Passengers asked to balanace plane - would you have flown?

[SantaClaus]

Yep, I think I had this on Easyjet.

Same thing happened on a helicopter sighseeing trip. Fatties at the back , which meant me and my wife got front seats

[shaunbhoy]

I would have thought most Geordies would have been inwardly chuffed at being deemed suitable to do anything as unfamiliarly complex as acting as cargo ballast.
If the crew are still prepared to get on board that works for me.

[NotAllThere]

As long as the crew don't look worried, neither am I.

me either. They're "risking" their necks as well and they're the experts. Oh, hang on, in Britain we don't trust experts any more. I mean, what do they know?

[The Lone Gunman]

The balance of the plane is more about fuel efficiency than its ability to fly. Unless there were some incredibly heavy item unbalancing it the planes balance can be maintained with the flight surfaces and the engines.

Silly people.

[cailin maith]

As long as the crew don't look worried, neither am I.

Same here - doubt they would be rilling to risk their lives, so it must be safe enough. This is what they do for a living - I'd just move - whats the big deal?

[TheVoice]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/8115216.stm

Dozens of holidaymakers returning to Newcastle refused to fly after they were asked to act as human ballast.

Firstly declaring an interest...Ex-Thomas Cook contractor here...for that matter, several airlines.

Perfectly normal & everyday procedure for airlines. Those who fly regularly will know that there are often seat rows blocked off so people only use those rows where the weight is needed.

Would you sooner end up with an out of balance & dangerous aircraft or be safe? If you wouldnt fly, for god sake just get off & let those who know better get to their destination.

[The Lone Gunman]

The only question is whether the "jammed" cargo door is safe. Could it possibly pop open during flight? What would be the consequences of that?

[Durbs]

The only question is whether the "jammed" cargo door is safe. Could it possibly pop open during flight? What would be the consequences of that?

AFAIK the cargo hold isn't pressurized so don't think it would be a major disaster? Some might end up on their hols minus their gruds.

Don't want that to happen on a ferry though.

[sweetandsour]

I would have flown, not that I would have been on a Thomas Cook charter flight you understand, but you know what I mean.

This did happen to me once, on a 50-seat propellor aricraft flying back to England from Jersey. There were only seven other passengers and they looked like they were all on business trips so had no luggage.

Before take-off, after a discussion with the pilot, the stewardess stood at the front and asked if everyone could move back a few rows because the plane was a little "nose heavy". We all did and there was no incident on the flight.

I do agree with the other posters, if the pilot is happy to fly the plane then I am not going to argue.

[xoggoth]

Unless exceptionally hefty luggage/very fat passengers this is not about stability or safety but fuel economy. The weight distribution of the plane is important to that, even the fuel systems include for progressive transfer of fuel between aft and rear tanks as it is used.