If you’re like me, you don’t necessarily jump when the captain gets on the microphone and says he’s had to turn the seat belt sign on because there may be bumps up ahead.  Usually, when I hear this, I am half asleep, and I try to think how I can position my body or blanket or laptop so no one will see if I ignore the seat belt sign.

That’s a pretty dumb idea, as some United Airlines passengers learned first hand today.  22 people were injured on a flight from Washington, DC headed toward Los Angeles when the plane encountered a few seconds of very heavy turbulence.  Many of the passengers who didn’t have their seat belts on flew out of their seats, some hitting the ceiling.

I think I’ll pay more attention next time I hear that announcement.