The pilots of the Southwest 737 dove to avoid crashing into another airplane (reported to be a Hawker Hunter MK 58 single-seat fighter jet) shortly after takeoff from Burbank. That makes it odd that people bounced out of their seats, since all passengers and flight attendants should be in their seats with the seat belts on.
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Heroes - and to respond to your title - ALWAYS
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YES.
I have been quite consistent and insistent in using seat belts, and also helmets when bicycling or skiing. Decades of seat belts plus helmets have only saved me once – which is sort of the point. You never know when you will need one.
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Yup. Apart from what seems to be an alarming number of near misses (and unfortunately not always misses) since changes in the FAA and ATC issues, clear air turbulence is always possible - and usually occurs at the altitudes where the seat belt sign is off.
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My dad worked for the airlines and he taught us young to ignore the seatbelt sign and always always leave it on unless going to the bathroom. I’ve taught my daughter the same.
Most flight attendants do remind passengers to keep their seatbelts fastened when seated but no one pays attention to the announcements anymore.
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Another vote for keeping it on (although perhaps loosened while napping on a long flight) except when stretching/going to the bathroom.
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Another incident on a Delta flight with 25 people needing medical attention after severe turbulence. https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/31/travel/video/delta-turbulence-passenger-abc-digvid
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Apparently, the plane hit turbulence during meal service, so some of the carts hit the ceiling.
On a few airlines, they take orders and bring out drinks and snacks without carts. But airlines with meal service always seem to use carts, even for drink and snack only service.