the key word is "removed." Of course we know 'soiled and not removed' is definitely in the airline dictionary. Much like the ratios of pax to exit doors, there is probably a ratio between pax and floatation devices (include crew!) I've heard of a story with an AC 747 leaving on March 31st from Tampa to Toronto. They couldn't confirm the forward starboard door was closing correctly. They deboarded about 50 pax in and around the door and were about to get on their way when the blue-haired crowd (anyone who knows the flight will understand why March 31st is important) started whispering that it was to prevent people from being sucked out the door in an emergency. Needless to say, panic ensued, and a pax had a cardiac arrest and died in his seat. The flight left many hours late for multiple reasons. But it had nothing to do with being sucked out. Matthew On Nov 29, 2003, at 6:59 PM, Russell Ng wrote: > Ian > > It might have something to do with the seat cushions doubling as > flotation > devices in case of emergency. > > Russell Ng > SIN > > At 08:15 PM 11/29/03 -0500, you wrote: >> On Wednesday an Air Wisconsin ( United Express ) BAE 146 flight I >> was on >> from ORD to MKE ( 16 minute flight) was delayed for 1.5 hours because >> the >> seat cushions in 1A and 1B had been soiled and removed. They couldn't >> find >> any replacement cushions and they wouldn't let the aircraft leave the >> gate >> until a mechanic came on board and roped off the two seats. Is there >> an FAA >> rule that you can't leave the gate without all the seats having >> cushions, >> even empty ones?