FAA Issues Life-Saving Warning to Passengers Making Fatal Mistakes: ‘Every Second Counts’

The Federal Aviation Administration is begging airline passengers to pay attention as flight attendants share life-saving safety and evacuation protocols before each flight.

According to a recent post shared by the FAA, passengers frequently waste critical moments in an emergency to grab their personal belongings and luggage before evacuating the aircraft.

“🚨Save a life, not a bag!” the administration shared via X on Monday, July 13. “In the event of an emergency aircraft evacuation, the safety of you and your fellow passengers is top priority. Every second counts.”

The post was shared alongside a video originally posted by an account called Airline Videos, which showed passengers scrambling to escape planes and dozens of people bringing carry-on bags down inflatable emergency slides.

“That’s a big safety risk because it slows everyone down during an evacuation,” a voiceover on the video claimed.

Social media users flooded the comments section with suggestions both for passengers and the FAA.

“Consider this before flying: Have your phone, wallet, and important documents (i.e., passport) ON YOUR PERSON,” one person tweeted. “If you need to evacuate the plane you can do so immediately. Not in a bag, a purse, or a seat pocket. On your person.”

Others suggested that the government agency begin issuing fines for passengers caught stopping to save their bags.

“Charge each person with a bag for obstruction of an emergency exit and disobeying flight crew orders,” one user suggested.