A Continental 767-200 jet traveling from Rio to Houston overnight was diverted to Miami this morning after encountering severe turbulence north of the Dominican Republic. Some 26 people were injured and several of those were taken to hospitals upon landing. One of the passengers quoted said, "People that weren't seat belted in flew up and hit the ceilings."

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/08/03/plane.turbulence/

I always follow the instuctions to keep my seatbelt fastened even when the sign is not illuminated. This is the reason why.

Scary.

Yes Jeff, the reason why! I do too and why not? It is no different then using the seat belt while driving or riding in a vehicle, or at least that is my thought.

Some folks just have to learn the hard way I guess

I hope Wally wasn't on that flight.

According to our paper this morning, 2 of the pax most severely injured was a woman who was exiting the lavatory (severe cuts and gashes who couldn't be moved and had to remain on the floor) and headed back to her seat and a man who was headed to the lavatory (fractured skull with internal bleeding). I know we can't always control when nature calls, but there is a reason that light is turned on. And like LoveItaly, I alwasy keep belt fastened even if it's not.

What about the flight attendants. They sit back in the galley and never wear them, even when they take a break and the seatbelt sign is on.

I think, wally, that it is a case of do as I say, not as I do. It was often good advice from my mother and is often good advice from the FAs.

And plenty of times I've certainly seen FAs sit with their belts on when turbulence gets pretty rough.

Flight attendants' work requires that they be up and about, and as a result they are among the most frequently injured when turbulence hits. In turbulence, their work duties often conflict with the need to sit down and buckle up, and so it's a judgment call. If they sit down and buckle up, passengers will think they are loafing. If they continue to move about the cabin after the seat-belt sign is on, they risk being injured if the turbulence gets rough.

I know several FAs personally who have been injured quite severely by turbulence while working. If they work long enough in the profession, it's almost certain to happen sooner or later.

In any case, whether FAs are up or not with the sign on, it's not a contest to see who can buck authority the best. You are always safer with your belt on. If it gives you a feeling of satisfaction to show your independence by leaving your belt unfastened, I hope that satisfaction remains with you when you wake up in the emergency room.