Were the unfortunate 50 or so passengers injured onboard Monday’s LATAM Airways flight LA800 from Sydney to Auckland wearing their seatbelts? We have been conditioned to put our seatbelts on, and keep them on, whenever we get into a car, so why not put them on and keep them on when flying in a plane?

We’re told to fasten our seatbelts during pre-flight safety demonstrations, during landing and take-off, but once that much-anticipated ping is heard after climb-out and the seatbelt sign disappears – particularly on long flights – you soon hear the familiar click-clack as many passengers decide the rest of the flight will be smooth and remove their pesky restraints. This occurs despite the request from cabin crew and pilots to keep them fastened at all times for safety.

LATAM Airlines flight LA800 dropped dramatically, injuring passengers as a result.

Why should you bother to do that? Let’s consider what flying has become over the past 100-plus years and, more importantly, since the jet age.

I’m old enough to........

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