is that during an emergency evacuation, the situation on the ground may be unsafe, anything between icy cold or wet ground to fuel spillage and debris. The reason why high heels are not suitable is that they can puncture evacuation slides and going barefoot makes you prone to injury because of heat or sharp objects. Negroni also suggest wearing shoes during takeoff and landing when the statistics show that most accidents are likely to happen.
However, the most startling aspect of her tips is about the leggings, which many people, including travelers, wear because of their stretchiness and softness. Negroni states that synthetic leggings might melt in the event of an inflight fire, thus becoming harmful. When heated to a high temperature, like in the case of active clothes, these materials can melt and burn the skin causing serious injuries and scars.
Negroni explains that most air accidents are survivable, but many of them also imply fire. synthetics are used to make leggings. When these chemically created fibers become hot, they melt and are able to adhere to the skin.” She quotes a research by the Federal Aviation Administration in 1999 that found natural fabrics such as cotton, wool and leather to be superior options to be used in flights. Even denim, although very rough, is in this respect safer than a great number of synthetic fabrics.
Similar safety issues based on what passengers wear have received the input of other flight attendants. One recommended avoiding open-toe shoes such as Crocs or flip-flops, at least in the lavatory, indicating the unsanitary conditions that are usually involved. The other one suggested avoiding shorts because of the hygienic reasons, you just can not be sure how hygienic seat or surface can be.
Finally, your airport attire may appear to be a minor factor; however, during an emergency, it may lead to major consequences. Proper selection of garments and shoes can not only make your in-flight experience more enjoyable but can also make you more likely to survive in case of an unforeseen situation.