Southwest Airlines wants you to keep your battery packs visible onboard, and so do I. The carrier announced last month that it would require passengers using portable power packs to keep them visible when they recharge their devices onboard. It’s a smart move, and I suspect other airlines will follow their lead; electronics on planes can be a danger hiding in plain sight. They are increasingly linked to onboard fires.
I’ve been asked a lot this year if flying is still safe, and the data shows it is. But I understand why people are asking the question: there was a historic, fatal accident involving a passenger jet at the start of the year, and since then, there’s been a steady drumbeat of other news about issues in the aviation safety net, including problems with air traffic control. However, one thing that isn't being talked about is what passengers can do to keep flying safe, including steps they can take to prevent fires onboard.
I’m not here to say the aviation system is perfect aside from passengers, either. The Federal Aviation Administration needs more funding to hire air traffic controllers and upgrade its equipment. There are always things the industry can do to make flying even safer than it already is. But day to day, those aren’t my real concerns.
