In an unusual quest that has garnered both fascination and support, Molly Bina, a 32-year-old pet groomer from Chicagoland, has amassed a collection of 55 emergency evacuation pamphlets from various airlines over the past three years. The impetus for this intriguing hobby came from a social media post made by Bina in September 2020, where she reached out to her followers for assistance in obtaining the often-overlooked items.
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Bina, who admits to having a strong aversion to travel, particularly flying, has turned her childhood fascination with airline safety pamphlets into an enthusiastic collection that has taken over her bathroom. “I was obsessed with airline evacuation safety pamphlets when I was a kid,” she stated in her Instagram post. The collection grew from her initial thrill of obtaining a single pamphlet, which she proudly displays at home, leading her to request help from friends, family, and acquaintances who travel regularly.
“It’s a community-driven project,” Bina explained, acknowledging the contributions from her network, including individuals she has not seen in years. Many of her suppliers are friends of friends who travel abroad, who frequently send her multiple pamphlets from their journeys. Bina has received as many as 16 pamphlets from a single source over the course of a year, expanding her collection and the network of enthusiasts supporting her mission.
Despite her deepening collection, Bina is candid about her lack of enthusiasm for flying: “I hate traveling. I hate flying. It’s a pain,” she said bluntly. However, this sentiment does not dampen her interest in the colourful designs and varied styles of the pamphlets themselves. This quirky hobby has also led her to make connections with flight attendants and pilots who discreetly support her, even if they don’t technically condone the unofficial ‘acquisitions’ of the pamphlets.
In addition to the evacuation pamphlets, Bina’s bathroom is adorned with an array of aviation-related memorabilia. Among her treasures are an authentic oxygen mask sourced from an aircraft parts website, various pilot pins, and several model airplanes suspended from the ceiling. She also keeps a special family memento: her grandfather’s Air Force pin, which serves as a heartwarming reminder amidst her otherwise strictly commercial airline-themed décor.
Bina’s unique bathroom has not only won her local admiration but has also gained significant attention online. Her TikTok and Instagram posts, which showcase her growing collection, have sparked positive reactions from viewers and introduced her to others with similarly themed spaces. “I’ve even come across a bathroom dedicated to Steve Buscemi! It’s great to connect with other enthusiasts,” she remarked.
As her collection grows, Bina faces the challenge of displaying her new acquisitions cohesively. Her most recent additions have included life jackets, a Delta pillow, and an antique plane ticket from 1952. “My husband and I have been looking for ways to showcase everything,” she shared. Living in a townhouse presents space constraints, and they’ve joked about hanging some items from the ceiling in an effort to make room.
Despite not enjoying flying, the joy that Bina derives from her collection and the connections it has forged is evident. A simple, almost whimsical request on social media has blossomed into a remarkable journey of community engagement, nostalgia, and creativity. As her enthusiasm continues to attract attention, Bina is not only securing a unique collection but also enriching her life with shared passions and connections in the world of aviation.