Why do cabin crew hide their hands when you board a plane? As passengers board the plane, members of the cabin crew team are required to count each person using a clicker. In order to be discreet while they smile and welcome you onboard, the nifty little device is held behind their back.
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.
Bracing in a planned emergency
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.
Mostly to make sure that they are closed properly. If there is turbulence, a bin that isn't closed properly can pop open and stuff can fall down on a passenger.
How fit you are. Because their first concern is safety, what flight attendants notice about you has much to do with your ability to keep yourself and others safe. They'll make a mental note of passengers who are in good shape and who can help lift heavy items and lend a hand if necessary.
Presently, for all other airlines, cabin crews usually get paid for their time once the aircraft door closes. They are not paid for the 30 to 50 minutes when passengers are boarding, despite this being a busy and sometimes stressful time.
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.
“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.
Flight attendants on long-haul flights are provided with spaces to rest. Here's a photo of the crew rest area on a Boeing 787. Crew rest areas exist on all airplanes, but what these rest areas look like depends on the airline, aircraft and the length of the flight.
"We have something on-board called 'smoke hoods'," Kaylee explained in the video. "So, in case there is a fire on-board that we need to fight, we have something that we can put on over [our heads] so we can still be breathing oxygen and not be breathing in the smoke as we're fighting the fire."
At 21 years old, you can apply to be a flight attendant with any airline. Minimum age requirements typically apply at the time of training completion, so candidates who will reach an airline's minimum age during training can apply for flight attendant roles. There is no upper age limit for flight attendants.
Our pilots and flight attendants have worn wings for more than eight decades. First given as a symbol of aviation training and qualification by the U.S. military in 1913, our wings are an iconic symbol of aviation, ability and adventure.
The chances of a pilot marrying a flight attendant from their own airline are 1 in 7, according to research published in Air Line Pilot Magazine. This statistic is a telling indication of the unique bond that pilots and flight attendants share.
For pilots and flight attendants working the first leg of the day, communication begins as much as 30 minutes or more prior to boarding. Pilots, often the captain, will discuss the flight length and weather expected along the way with the cabin crew and will generally set the tone.
For long-haul flights, cabin crew members often stay in hotels during their layovers. These hotels are typically located near the airport and are paid for by the airline. The hotels that cabin crew members stay in can vary depending on the airline and the location.
Flight attendants only get paid when the door closes
Essentially flight attendants are only paid their full hourly rate once the aircraft door closes, even though they work hard during boarding (and arguably boarding is the most stressful phase of the flight).
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.
New flight attendants typically work a reserve schedule and must be close to the airport, or sometimes wait at the airport for a call to duty. Senior flight attendants enjoy more flexibility in their schedule and choice of destinations. Both roles enjoy the same travel benefits with about 12 days off per month.
Spirit now ranks at the top again — for the rudest flight attendants. A survey of 3,400 people by the travel website Airfarewatchdog found that 26% said Spirit has the rudest flight attendants. Air Canada came in second with 14%, followed by Frontier Airlines with 11% and Virgin America with 9%.
While some airlines are more rigid once you have actually been employed, Singapore Airlines has some of the most strict processes to get a job with them. They have been known to have over five different rounds of interviews even to get close to the intense training they require for flight attendants.
Example: “I believe the most challenging aspect of being a flight attendant is dealing with unruly or uncooperative passengers. Not only do these types of fliers make the flight less enjoyable for the other passengers, but they can also present a safety risk.
The answer is yes. Everyone deserves to be given a chance when it comes it their dreams, don't we? Being an introverted flight attendant is possible as long as you're ready to talk to people whether you feel like it or not, and if you're willing to work for hours while enduring the sudden crave for a quiet alone time.