Behind The Oddly Satisfying Process of Testing Airplane Emergency Slide 

AA Flight Attendant here…. I was selected to do aircraft certification when we took delivery of the B757 with the USAir merger. 4 FAs strapped into our jump seats. FAA inspectors sit in front of or near ALL exits. The window shades are all lowered so the cabin is pitch black. We knew that we would be evacuating but we didn’t know which doors would be operational. We were required to evacuate all 189 “victims” as you called them in 90 seconds w/ only HALF the doors being used. The FAs & victims all had to just sit in their seats waiting for the signal to go. I think we waited a good 15-20 mins before we were given the signal to evacuate. I was seated at the front 2 doors. My 1st door was usable. That door whipped open and my slide deployed as expected & I began the evacuation. My 2nd door in the forward galley would not open so I had to commence my evacuation with the one door. The whole process happened SO quickly I couldn’t believe it when my area was clear & I was jumping down the slide myself. 189 passengers, 4 of 8 doors were used & we had everyone off in 78 seconds. One of the most incredible experiences in my 30 year career.

Person who have never listened to the instructions

They can be both