Strangely enough, it does make a difference where you sit on a plane. So, the next time you hear that old song: "Come Fly With Me,Let's Float Down To Peru," be smart: Pick The Right Seat!
Because crossing your fingers, chewing your nails or any other diversion probably won't work.
Most everyone thinks that a plane plummeting out of control from the sky will kill everyone onboard. Actually, the majority of airplane crashes involve something else: SURVIORS. Hard landings, bad takeoffs, runway collisions, pilot error, make up about 50 percent of airplane accidents.
And your chances of escaping may depend on where you're seated.
Why? Because most travelers who die in survivable crashes aren't killed by the impact; they die from toxic smoke inhalation immediately afterward. It's a proven fact that getting out ALIVE comes down to two factors: surviving the initial impact and getting out fast. With that in mind, sitting in the middle of a huge jumbo jet along with 450 other passengers, is not a good idea, since on many planes, you're sitting over the center fuel tanks.
Always try and score a seat by an emergency exit near the rear of the plane. Here's a quick rundown: Plane: 757: safest seats: 10A, 10F. There are NO 9A or 9F seats to block your quick exit. Plane: 747: rows 61 through 64, closest to the window. Plane: MD80: safest seats: Rows 21 and 22 - roomy and away from the engines. Plane: 737: as far to the rear as you can get.
More Safe Bets: Best planes with safety records: Southwest, Jet Blue and America West.
Choose a big plane. Single engine craft account for 73 percent of all accidents and 68 percent of all fatalities. Those with more than 30 seats are your best bet.
