Everyone has heard flight attendants announce what to do in the unlikely event of an emergency landing or evacuation. That alone used to get me thinking about airline safety, which is why I sent this inquiry to American Airlines…

Dear Safety Specialists:

I think you guys are doing a terrific job. The only airline I’ll fly is American, not only because of your safety record, but also because I think your planes have the best color scheme.

Could you please explain why planes have flotation devices under seats instead of parachutes? Wouldn’t parachutes be a lot more effective in case of an “unlikely” problem? Also, I heard they test the strength of airline windshields by firing chickens out of a cannon-like machine at them. Is this true? And if so, do those same chickens then become airline food? That would sure explain a lot of things about those chicken entrees.

Proud to be and fly American!

The American Airlines Executive Office responded with:

I appreciate your kind words; thank you for taking the time to write. I always enjoy hearing from our customers, but when such a positive letter arrives, it is a special treat indeed.

Everyone at American is working hard to provide our customers with the highest level of service in the industry. We are committed to quality and very proud of our safety record, and it is great to hear that our commitment is noticed and appreciated. We want every trip to be a pleasurable experience, and I am delighted that in your case we seem to be succeeding.

While undoubtedly you would like to see parachutes under the seats of our aircraft, the safety experts agree it would be very unlikely that, in the event of a problem, we would ever have the opportunity to become “paratroopers.”

Comments such as yours motivate us to do an even better job. On behalf of all of us at American, thank you for your comments, your compliments and your business.

Final Thoughts: It was impressive that this response came directly from someone in the Executive Office back in 1997. I also appreciated his take on the parachute issue. While American didn’t touch the chicken questions, the “Chicken Gun” does exist to simulate direct bird strikes during flight. For some intriguing insights into the Chicken Gun, check out these articles on the U.S. Air Force and Aerospace Engineering & Manufacturing websites. No word on whether the chicken remains are served on flights or at airports.

Here’s how American Airlines says they’re Keeping Passengers and Employees Safe at All Times today. Never jump to conclusions when you have a safety concern about a service or product, play it safe and Write The Company.