Yes, Your Seat Cushion CAN Be Used As A Flotation Device

It appears that in the aftermath of last week's downing of US Airways Flight 1549, more airline travelers at least say they're paying better attention to flight attendants during the pre-takeoff safety presentation.

Online travel network TripAdvisor announced the results Tuesday of its airline safety awareness survey, conducted from January 16-20. Out of more than 2,100 respondents, 61 percent said they frequently pay attention to the in-flight safety presentation.

Of the 32 percent who said they rarely or never pay attention to the in-flight safety presentation, 81 percent said it is because they already know it by heart.

Fifty percent of travelers surveyed said they have read the seat-back instruction card in the past... but following last week's "Miracle on the Hudson," 62 percent are more likely to read it in the future.

Seventy-three percent of respondents said they always check the locations of the exits on the plane, while 20 percent often do. Twelve percent of travelers avoid booking in the emergency exit row because they don't want the responsibility of opening the doors and assisting the crew in an emergency.

Sixty-seven percent of respondents said that during a flight, they feel prepared in the event of an emergency. Seventy-five percent of travelers believe they would know what to do in the event of a water landing.

Fifteen percent of travelers said they have experienced an emergency landing. Five percent of travelers said they have been on a flight where the oxygen masks were deployed, and two percent have had to pull the life jacket out from under their seat.

Ninety-one percent said they always keep their seat belt fastened for the journey.

"The events of last week gave us all -- even frequent flyers -- a renewed awareness of the importance of airline safety precautions and procedures," said Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor. "It's clear that the majority of travelers are paying attention."

In an interesting sidenote, TripAdvisor also asked respondents what they felt would be the best ways to recognize the crew of Flight 1549. Monetary compensation and medals of honor were the top two responses.

FMI: www.tripadvisor.com