“Main character syndrome is making life hell for normal people…”

A JetBlue passenger reportedly tried to open an emergency exit after complicated a standard plane sound for a mechanical failure. The occasion occurred whereas the airplane was nonetheless on the bottom, and nobody was injured, in accordance with studies.

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What the “barking dog” sound aboard the JetBlue flight actually is

In the video that went viral on X, the feminine passenger is visibly anxious and pacing the aisle. It appears that after hearing the Airbus A320’s well-known “barking dog” noise, she panicked.

The passenger advised different passengers that the airplane was “broken” and tried to persuade the flight attendants to cease the airplane from taking off.

She claimed that her boyfriend was a pilot and that these weren’t regular noises for an airplane to be making. Luckily for everybody aboard, the “barking dog” noises have been only a regular sound created by the Power Transfer Unit (PTU). It is a generally heard noise on this kind of plane.

The PTU mechanically balances hydraulic stress between the plane’s programs, in accordance with Grupo One Air’s detailed webpage. It usually prompts when one engine is operating or throughout shutdown, producing a rhythmic whirring that some describe as a muffled bark. While innocent, the sound can shock vacationers unfamiliar with Airbuses.

In this case, the passenger’s misunderstanding led her to tempo the aisle and ultimately transfer towards an over-wing exit. Fortunately, a flight attendant and passengers intervened earlier than she may try to open the door.

The crew remained calm and reassured close by passengers that the plane was working usually. The airplane stayed safely on the bottom all through the state of affairs.

Reports recommend the girl could have been on a cellphone name together with her boyfriend even after the cabin doorways have been secured, a violation of ordinary process. Once the state of affairs de-escalated, the flight continued with out additional difficulty.

When the video of the incident appeared on-line, customers shortly weighed in. Many discovered the misunderstanding each alarming and oddly relatable. One Reddit commenter quipped, “That’s not PTU, that’s the safety briefing for any dogs onboard.” Another requested, “Boyfriend is a pilot? Of what …a Cessna 150 or Boeing 737? Lots of variables in that statement!” to which a 3rd Redditor quipped, “He has over 1000 hours in Airport Tycoon.”

On X, reactions ranged from sympathy to humor. @Tacdatm wrote, “It must have been scary for sure with all this media frenzy on every single aviation accident and incident […] Flying remains the safest mode of transportation.”

Aviation lovers jumped in to make clear the technical particulars.

@DonnieWatsonUK defined, “It called ‘cogging’ and usually occurs under low load conditions […] When under load it will make similar sounds but higher frequency and I think that’s technically called ‘hunting’ rather than cogging.”

Others centered on passenger conduct. @denisee_re commented, “‘Why is the other lady freaking out like that?’ Um maybe because you have this other lady freaking out and trying to open an emergency exit mid flight while she’s 3 seats away????”

Meanwhile, @EnriqueM262 remarked, “Main character syndrome is making life hell for normal people…” and @sr71fan90 praised close by vacationers for serving to. “Great job exit row passenger assisting in the case of a non-emergency.”

JetBlue didn’t reply instantly to the Daily Dot’s request for remark by way of e-mail.

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