"Arm doors" means setting the doors to automatic mode so that emergency evacuation slides will deploy when the door is opened. iStock. As your aircraft moves away from the gate you'll hear this direction from the flight deck to the flight attendants, or be very worried if you don't.
The cabin crew arms the emergency exit upon getting instructions from the flight crew. Arming the doors and disarming them is vital, as you wouldn't want a negligent deployment.
And one of the responsibilities includes them to have their hands behind their back. But why is this? Simply put – it is because they are hiding a special counter. Cabin crew uses the counters to make sure the number of passengers getting on to the plane corresponds to the number of tickets scanned.
10 "Doors to automatic and cross-check"
"Doors to manual and cross-check" is said by the senior crew member when the aircraft stops at the stand after a flight and the doors are set by the cabin crew to disarm the slide. The cross-check is when each crew member checks that the other's door is in the correct position.
If there is no response from the cockpit for a request to open the door, the flight crew can enter an override code on the keypad, which also sets off a 30-second alert in the cockpit, according to the training video.
Because of the importance of crew rest, many widebody aircraft have a secret room reserved for crew members so they can sleep between shifts.
“From a safety standpoint, open shades help improve situational awareness,” says a rep from the Flight Safety Foundation. “For example, during an emergency evacuation, flight attendants or passengers need to be able to see outside to determine whether it's safe to open and use an emergency exit.
Do you know why so many flight attendant uniforms include a neck scarf? It's a matter of tradition that stemmed from the early aviators wearing silk ? when they flew in open cockpits. Early pilots liked them because they prevented chafing around the neck.
As the Independent explained, the two-finger gesture is likely still used today because a single pointed finger can be interpreted as rude to several cultures, including in the United States.
What do pilots say right before takeoff? These can vary, but in general, the announcements are relatively standard across different airlines. Most pilots will typically introduce themselves and the cabin crew; state the aircraft type, flight number, and route, and remind passengers of the airline's seatbelt policy.
The cross-check part is where the cabin crew physically check that the opposite door has also been armed. You tend to hear cross check on larger aircraft and double check on the narrow aircraft.
If the system was armed in Stay mode with No Entry Delay, the alarm will sound as soon as the door is opened. Was this article helpful?
Cockpit Doors Should Withstand Grenade Blasts
According to the American Federal Aviation Administration, cockpit doors should be tough enough to withstand a grenade blast. The doors are also left locked during flights. Cockpit security systems should enable pilots to access the cockpit.
Wake turbulence poses a major risk to other aircraft, so pilots and ATC use the term “heavy” in radio transmissions as a reminder that the aircraft's wake may be dangerous to others passing behind or below the flightpath of these larger-mass aircraft.
Make shortly after landing, once the engine noise has subsided. “Ladies and gentlemen, [Airline Name] welcomes you to [city]. The local time is [time]. For your safety and the safety of those around you, please remain seated with your seat belt fastened and keep the aisle(s) clear until we are parked at the gate.
This allows for the cabin crew to still be able to hear and shout emergency commands whilst protecting the face and head from any flying debris.
The use of high heels in flight attendant uniforms dates back to the early days of air travel, and was originally a holdover from the dress codes of registered nurses who were the first air stewards. It was believed that high heels would make female flight attendants look smart and presentable.
Heather Poole is a former flight attendant and the New York Times bestselling author of Cruising Attitude. She revealed that the reason cabin crew members wear bright lipstick on flights is, “so passengers can read your lips during an emergency.”
Newer brace positions are being adopted by many U.S. airlines in which the flight attendants do not sit on their hands. Instead, they place their hands flat on top of their thighs. This new position is being adopted because in the event of a crash, sitting on hands can cause injury and/or crushing.
The flight crew wanted to keep the plane dark.
Airlines will often ask passengers to close window shades during night flights as a favor to those who wish to sleep. Even during the daytime, many fliers enjoy a darkened cabin so they can better see the screens on their laptops, tablets or in-seat monitors.
While there are many pilot and flight attendant couples, and many flight attendants married or committed to other flight attendants, and many pilots with the same connections with other pilots, several factors have made those connections less likely.
Are Air Marshals on Every Flight? Unfortunately, it's only possible to have an air marshal on some commercial flights. Air marshals are deployed on select international and domestic flights that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has determined to pose a greater risk of terrorist activity.
Cameras can be placed outside the cockpit so pilots are aware of what's going on outside their cockpit door. Flight attendants can use cameras to view a cabin that might otherwise be obstructed from their seats.