The common sense rule of leaving baggage behind during an emergency evacuation is "one of the greatest dilemmas facing cabin crew and airlines" according to one Australian expert.

Footage taken of the emergency evacuation of the Emirates plane which crash-landed and caught fire in Dubai shows dozens of passengers holding up the process by taking their bags out of the overhead luggage compartments.

So what can airlines do to stop people hindering emergency evacuations from planes?

We spoke to two Australian experts on the issue.

Why Do People Do It?

Aviation consultant Trevor Jensen said many people already flouted air rules, including standing up before the seatbelt sign has been turned off after a regular landing.

"You see it time and time again where people start to get up and get their bags," Mr Jensen said.

"(But) bear in mind this aircraft comes to a halt in an emergency ... a lot of people would be in state of shock.

"The natural reaction is to go for your bag."

He said it appeared the cabin crew had followed all the right procedures.

"From the video we've seen it seems to be the cabin crew are very highly trained, and the fact they got everyone off is pretty impressive as well," he said.

What Are the Consequences?

Well, there aren't any, legally speaking. But you could pay with your life.

"This (Emirates) aircraft stopped and then it burst into flames," Mr Jensen said.

"You've got to get out of these planes. A passport and money can always be redeemed, your life cannot, it's a pretty simple exercise.

"The key issue is that survival depends on people following the rules."

What's the procedure for evacuating a plane?

Cabin safety consultant Sue Rice, who worked as a flight attendant for 24 years before becoming a cabin safety officer, ran us through the procedure.

"Their first action would have been to undo their harness, check the outside conditions, that it is safe, that there's no fire," Ms Rice said.

"They would have opened the doors, the slides would have deployed and they would have told people to (leave their) seat, leave their bags behind and get out."

When Else Has It Happened?

"Now this trend in recent years of passengers in a life-threatening situation taking their own baggage with them is one of the greatest dilemmas facing cabin crew and airlines that we've had for a long time," she said.

"You may recall there was a British Airways plane in Las Vegas ... they evacuated and there's footage of those passengers running across the tarmac with all of their bags ... (and) some stopping to turn around and take photos.

"So it's a dilemma that faces aviation safety specialists and trainers all over the world."

Can We Fine People Who Flout the Rules?

Well, no.

Ms Rice said it was more important to inform people.

"Education is the key to deter people," Ms Rice said.

She said, like traffic lights, it was unlikely a fine or legal ramifications would be introduced unless there was a fatality.

"Until such time as the authorities are able to say, categorically, that there has been fatality as a result of passengers taking bags, then ... I don't believe that anything will change," she said.

How About Locking Over-head Compartments?

This one has actually been considered.

"That is something that has been talked about within the industry for at least two or three years," Ms Rice said.

"I wouldn't say never, I would imagine that the aircraft manufacturers would make that as an added cost to the airlines when they are buying an airplane ... because it would be another mechanical internal process (or) an automated process on the airplane, and that would have to come at a cost."

What Else Can Be Done?

Watch the safety video.

Even if you've seen it 100 times.

Trevor Jensen, a former pilot who was the chief executive officer at Aer Lingus and group general manager of airline operations at Qantas, still watches it.

"One of the problems is people don't watch it ... it makes them look like they're new (to flying)," he said.

"I watch it every time.

"And if you watch it every single time, if it happens, it's got to be second nature."

And Last But Not Least

"Follow the instructions of the crew, they've been trained," he said.

"Do not take any baggage with you, simple stuff."

Related News:

    Emirates Plane Catches Fire in Dubai; Hundreds Escape, 1 Firefighter Killed

    Emirates Flight EK521 Involved in an Operational Incident upon Landing