Welcome to PFL Safetycards + @ www.safetycards.org
Step into a world where every flight, no matter how routine or extraordinary, leaves behind a tangible trace of its journey – the humble safety card. I invite you to embark on a thrilling exploration of aviation’s hidden treasures, as I take you on a journey into the enchanting world of safety card collecting.
At safetycards.org, I celebrate the artistry, diversity, and historical significance of these often-overlooked airline artifacts. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting to discover the allure of aviation safety cards, this website is your gateway to a vibrant community of enthusiasts who share your passion.
So fasten your seatbelt, stow your tray table, and prepare for takeoff as we embark on a thrilling journey through the world of safety card collecting. Welcome aboard safetycards.org, where every safety card tells a story, and every collector is part of a vibrant, global community united by their passion for aviation safety!
This is just a hobby page, and all images are scans of safety cards in my collection. I show them as they are, and I don’t provide high-resolution images.
Feel free to browse my collection. Are you a collector yourself? Contact me at trades@safetycards.org
Types of Safetycards
An important distinction is how many times, if at all, the card can be folded.
The most basic form is a single, unfolded card, providing a straightforward, single-page view of safety instructions. For more comprehensive details, a card can be a double-fold, created with a single crease that divides the information across two panels. When a card is folded twice, it becomes a tri-fold, which offers three separate panels for a multi-page instructional guide. This variety in folding allows airlines to tailor the presentation of safety procedures to the specific needs of different aircraft and situations. There are even four- and five-fold cards around. I think it makes them interesting!
Where to get safetycards?
The typical collector is always interested in growing the collection. Is it an addiction? Maybe. Over time, you will try out and develop new sources for your most wanted safety cards. Some of them you might share, some you will keep to yourself, not to ruin them. Imagine a source getting overrun by safety card scavengers, disrupting the business and ruining it forever, for everyone.
Keeping this in mind, sometimes you just can’t share the fantastic story of getting a specific card. There are plenty of cards in my collection with fantastic stories and memories attached to them. Some of the most desired cards were actually pretty easy to get….and often I was just very lucky to do the right thing at the right time.
Flying
Likely the easiest to get a card. On your next trip, simply walk up to the flight attendant and ask if you could have a card (or two) for your collection.
However, there are more opportunities!
I’ve had luck walking up to other gates and asking the agent for a card. Doesn’t always work, and your timing needs to be right. If they’re too busy, it won’t work. Also, the flight crew needs to be on board, and the airplane has to be accessible.
Once, I had incredible luck at the check-in counter. They sent someone to the back, beyond security, to get my two new cards. This was actually suggested to me by customer service, and I couldn’t believe it when it worked.
And never skip the trash can on the jetbridge! During a trip in Alaska, I spotted five brand new cards in the trash can, right before boarding the plane. Of course, I took them with me.
Family, Friends, Colleagues
I so much appreciate every card I get from family, friends, and colleagues. It is so nice of them to think of you and bring back a card from their trip. I always try to reward them with a nice little surprise – typically German chocolate. Frankly, I can’t thank them enough!
Trading
This is the most common way of growing a collection: exchanging safety cards with other collectors. You will eventually have the same card twice or more. Pick one for your collection and trade the other safety cards to fill gaps or create new ones. I have a couple of trade buddies I frequently trade safetycards with. I send them my trade list (a link to this website) and they send me theirs. Trading can be 1:1 for common cards, but sometimes some negotiations are needed if a card is rare.
It’s definitely worth paying attention to the location of your trade partner. Postage to (and from) Great Britain or Australia can be expensive. Mail to some parts of the world can take forever or get lost. Do you want to include tracking or save the money and risk it?
On the other hand, trading with people in far away countries can get you access to exotic, highly desired safetycards. A United Airlines B737 (the orange one) is super common in the United States, but most probably very rare in Asia. Your Lufthansa collection might look complete, but do you also have cards from local, domestic routes?
Airline Memorabilia Shows
My absolute favorite! Try finding an airline memorabilia show where you are and you will have one of the best experiences adding cards to your collection. At the same time, you will meet familiar and new faces to expand your network of trade partners.
Here’s a good overview of upcoming events: https://wahsonline.com/collectible-shows/
Online
There are numerous safetycard groups on social media, especially Facebook. Make sure to figure out if it is a trade-only or sale-only group so you don’t get in trouble. As you familiarize yourself with the community and you start making friends, there’s not much in the way of growing your collection.
Be careful, however! Occasionally, new faces with exciting cards show up and sometimes they don’t keep their promises. If something looks too good to be true…..you know.
Ebay
There are plenty of cards on eBay to bid on and buy. You’re not paying what the card is worth; you’re paying what you or someone else thinks is the highest price. You can, however, be lucky! Sometimes you can make an absolute bargain. A safetycard might sell for $100 today and for less than $20 tomorrow.