Safety First

One of the old traditions of flying seems to be going the way of the propeller. On a recent trip we were actually not shown the flight safety information by the flight crew. The aircraft was configured so that the passengers could all see monitors hung in the center aisle. Yes the same small monitors that show the bad movies or TV shows. Before the flight they were used to show the safety message and to inform passengers about the safety measures needed to evacuate the aircraft. They could actually show the emergency lighting and how the exit rows are lighted. I want to thank the airline for this update of procedures. Actually on one of the flight segments I did see one passenger read the emergency card. Most of us who have flown many times just ignore the whole process. This is not to say that this is not important. Using video will actually get the attention of a generation who do not read and depend on video for all of their information. Of course they will never see this post. The main benefit of the newer process is that it allows close up pictures of the equipment and to show all of the process in detail that a person standing at the head of the aisle cannot really show. I understand that one airline is famous for the humor of the flight crews I do hope that this new technique does not eliminate the humor just changes the topic of the humor. As with any change it is both good and bad. We will miss the flight attendants rushing to get the briefing in before they must sit down for departure. A procedure that I do not take lightly since I do appreciate that the crew does need to show a good safe example for the passengers who do not understand what can happen to a moving person during takeoff. We will enjoy a better safety message and more information that is now possible. In the future maybe a more complete and more detailed message is possible.