Passengers might imagine flight attendants are merely sitting nonetheless throughout takeoff and touchdown, however the seemingly uncommon posture is a educated security measure
Flight attendant (Picture: Getty)
For a lot of air passengers, the moments earlier than takeoff and after landing are spent distracted — scrolling on telephones, watching the cabin crew demonstration with half a watch, or just ready for the flight to settle into cruise. However for cabin crew, these moments characterize essentially the most safety-critical phases of any journey, requiring intense focus, strict procedures and a rigorously educated bodily posture that many travellers discover however hardly ever perceive.
Throughout these phases, flight attendants are actively monitoring the cabin to make sure every part is safe. Passengers have to be seated, seatbelts mounted, tray tables stowed and seats upright, permitting the crew to pay attention absolutely on security. In keeping with aviation professionals, this heightened state of readiness is crucial as a result of the vast majority of incidents happen throughout takeoff and touchdown.
Chatting with Journey + Leisure, Katherine Drossos, a educated flight attendant and in-flight supervisor at Cirrus Aviation Providers, defined the importance of this era. “Through the essential phases of flight, particularly takeoff and touchdown, cabin hosts make sure the cabin is absolutely safe and passengers are seated, briefed, and ready. This permits full give attention to security throughout essentially the most delicate parts of the flight,” she says.
One side of that preparation is the protection briefing, which covers seatbelt use, oxygen masks and life vests. Nonetheless, as soon as the demonstration is full and the plane begins its ascent or descent, passengers might discover one thing else: flight attendants sitting upright of their bounce seats with their arms positioned firmly on their thighs or tucked beneath their legs.
Whereas it’s usually assumed they’re merely “sitting on their arms”, Drossos says the posture is intentional. “What passengers usually interpret as cabin hosts ‘sitting on their arms’ is definitely a deliberate brace-ready place. Cabin hosts sit upright within the bounce seat with ft flat on the ground and arms secured on their thighs or beneath the legs,” she explains.
“This posture stabilizes the physique, minimizes the danger of harm throughout sudden motion or turbulence, and ensures arms are instantly out there to reply if an evacuation or security motion is required.”
Though precise hand placement can fluctuate relying on airline coverage or plane kind, the aim stays constant. Drossos notes that the place is designed to keep up “stability, alertness, and instant readiness throughout essentially the most essential phases of flight”.
The bodily posture is just one a part of the method. Whereas seated, cabin crew additionally perform a silent psychological overview of emergency procedures. “Whereas seated, cabin hosts additionally conduct a silent security overview, mentally strolling by emergency procedures, figuring out exits, and confirming evacuation instructions and tasks,” Drossos explains. This ensures they’re absolutely ready to behave immediately if one thing goes flawed.
You may additionally discover the cabin crew taking a sure place whereas seated. (Picture: Getty)
The follow gained widespread consideration after a flight attendant often called @_hennylim went viral on TikTok for explaining the process. In her video, she confirmed two crew members boarding the plane, settling into their bounce seats, fastening their seatbelts and putting their arms beneath their legs.
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She described the place because the “bracing place”, explaining that it entails sitting upright with palms dealing with up, thumbs tucked, arms relaxed and ft flat on the ground. The intention, she mentioned, is to limit motion and scale back harm within the occasion of an unplanned influence.
Passengers usually are not required to undertake the identical brace place, however consultants advise remaining attentive throughout security briefings, studying the protection card, conserving seatbelts mounted and making certain seats are upright throughout takeoff and touchdown. Whereas it might look easy, the way in which flight attendants sit displays in depth coaching and fixed vigilance — a quiet however very important a part of conserving everybody on board secure.
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