Experts reveal that viral seatbelt tip could endanger lives
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In the age of social media, viral tips designed to simplify lives are a dime a dozen.
However, not all of them are safe or advisable, as demonstrated by a recent viral tip that has garnered over 21 million views.
One video, that promises a solution to the discomfort of sleeping on long-haul flights, has sparked concern among travel experts who warn that the hack could be life-threatening.
The tip, shared by a user named Lexi, showed her demonstrating a method to achieve a more comfortable sleep in the notoriously cramped economy section of an aeroplane.
She suggested curling up on the seat and fastening the seatbelt around the ankles to prevent slipping off during sleep.
'To whoever it was that said to put the plane belt around your ankles, I owe you my life,' she wrote in the caption.
While this might seem like an ingenious solution to the discomfort of sleeping in economy class, flight safety experts have been quick to debunk the hack as potentially dangerous.
Michael Wallace, a Travel Expert and CEO of Greenback Expat Tax Services, explained to Thrillist why this method could be hazardous.
'If it’s attached to your ankles, this could put you in a life-threatening situation as you take extra time first to unbuckle and re-buckle your seatbelt,' he said.
'If the plane hits turbulence that causes you to lean forward at an increased rate, colliding with the seat in front of you and your knees can lead to two very different outcomes.'
Wallace further warned that a sudden jolt could cause the passenger to knee themselves in the face, potentially resulting in a concussion.
This is a concern not only for the passenger but also for the flight staff who are responsible for the safety of all on board.
When a commenter questioned the comfort of her method, Lexi responded, saying, 'I’m someone who has to sleep with my legs up [and] I usually tuck my feet behind the seat. I can’t sleep in a sitting position—it’s too [uncomfortable]! This was also a 3-hour flight…'
Furthermore, other users on the video agreed with the experts and expressed doubts about the safety and comfort of the hack.
'My knees would be like grenades when I [unbuckle] it,' one user wrote.
'No way that’s safe,' another replied.
A flight attendant also chimed in, pleading, 'As a flight attendant…please don’t.'
One user who tried the tip reported being reprimanded by a flight attendant.
You can watch Lexi’s full video below:
Video source: TikTok/@alexisburnaby1711.
While it's understandable that passengers seek comfort during long-haul flights, safety should always be the top priority. It's crucial to follow the safety guidelines provided by the airline and to listen to the instructions of the flight crew.
What are your thoughts on this tip, dear members? Let us know in the comments below!
However, not all of them are safe or advisable, as demonstrated by a recent viral tip that has garnered over 21 million views.
One video, that promises a solution to the discomfort of sleeping on long-haul flights, has sparked concern among travel experts who warn that the hack could be life-threatening.
The tip, shared by a user named Lexi, showed her demonstrating a method to achieve a more comfortable sleep in the notoriously cramped economy section of an aeroplane.
She suggested curling up on the seat and fastening the seatbelt around the ankles to prevent slipping off during sleep.
A woman shared her tip to achieve a more comfortable sleep onboard an aeroplane. Image source: TikTok/@alexisburnaby1711.
'To whoever it was that said to put the plane belt around your ankles, I owe you my life,' she wrote in the caption.
While this might seem like an ingenious solution to the discomfort of sleeping in economy class, flight safety experts have been quick to debunk the hack as potentially dangerous.
Michael Wallace, a Travel Expert and CEO of Greenback Expat Tax Services, explained to Thrillist why this method could be hazardous.
'If it’s attached to your ankles, this could put you in a life-threatening situation as you take extra time first to unbuckle and re-buckle your seatbelt,' he said.
'If the plane hits turbulence that causes you to lean forward at an increased rate, colliding with the seat in front of you and your knees can lead to two very different outcomes.'
Wallace further warned that a sudden jolt could cause the passenger to knee themselves in the face, potentially resulting in a concussion.
This is a concern not only for the passenger but also for the flight staff who are responsible for the safety of all on board.
When a commenter questioned the comfort of her method, Lexi responded, saying, 'I’m someone who has to sleep with my legs up [and] I usually tuck my feet behind the seat. I can’t sleep in a sitting position—it’s too [uncomfortable]! This was also a 3-hour flight…'
Furthermore, other users on the video agreed with the experts and expressed doubts about the safety and comfort of the hack.
'My knees would be like grenades when I [unbuckle] it,' one user wrote.
'No way that’s safe,' another replied.
A flight attendant also chimed in, pleading, 'As a flight attendant…please don’t.'
One user who tried the tip reported being reprimanded by a flight attendant.
You can watch Lexi’s full video below:
Video source: TikTok/@alexisburnaby1711.
While it's understandable that passengers seek comfort during long-haul flights, safety should always be the top priority. It's crucial to follow the safety guidelines provided by the airline and to listen to the instructions of the flight crew.
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