Take the parachute

Not that it would have *really* mattered since it is revealed that they are in some sort of nightmare cloud with no place in the physical realm but....

If you're one of the characters you don't know that so... Why not put on a parachute rig if you plan on leaving the plane and operating on it? A parachute rig is anywhere from 20 to 30 pounds and wouldn't really "slow you down" like the guy said.. and it could save your life. I think he earns the right to use the parachute if he's risking his life to save everyone else. Oh well though... it's not like you could predict there would be a sky Kraken amongst the thundercloud.