Think About it -- Know Your Message

Think About It Think About it -- Know Your Message
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Carl Chinn

Carl Chinn

Aug 9, 2025

“Ladies and gentlemen, I ask that you please direct your attention to the monitors above as we review the emergency procedures.

There are six emergency exits on this aircraft. Take a moment to locate the exit nearest you. Note that the nearest exit may be behind you.

Should the cabin experience sudden pressure loss, stay calm and listen for instructions from the cabin crew. Oxygen masks will drop down from above your seat. Place the mask over your mouth and nose, like this. Pull the strap to tighten it. If you are traveling with children, make sure that your own mask is on first before helping your children.

In the unlikely event of an emergency landing and evacuation, leave your carry-on items behind. Life rafts are located below your seats and emergency lighting will lead you to your closest exit and slide.

We ask that you make sure that all carry-on luggage is stowed away safely during the flight. While we wait for takeoff, please take a moment to review the safety data card in the seat pocket in front of you.

As a reminder, smoking is not permitted in any area of the aircraft, including the lavatories. Tampering with, disabling, or destroying a lavatory smoke detector is prohibited. On behalf of the captain and crew, it is our pleasure to have you aboard. Enjoy your flight”

I fly a lot. As I listened to the announcement again yesterday on my flight to Atlanta, I wondered how many times I’ve heard it and how many times I’ve seen someone smoking on an airplane.

How ever many times I’ve flown is how many times I’ve heard the announcement (or one very similar to it). I’ve never one time seen anyone smoking on a plane.

Think About it

Repetition seems to be wasted time and words to most people. But there are good reasons why the same message is repeated often with seemingly common sense instructions. The airline industry understands the value of a repetitious, consistent message.

Before I got on the plane yesterday, I was on my home gun range with an instructor coaching a new gun owner next to me. I heard all the familiar instructions as he was telling him, “focus on the front sight”, “firmly grip …”, etc. The same message he’s given to hundreds for decades.

Know your message and be consistent.

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