EXACTLY!

Could someone "in the know" please explain to me WHY, after so many years of advances in commercial aviation, they have never developed anything that stands a chance of saving lives in the event of a crash? Seatbelts and cushions that can be used as flotation devices don't count.

I've often wondered why passengers aren't issued parachutes as standard practice. I mean, the mind can certainly conjure up some scary images of a parachuting passenger failing to clear the engine, but isn't it worth the risk if you're gonna die anyway?

Speaking as someone who is afraid to fly for the simple fact that the FAA treats passengers like easily-dispensable cattle, I worry about some of my family who are forced to fly frequently for work. I'm constantly thinking up ways to improve safety, but I fear it's a pointless exercise.