Unfortunate event. Surprised but it is good news that there were no serious injuries.

Interesting observation:

- The length of time for first responders to get the passengers to shelter appears to be quite long.
- They only used one of the two from doors for the evacuation. Result of reducing the number of crew members perhaps?

My take on your two observations:

-First responders (ARFF) are there to make sure the situation doesn't get worse with the aircraft (fire starts, plane blows up, etc). It was also said that they conducted a triage on scene and got the most injured into their vehicles. As to why the airport itself took so long to get people inside is a question for the Halifax airport.

-Slides and doors not opened may have been due to visible debris or other hazards seen in that area. Definitely not a case of crew member numbers. If you've ever sat in an emergency exit seat not doubt you've seen how the placard indicates you should check for such hazards before opening the door. No sense exiting into a fire or completely dangerous environment.

Lastly, why the HELL were there people on board in nothing but shorts and a t-shirt? You were heading back to a destination that was cold and snowy. No one gives a shit that you may be coming back from somewhere warm and thus must dress like you are still there. I saw this again myself just last Wednesday on a flight from Maui back to Calgary. Put on your pants and have at the very least a light jacket. Stupid stupid stupid.

Seriously? Probably because 99.99999% of the time the plane lands without incident and you can pass back into the terminal with ease to change there.

I was on a flight from Maui to Calgary last month and I wore pants as I generally do, but I was wishing I had just worn shorts and a t-shirt as the OGG terminal was ridiculously hot and humid. I couldn't blame anyone who was dressed for the beach.

Hey do as you want, but on the very statistically rare chance you end up out in the cold it may be worth it, or trying to evacuate an aircraft full of debris in flip flops...

I used to fly, maybe that is why I'd rather be prepared for the worst case than just assume it won't happen.

Agree 100% and same with flying in Australia. Imagine going down in one of our vast deserts without proper protection from the sun... Death will come knocking very quickly! Always travel with proper shoes, have a hat packed in my carryon at least, a light jacket and pants even when travelling to the tropics. A quick change either in the lounge or washroom before flight or even a quick change in the lavatory shortly after take off... Not a huge big deal!

I used to have a good chuckle when arriving in YYC from Hawaii in January and passengers around me in their shorts and tshirts as they are leaving the aircraft... "Oooohh it's sooo cold!" No F'ing kidding you morons!

YVR Feb Stats
 

http://yvr.ca/Libraries/Aviation_Mar...2015.sflb.ashx

Overall up 6%
International up 9.1%

Thank you.:cheers::tup:

Well, yes it is a good question for the airport operator. This is a thread on airports and airport construction/design.

I use to live in Saskatoon, and in most flights in winter there were always other passengers in short etc.

Most airlines provide passenger instructions on opening the window exists. Would a passenger open a front or rear door? I don't know, interesting human factors questions to ask. I know when I get off an aircraft where they deplane with both front and rear doors a human instinct is for many passengers to want to move forward instead of back. I would assume it is similar in an emergency. Regulations changed a year or so ago to go from 1 cabin attendant to 40 passengers to 1 per 50 passengers. I think this is the first Canadian incident since the change. It would be interesting to see if there was an impact.

One subtle difference I notice between Canadian and Australia safety briefings is in Australia they do add "please note, your nearest exit may be behind you."

Subtle but maybe helpful.

Ive heard this recently either YVR to CUN on SunWing or YVR to here at YCG on AC Express.

Ok. Maybe not AC mainline though.

It has been a few years since I have been flown in Australia. The one thing they do down there that from a Canadian perspective is distinctly different is Virgin Australia has a 737/320 sized aircraft at a gate with a bridge and opens up the side stairs and send the passengers seating in the rear of the aircraft down the ramp, out the side stairs and up the stairs in the back. I don't remember seeing that outside of Australia.

Correct. Virgin Australia, Jetstar and Tiger all do that. They also do the same for boarding. It's amazing how fast they can turn a plane around to get the next flight out. Our climate is a little more receptive to that type of operation than Canada! :P

Calgary's massive new terminal - just added to Peak Aerials but was likely taken last fall


http://s3.amazonaws.com/medias.photo...70_xgaplus.jpg
http://www.stockaerialphotos.com/med...8-afc190172025

^ Looks fantastic. They can't open that thing soon enough, IMO. International/transborder connections and facilities are by far YYC's biggest weakness. Although in fairness, it's basically a symptom of Calgary's explosive growth over the last 20 years...not a bad problem to have. It'll be a great international gateway for Alberta.

CBC says it is now expected to be ready in fall 2016.

I always keep a change of clothes and cooler/warmer outerwear in my carry-on. It's funny that people get angry at the airline for not being prepared yet fail to be so themselves.

There is a bit of a "show off" aspect also about getting off a plane in cold, snowy weather in shorts, t-shirt and flip-flops.

It's about: "I went down south and you guys didn't. Gnagnagnagna..."

Jeez louise, what a sanctimonious bunch of boy scouts. The next time I go somewhere warm I'm going to wear shorts, sandals and a t-shirt before you all convince your MPs to eliminate this basic liberty!

FREEDOM!!! :righton:

Main runway at YYT closing for 5-6 months this year for upgrades. This should be fun.

Probably won't be a huge deal. YWG went through a main runway rehab recently, the impact wasn't even noticeable for the travelling public... the only noticeable aspect was that it sent landing planes over populated residential areas way more than usual.