@Splat wrote:
I don't travel all that much, but recently got back from a 4 hour flight. The seatbelt sign was on for 80 percent of the flight, both legs. It was totally unnecessary as the clouds were stratus, flat, and uniform. Turbulence was very mild, yet the seatbelt sign came on and stayed on through landing.
Here is my working hypothesis: it all relates to money, specifically insurance premiums Southwest pays for passenger liability. My guess is that their insurance company jacked rates with all the recent news of passengers being thrown about from clear air turbulence and requiring hospitalization. I'm guessing here; perhaps the insurance company said, if you keep the seatbelt sign on X percent of the time, your rate will go down significantly.
Communication came down from upper management and the pilots followed orders.
Interesting analysis. Yes, home and car insurance rates for sure went through a steep inflationary cycle this summer (we all felt it with our wallets) but not sure if this is true for liability insurance. However, I think you are correct that having the seat belt light on even through the "smoothest" of forecasted turbulence is to protect the airline from liability (e.g. if one gets up to go to the bathroom when the seatbelt light is on, they do so at their own risk--if the plane does in fact "hit" a bump and that person trips, they cannot hold SW liable if the sign is on). I don't think however having the sign on for X-amount of time has a direct role of how rates are determined. Communication related to safety and turbulence is also done with Air Traffic Control and other pilots. The communication from the management would be err on the side of caution and keep the light on if pilots suspect any risks.
Here's an interesting read from On Mile at a Time on the policies of this little iconic light that we see on the cabin ceiling:
https://onemileatatime.com/insights/airlines-seatbelt-sign-policies/
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