The double ding is sounded and the blue sterile cockpit light is illuminated. This is our indication that we’re on our final approach into San Francisco. I perform one last cabin check and make sure my galley is secure.

I then strap myself into my jump seat. Once I am position, I begin my thirty second review:

Where are my exits?
What are my commands?
Who would be my able bodied assistants?

My thought process is suddenly broken by the captain speaking in a loud but controlled voice, “BRACE FOR IMPACT!”

Immediately I follow suit, “HEADS DOWN!” “STAY DOWN!” “HEADS DOWN!” “STAY DOWN!” “HEADS DOWN!” “STAY DOWN!” “HEADS DOWN!” “STAY DOWN!” “HEADS DOWN!” “STAY DOWN!” HEADS DOWN!” “STAY DOWN!”

“REMAIN SEATED!”

I release my harness, jump out of my seat and asses the conditions outside my window all the while repeating the captains directive, “REMAIN SEATED!” “REMAIN SEATED!” “REMAIN SEATED!”

“EASY VICTOR!” “EASY VICTOR!”

It’s go time! I reassess my conditions. Looks clear: free of fire, smoke and water. I flick on the emergency escape path lighting, grab hold of the assist handle and rotate the door handle counter clockwise. Once the door is open and locked up against the fuselage, I pull the red inflation handle and begin my commands,   “UNFASTEN SEAT BELTS!” “LEAVE BELONGINGS!” “COME THIS WAY!” “JUMP!” “JUMP!” “UNFASTEN SEATBELTS!” “LEAVE BELONGINGS!” “COME THIS WAY!” “JUMP!” “JUMP!” “JUMP!””UNFASTEN SEATBELTS!” LEAVE BELONGINGS!””COME THIS WAY!””JUMP!””JUMP!””JUMP!”

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