BraniffIntl@aol.com writes: << no major injuries to the 159 people aboard - which is a miracle as the rear inflatable slide did not come in contact with the ground because the tail was so high in the air! Those passengers dropped almost vertically to >> Why is this done? Fear that the acft will catch fire or...? Is that the pilots decision or company policy or variable---seems pretty dangerous to jump 30-40 feet out of an acft door onto the pavement when in 10 min a set of stairs would be available for a more civilized and safer exit. Dennis