If you\u2019ve ever flown on a commercial airplane, you may have noticed something curious \u2013 flight attendants sitting on their hands during takeoff and landing. It might seem like an unusual habit, but it\u2019s actually a safety strategy designed to protect both crew members and passengers.<\/p>\n
In air travel, flight attendants do much more than serve refreshments and ensure passenger comfort. They are highly trained safety professionals, responsible for managing in-flight emergencies and ensuring the well-being of everyone onboard.<\/p>\n
Among the many protocols they follow, one stands out to many passengers \u2013 the bracing position that flight attendants assume during takeoff and landing.<\/p>\n
A flight attendant, Henny Lim, who works for the Philippines-based airline Cebu Pacific, recently went viral on TikTok after shedding light on this lesser-known in-flight procedure.<\/p>\n
In her video, she asks: \u201cEver wonder why cabin crew sits like this during takeoff and landing?\u201d The video starts, showing the flight attendant taking the \u201cbracing position\u201d in her jump seat.<\/p>\n
During critical phases of flight \u2013 takeoff and landing \u2013 the risk of an incident is statistically higher and if an evacuation is necessary, the bracing position allows cabin crew members to quickly act.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis position involves fastening seatbelts securely, sitting upright, sitting on hands \u2013 arms up, thumbs tucked \u2013 and arms loose, and feet flat on the floor,\u201d the voiceover continues in the clip that recently resurfaced after it was first posted in 2022.<\/p>\n
Tucked hands<\/strong> \u201cThe aim is to keep the body in a rigid pose so that if there was any impact from an unplanned emergency, the body is damaged less\u2026This keeps body movement restricted so that there is less chance of injury if there was an impact.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDuring this time, [your flight attendants] will also be going through the \u2018silent review,\u2019 which prepares them for an emergency situation every take-off and landing.\u201d<\/p>\n Before the clip adds, viewers are told, \u201c\u2026Safe flight everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018Not regulation\u2019<\/strong>
\nIn the clip, Henny and another cabin crew member demonstrate how they strap into their jump seats, tucking their hands under their thighs, ensuring that their arms and hands remain steady and secure. This prevents involuntary movements caused by turbulence, hard landings, or sudden impacts that could delay their response time.<\/p>\n
\nSpeaking with Reader\u2019s Digest, a veteran flight attendant explained that sitting on hands is actually a matter of personal preference, not regulation.<\/p>\n