Remain seated until engines are turned off

[RobertXYZ]

Can anybody explain why it is important to remain
seated until the engines are turned off ? I travelled
using an Airbus 310,some people got out of their seats
which prompted the stwerdess to say "please remain seated,
there is a reason for this"

I would like to know what the reason is and what could
happen.

Robert

 

[BoeingBoy]

Hi Robert,

While some airlines may have slightly different procedures - at US Airways the seatbelt sign going off at the gate is the signal that passengers can get up - it's based on the FAA requirement that passengers must remain seated while the aircraft is moving on the ground.

That, in turn, is based on safety - till the signal is given by the folks in the cockpit, whether the engines shutting down or the seatbelt sign turned off, there's the possibility that the aircraft may still move. If passengers are standing while the aircraft is moving, a sudden stop could cause people to fall or baggage to fall from open overhead bins, which could result in injury.

For example, the plane could have stopped 10 - 15 feet from it's designated parking position while equipment is moved, so would resume movement when it's clear. The signal from the cockpit tells the F/A's (and knowledgeable passengers) that it's safe to get up.

Jim