Although flying remains the safest form of transportation, many passengers still feel uncomfortable in the air. Flight attendants ensure air safety in an airplane and are always on the lookout for any passenger details. Kat Kamalani tells us what they take into account and what is important to them from the moment the passenger enters the cabin and gets ready in their seat for their flight. She also tells us how important it is to take into account the emergency exit and what details are involved in this part of the aircraft. Do not hesitate to read on if you want to know all the information about the task performed by flight attendants.
Passenger insecurity is still real
Many former flight attendants and veteran flight attendants have shared trade secrets with their followers, giving us a closer look at the parts of the job we don’t usually see as passengers. Although flying remains the safest form of transportation, many passengers still feel uncomfortable in the air. Whether it’s the turbulence or the fact that you’re not comfortable with who you’re next to on the trip. Hopefully, this insider knowledge will put your mind at ease, as it shows that there’s a lot more going on between the crew welcome, safety demonstration and takeoff. Next, we delve into what details flight attendants pay attention to in order to ensure the safety of the flight and the traveler themselves.
A gesture that goes beyond a greeting: know the real reasons why
When boarding an airplane-regardless of its size-there is always a flight attendant ready to greet you. While this may seem like a simple gesture to make passengers feel welcome, there are also more practical reasons behind it. Flight attendants are known to be very friendly, but it must be stressed that the reason for this protocol approach is a work-related matter that they are obliged to take into account.
Whether we know it or not, flight attendants are constantly observing passengers. Kat Kamalani, a former industry employee, explained that they scan the cabin to identify people who might be able to help in an emergency or assist with problematic behavior. These people are in top physical condition in the first instance, and pregnant women, the elderly and children are always left in second place, as their role would not be as effective.
Looking for signs of nervousness or drunkenness
They look for signs of nervousness or drunkenness-perhaps for a few pre-flight drinks at the airport bar. They are also on the lookout for anyone who looks too sick to fly.
Equally important, they identify passengers who could help in an emergency. As they walk the aisles before takeoff, they assess who is on board and who might need additional assistance, such as families with small children or people with limited mobility.
The emergency exit is important during the flight
If you’ve ever sat in an emergency exit row, you’ll know that not just anyone can occupy that seat, despite the extra legroom. For example, children are generally not allowed to sit there because they may not be strong enough to open the emergency exit door. Most airlines require verbal confirmation from passengers in these rows that they are willing and able to help in the unlikely event of an emergency.
Every detail is taken into account
Amy Caris, another veteran flight attendant, told Reader’s Digest that she was trained to pay attention to passengers’ footwear. “I always look at what kind of shoes a customer is wearing to determine if they can run quickly and easily in them,” she explained. If someone is wearing high heels, Caris makes a mental note of it to remind them to take them off in case of an emergency. These seemingly small details can make a big difference when every second counts.