Over the Thanksgiving holiday, my family and I went to upstate New York. Since I have been learning to evaluate instruction, I couldn't help evaluating the airline's safety instruction. Most of the time I ignore the flight attendants when they talk about the emergency exits. This time I wanted to watch them and see if their instruction would live up the criteria I have learned in IDET.
The verbal instructions were clear--even young children could understand them. The only word that children may not understand is "turbulence." The entry behaviors were low--the flight attendants tell people how to use a seat belt. I suppose they do this in case someone has never used those kind of seat belts, or has never been on an airplane and will panic. The icons all over the plane (no smoking, seat belt signs, exits) are helpful for international fliers and children. Two criticisms: the "job aid" or safety packet has some unclear pictures and people sitting in the back of the plane may not be able to see the flight attendants as they demonstrate seat belt usage. On the whole, however, the airline's instruction is simple and keeps the passengers safe during normal flights. Hopefully no one will have to transfer the instruction to an actual emergency.
A nonexample of safety instruction is the scene from "It's a Mad, Mad World," when the Colonel jabbers more than teaches the two men who to land their plane. "You'll make it men, I have confidence in you."
