Stephanie Heath
If you have ever taken a flight, I am sure you have been met with the smiling face of a flight attendant. After all, it is basic protocol to have one to two flight attendants smiling and waving you onto the plane. If you thought this was just a sign of quality customer service, think again. Here are the real reasons that flight attendants greet you as you board the plane.
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The Details: Flight attendants’ jobs are more complicated than most people give them credit for. Contrary to popular belief, their career entails more than just handing out airplane snacks and wearing cute little outfits. One of their primary responsibilities is to ensure the safety of all passengers on board, a task that begins before the plane takes off.
Travel and Leisure Magazine shared the following regarding the real reasons flight attendants greet you as you board.
- “During boarding, flight attendants are actually conducting a quick evaluation of passengers to ensure safety and security. “
What Exactly Are They Looking For?
Turns out that flight attendants are looking for more than just a simple smile in return. Instead, they are assessing you from head to toe, literally. When speaking to the Magazine, flight attendant Venezia Macias had this to say.
- “When we greet passengers at the door, it’s not just about being friendly—we’re also quietly assessing. “
What sort of things would they be assessing while you are boarding? As it turns out, there is quite a lot they are looking for. Here are some of the real reasons flight attendants greet you as you board.
- They are looking for signs of intoxication.
- They are monitoring for any suspicious behavior that may indicate the person could pose a problem during the flight.
- They are noticing if anyone appears as if they would need any additional assistance. Examples of this could include an elderly passenger, mothers with small children, or anyone with a disability.
Think of this as an additional security measure. Although the evaluation happens in seconds, it provides flight attendants with key information. Additionally, it allows them to address any issues prior to takeoff because flight crews have limited options once they are airborne.
But Wait, There’s More
Former flight attendant Rachel Nichols also spoke to Travel and Leisure Magazine. She provided yet another one of the real reasons that flight attendants greet you at the door. Besides ensuring you are not a safety risk, they may also be seeing if you could be helpful in case of an emergency.
- “Flight attendants are scanning passengers, looking for those who are able-bodied and capable of assisting in case of an emergency or threat,” Nichols said.
Not Always Scary: Although safety is of the utmost importance, it is not only safety risks that the flight attendants are assessing as you enter the plane. Watching people enter the plane allows them to anticipate their service strategy. For example, by observing the type of people who board the flight, they can anticipate the needs they will require.
- Macias adds, “We’re also making sure carry-on bags fit policy, and that no one is coming on board already causing issues. And yes, we definitely notice how people choose to dress, too.“
