Southwest Airlines Community

I used to think that turbulence was nothing more than a few bumps with the occasional quick drops now and again. That was before my flight from Birmingham to Orlando this evening. It changed my whole perspective on air travel and flight turbulence. I'm not posting this comment to scare people or keep them from ever flying again ( I know I will fly again) but to inform fliers that there is alway a chance that a "bump" can turn extremely frightening to even the most experienced passengers. Our pilot warned us that leaving Birmingham could be bumpy but should smooth out after sometime. The fasten seat belt sign remained on during the entire flight. It wasn't until at a high altitude and 40 minutes into the flight (skies even looked clear) when we hit what some called turbulence of the highest degree. The drama began with a loud popping sound (I was sitting next to an engine) and a sudden drop as if we lost one of the engines on the 737. The sudden drop happened in a flash so it seemed. But during that flash the flight attendant who was standing in front of me was all of the sudden lying on the floor clutching at the seat supports. People all around me started screaming. Two kids on my left started crying. Panic was in everyone eye's, especially the flight attentant on the floor in front of me. The plane was shaking and was diving what seemed like forever. I thought we had lost an engine and were heading down for an emergency landing if that. I must admit that I thought to myself that this could be it. My life could end in a stupid plane crash. After a few moments that seemed like an eternity my senses came back to me. I heard a deep voice behind me repeating "It's gonna be ok, It's gonna be ok". As we continued to dive I asked the flight attendant lying on the ground if this was indeed just turbulence. The answer from the passenger behind me and the flight attendant on the floor was YES. Wow, and I use to think that I'v experienced rough turbulence before. Anyway, it turns out that 2 passengers and 2 flight attendants were not fastened in. One flight attendant hit her head on the ceiling as she pushed the two passengers to the floor for safety. Kudos to her. We didn't hear of anyone being seriously injured but I'm sure a few people will be sore tomorrow. We made it down on the ground but all the talk from the passengers aboard were of the horrific experience we had. Rumors began stirring about the pilot and his air speed at that altitude and about what really happened. For me, I'm just glad that we made it home safely without any major injuries. I also want to inform fliers that turbulence can be more than just bumps. This type of turbulence might be rare and may never happen to you OR it could happen on your second flying experience (like my girlfriend next to me). The point is that we all need to understand that it could happen and to be aware of it. I'm just glad we made it home and the plane stayed together.. ... View more