I read with great interest the report, "Fasten your seat belts - aviation experts advise in the wake of the recent Qantas scare" (my paper, Oct 9).

I had a frightening experience while travelling on a full-service commercial airline from Bangkok to Singapore more than eight years ago.

After the plane took off from the former Bangkok International Airport in good weather, it was cruising smoothly at high altitude for about 20 minutes.

The crew had just served meals to passengers with special requirements when the aircraft suddenly took a steep plunge, shocking passengers on board.

Trays and cutlery were violently thrown about. Many passengers who had their seat belts unfastened screamed in fear as they were dislodged from their seats and went flying into the air.

All this happened very quickly and, in a matter of minutes, the situation was back to normal, with the pilot announcing that we had hit an air pocket, which is a common air-travel hazard.

This incident has taught me an invaluable lesson, which is to always keep my seat belt fastened throughout the journey, for you do not know when you will need it.

Mr Nelson Quah

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