INFLT ENCOUNTER -- SEVERE TURB PAX INJURIES.

Narrative

ENRTE FROM ATL TO SFO; CLRED TO DEVIATE N OF RZC; DIRECT GCK WHEN ABLE. DEVIATED APPROX 30-40 NM N OF WELL DEVELOPED CELL AT RZC. SANITIZED AREA WITH WX RADAR FOR OTHER POSSIBLE CONVECTIVE PHENOMENON. ENCOUNTERED SEVERE TURB (5-8 SECONDS) APPROX RZC 330 DEG RADIAL 40 DME; MARGINAL VFR CONDITIONS (HAD JUST ENTERED SKUDDY AREA) AND HAIL. FOLLOWED FLT PATH OTHER ACFT HAD FOLLOWED BEFORE AND AFTER WITH ONLY LIGHT CHOP RPTED. SEAT BELT SIGN ON -- ONLY 3 PAX WITHOUT SEAT BELT WERE SLIGHTLY INJURED. NO LOSS OF CTL OR ACFT DAMAGE -- YET ANYTHING THAT WAS NOT STRAPPED OR BOLTED DOWN HIT THE CEILING. THIS PASSAGE WAS COMPLETELY ROUTINE AND CONSERVATIVELY EXECUTED. WE DID EVERYTHING THAT OVER 50 YRS OF COMBINED EXPERIENCE TOLD US WAS NECESSARY TO INSURE SAFE PASSAGE AND YET STILL ENCOUNTERED SEVERE TURB. PERHAPS AN FAA MANDATED PROGRAM OF PAX AWARENESS (THROUGH BOARDING PA'S) THAT EMPHASIZES THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF TURB AND THE WISDOM OF KEEPING YOUR SEAT BELT LIGHTLY FASTENED AT ALL TIMES YOU ARE SEATED; COULD BE IN ORDER.