Why Passengers Shouldn't Be Worried About Turbulence, with Aviation Expert William Langewiesche

Megyn Kelly is joined by journalist and aviation expert William Langewiesche for the "Hot Crime Summer" episode about the missing plane MH370, to discuss why passengers shouldn't worry about a little turbulence, the massive technological advances in aviation, how safe air travel is, and more.

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[randya]

Agreed, aircraft can take a tremendous punishment from turbulence. However, people should realize when the pilot alerts the cabin for the passengers to fasten their seatbelts it is a for this reason. On one flight landing at Denver, I witnessed a gentleman who decided to unfasten on final approach to grab his coat in the overhead compartment. Then instantly the aircraft hit a severe wind shear condition and we dropped like a rock. He was literally suspended on the ceiling and when the aircraft recovered he slammed into the floor in the aisle hard requiring medical attention at the gate. The aircraft was fine after the incident and the pilot recovered nicely. So when the flight attendant tells you fasten your seatbelt and remain seated until the aircraft is finally stopped at the gate, just do it. The only thing to worry about in turbulent air is unsecured passengers. So for your own safety and the others around you please heed the crew and obey their directions.

[donnabaardsen]

My former boyfriend was a fighter pilot in Vietnam, and flew for the airlines in civilian life. When I asked him about turbulence and my fear of it, he told me it's just like driving in the car; when we drive over potholes etc., it's the same in the air as air currents change. Be that as it may, I STILL don't like it!

[hubrisnaut]

I had the glamorous title of "Naval Avionics Technician" when I graduated "A school". My first assignment upon reporting to my squadron was to wash an airplane... I'm a libertarian about most government but, the FAA has literally been the driving force that has made flying and air travel safer than driving a car. Inspection, inspection, inspection, maintenance and scheduled tear downs and rebuilds, that are based on prior experience . Same stuff we did in the military to keep birds flying. The feed back loop is in effect.

[johnnybmean]

"Everybody dies sometime." < What a comforting answer coming from a Professional

[richardhargrave]

Flying home from to the UK NYC we had some turbulence, I got told off for falling asleep!
They don't just fall out of the sky
On the rare occasions that they do there is a good reason for it.
The UK and US Aviation Authorities have the airlines regulated very tightly as far as maintenance and pilot training is concerned.
So there's nothing to worry about, except spilling your drink!

[johnyoungs]

I've flown 12 or 14 times and only once did I experience turbulence. It was briefly extreme and I was surprised by the number of people (mostly women) that were shrieking.

[seaborn]

The primary reason that planes are safer to fly globally, but particularly in the US, from about 1980 forward was the institution of Crew Resource Management (CRM). After analyzing many crashes from 1960 to about 1978, it was found that pride and authority structures in the cockpit led many pilots to either make decisions independently or ignore less experienced co-pilots or navigators. After CRM was instituted around 1981 (United Airlines was the first; the worst US airline now in my opinion) CRM gradually became the global standard and the number of airline crashes began to decrease around the mid-1990’s. Because of CRM, many crashes today are avoidable and airlines are safer to fly than a car is to drive.

[jewelscash]

Not a nervous flier, experienced turbulence many times and an extreme near miss coming into Miami- that said i am terrified of fully vaxxed/boosted pilots.

[begonaalonso]

I just heard you saying u just got 1, 000, 000 subscribers… so there you go now you have 1, 000, 001. I’m a subscriber 😅

[jimblack]

I enjoy history and find film footage from WWII to be fascinating. Those films often show planes successfully landing after unbelievable damage from aerial battles. The memory of those Flying Tigers often calms me during turbulent flights. You won't find me on rides at the county fair but truthfully, a bit of turbulence can be "fun".

[sirstiffpilchard]

I used to like The DC3 Dakota. You could see the rivets turning as the wings flap in rough weather.

[lisbetsoda]

Megyn is so cute and the pilot is great.

[jeanninespinner]

I went to order the magnesium & they said Megan 10 was invalid to get the discount & gift?

[sirstiffpilchard]

I have been in severe turbulence In South Africa. The luggage was falling out of the lockers. The pilot managed to get down after 3 attempts.

[shanechapman]

Oh my word once I was on the airplane and I stood up yelling there are no kids on this airplane if I was GOD I would take down this plane and I must have freaked out the people instead of getting their help they all everyone looked straight in front of them then I heard an old sweet voice saying honey I am fat if we crash you can land on me I just started to laugh and kissed and hugged her and realized I had no idea I was even sitting by her and I had been in the middle seat she was at the window and before she spoke I would have sworn I was sitting alone. I have been much better but still don't like flying!!!! Love always Kelli

[stellascott]

Most people don’t seem to have any problem whatsoever with bumpy roads and seriously rough rides in cars. Some even think it’s fun. They know that the car is designed to take it and they’re fine. But they don’t apply the same principle to a plane. Is it not similar? I don’t get them.

[stephanimorris]

I flew once. It wasn't the turbulence that scared me. It was how thin the walls are. My car has more substance to it! Keep you planes, I'll drive

[patriciaplayford]

We take a risk every time we step out and get into our cars, or cross the road . Living is a risk . And honestly if your put on your belt like in your car, you have a really good chance of survival . Terrible things are happening all the time, but that gentleman was right, we all die sometime somewhere . Iv done my will, my funeral plan, told my family I love them, and like the rest of humanity, I will get on a plane ✈️ and enjoy myself .
I’m going to England from Australia and back again, long long way and back again, but better to go, than wish I did . I’m 75, flying by myself, I have one life, it’s a choice . Put your seat belt on, the pilots are trained and I’m putting my faith in their knowledge and experience and training . Enjoy it .

[tinak]

I heard that airplanes like 747’s can literally have their wings go completely straight into the air and still not fail. It’s very rare to crash. I always say if they can fly a man to the moon they can certainly fly me from California to NYC ( to see my daughter and son in law)!

[bobbybands]

Airplanes smart... People not so smart, lol!