Explanatory video shows: That’s why flight attendants sit on their hands during takeoff

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When they sit down, it is clear: it is about to start, the plane is taking off. Shortly before takeoff, the flight attendants sat down on a fold-down seat, but like the passengers, they were not relaxed there. On the contrary: they take a certain position. Back straight, feet flat on the floor and hands under your thighs. This is the so-called bracing position. “This limits the body’s freedom of movement, which reduces the risk of injury in the event of a collision,” explains Henny Lim (29), a flight attendant at the Philippine airline Cebu Pacific, in a Tiktok video.

But the flight attendants not only prepare physically for a possible emergency, but also mentally. Lim calls it a “silent test.” They become newly aware of where to find emergency equipment, how the doors work, what to do in response to any orders and whether there are signs of an emergency inside or outside the aircraft.

It applies not only to the crew, but to all passengers

The brace position is not only available from Cebu Pacific airline, but is also recommended by Swiss airlines. “The same or similar requirements generally apply at Edelweiss,” Andreas Marti, media spokesperson for Edelweiss, told Blick. The only difference is that Edelweiss employees place their hands on their legs or cross them in front of their chest. However, the sitting position is only mandatory in case of emergency, but according to Marti it is “used for your own safety”.

The same goes for Swiss. “The brace position is only used in the event of a planned or unplanned emergency landing or in a spontaneous emergency during take-off or landing,” said Swiss spokeswoman Silvia Exer-Kuhn. Not only the crew, but also all passengers would have to take the position. However, all cabin crew need during maneuvers is a “stable sitting position”, i.e. legs bent and feet on the ground.

Swiss also offers mental preparation. It’s called One Minute Silent Review. Exer-Kuhn told Blick: “Before every take-off and landing, the cabin crew mentally prepares themselves for possible emergency scenarios and goes through the procedures and instructions in their minds.” The airline also applies the ‘four eyes principle’ to certain activities. The most important precautions are always monitored by two crew members.

Source: Blick