This is the one thing the FAA says you must leave behind in an emergency

Man busted on plane for vaping defends himself

Peter Nguyen has since issued an apology after the viral confrontation mid-air.

LOS ANGELES - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a safety alert to airlines, urging them to reinforce a crucial safety message: passengers must leave their bags behind during an emergency evacuation.

What we know:

On Sept. 19, the FAA published a Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) recommending that airlines and other aviation companies update their emergency evacuation procedures. This includes flight-crew training, announcements, and command procedures during emergencies.

The alert is a direct response to a pattern of passengers taking their luggage with them during emergencies, which the FAA says "slows the evacuation and puts lives at risk." 

SUGGESTED: 

• Spirit Airlines slashes flights, warns of more job cuts amid second bankruptcy
• Major cruise line suspends Caribbean destination visits amid kidnappings, safety concerns
• Watch: American Airlines passenger removed after telling crew to ‘shut up’

The agency also noted that carry-on items "can damage emergency slides."

The backstory:

The FAA highlighted several recent emergency evacuations where passengers were seen scrambling off planes with their luggages.

In July, an American Airlines flight headed to Miami, Florida was evacuated at Denver International Airport after a landing gear tire failed during the takeoff roll, causing a loud boom, smoke, and flames. People could be seen exiting the plane on an emergency slide before running away from the aircraft as fire and smoke were observed under the plane. 

SUGGESTED:

• NTSB: Multiple system failures led to Alaska Airlines door plug blowout
• Delta flight diverted to MSP, 25 people hospitalized after 'significant turbulence'
• Delta flight makes emergency landing at LAX after engine fire caught on video

In May, nearly 300 passengers on a Hawaiian Airlines flight were diverted to a San Diego tarmac over a possible bomb threat. Police arrested one person but nothing suspicious was found on the plane. 

A month before that incident, a Delta plane's engine caught on fire while the plane was leaving the gate at Orlando International Airport in Florida. The plane was carrying 300 passengers, resulting in a slide evacuation.

What's next:

The FAA suggests airlines incorporate new messaging into their safety briefings to emphasize that passengers must leave all belongings behind without exception. 

The goal is to establish and normalize the expected behavior by promoting the idea that "everyone leaves bags behind."