On an American Airlines Charlotte to Cancun flight on September 4, a passenger got up, stood in the aisle, and delivered their own safety briefing hitting the core items:
- Exits (“these are your exit doors”).
- O2 masks (“right above you tap tap, mask gon’ fall down—put it on your face, strap behind your head”).
- Flotation (“seat cushion turns into a flotation device; if you can’t swim, kick your feet”).
These are your exit doors, right here. Right above you—tap tap—the mask gon’ fall down. Put it on your face, strap behind your head. Your seat cushion turns into a flotation device. I’m telling you now, if you can’t swim, just kick your feet—don’t move your arms. … Let’s go.
Now, to be clear, federal rules require that the operator ensures passengers are orally briefed by an appropriate crewmember before each takeoff (14 CFR 121.571). That means this sort of passenger “remix” can be a fun supplement, but the required briefing still rests with the crew.
People say they finally paid attention, though, and actually understood the safety points with many calling for the passenger to be “hired” and note a flight attendant’s reaction as a ‘green light’.
- Effectiveness: “This was actually great… she instructed them perfectly” / “first time I paid attention.”
- Vibe & morale: “We legit are the vibe” / “This is the energy we need before takeoff.”
- Hire her: “Give her a CJO” (airline‑speak for conditional job offer).
- Safety realism: “Funny but not funny—most people don’t understand exiting an aircraft” / “Now can I get a verbal yes from the exit row?” (a nod to FAA‑mandated exit‑row briefings).
- Skeptics: A minority found it irritating or inappropriate (“sit down so we can take off,” “not everything is acceptable”).
I’ve seen passenger participation in a safety briefing before, but never a safety briefing total takeover. Many years ago a passenger ran up to the flight attendant performing the briefing and when she was about to demonstrate blowing into the flotation device she was wearing, that’s exactly what he did. That was inappropriate, this was cute as long as cabin crew were fine with it, the aircraft wasn’t in motion (and the passenger wasn’t disobeying seat belt instructions) and it didn’t delay departure.
No. I don’t care who it is, their background, or their cause, or lack thereof. Not grandma turning 100, not newly-weds, just the crew, focused. Please just do what is required by the FAA, nothing more, nothing less. Then operate the flight however you wish.
While we’re at it, United, please get rid of the ‘blue balls’ video. Unwatchable.
Gary, I think you posted about the Cebu Safety dance some time ago. Those stewardesses were hot. Almost made me fly Cebu. I need some entertainment, more posts like that.
@Other Just Saying — So, basically, the Hooters Air of the Philippines, eh? I wouldn’t fly them unless you really have to. Super tight seats. They got an 459 capacity, all-economy, a339 with 3-3-3 seat configuration, which they fly long-haul from MNL-DXB. Brutal. But, $30 for an 8-hour flight… and THAT safety demo. Hmm.
“and delivered their own safety briefing hitting the core items”
Using the politically correct plural pronouns “their” “they” and “them”, while irritating, I find acceptable when the gender of the person involved is not know.
However, the video here clearly shows that the passenger is a woman. Why not use “her”?
@1990. Yea I am shallow. I wanted to fly Hooter’s Air, but never made it.
If they had a Bikini show on Bikini Airlines (aks Vietjet Air), I would make an effort to fly. But alas, I think they only do a Bikini show on marketing events. Actually, I thank Gary for posting about Bikini Air, it has been in my dreams ever since. (LOL: Even my dreams are shallow.)
Catch the Lord of the Rings themed air New Zealand video on you Tube,
This passenger clearly figured out every angle in advance – crew blessing, not violating seat belt law, non-offensive and also subject reinforcing humor, not delaying the flight, pax loving it. Brilliant.
@Other Just Saying — As Bender would say, start your airline, with bikinis and blackjack! (@L737, where you at?!)
As a frequent flyer (and city kid who never was taught how to swim!) from the 60’s to May 2016, I never heard any of the briefings say..if you can’t swim, kick your feet. Thanks so much for this story!
Yeah, no. Sit down, shut up and let the FAs so their thing.
I don’t see the use of “their” as being a nod to political correctness but rather a proper use of “their” to introduce the subject. Later it would be appropriate to use “she/her/hers” in reference to the video. That said, it would have been equally correct to say, “made her own demo.” Editorial decision; not PC at hand.
Some of the commenters clearly have on their seat belts too tight. That monolog would have been a great start to my trip. In fact, this is one of the reasons I started to favor SW. “Should you decide you no longer want our services, this aircraft is equipped with 6 exits…” Friendly service goes a long way.
I would add “leave your god damned bags if we have an emergency evacuation.” The imbeciles who try to take them endanger other’s lives.
It’s clearly for fun. Everyone is laughing. Stop being sticks in the mud with no life or amusement. Your lives must suck
Funny, but not in compliance, not professional, not acceptable instruction prior to take off!
DEI goes both ways for the airline industry, there are some minorities that haven’t had a chance to fly or it might be there first time plus education must be involved with air travel for minorities and please understand some of us black people are dramatic at times so please understand again thats just our culture that’s where DEI is involved especially with ebonics