Why Do Flight Attendants Sit on Their Hands During Takeoff and Landing?
You might have noticed an interesting thing if you’ve ever flown in an airplane. Flight attendants are instructed to sit in their seats upright during takeoff and touchdown with their feet on the floor. Their hands are firmly tucked under their thighs. This may seem like a minor detail, but is a crucial part of flight safety.
This is not a habit or an accident. The brace position is a safety procedure that is taught to every flight attendant. This is an important aspect of emergency preparedness that’s taught during professional aviation training.
What Is the Brace Position?
Brace is a position used in the most critical phases during flight, such as takeoff and touchdown. This position minimizes the chance of injury during an emergency landing, or in unexpected turbulence.
The brace position for cabin crew includes:
- The back of the seat should be against the upright position.
- The feet should be flat on the floor and slightly apart.
- Head against headrest (the part of a seat or chair that supports a person’s head, especially on the front seat of a car)
- Hands under the thighs with palms facing up
- Elbows tightly tucked to their sides
This position prepares the body to deal with any sudden movement or impact. It also allows the crewmember to react quickly.
Why Do Cabin Crew Sit on Their Hands?
Flight attendants put their hands on their thighs for safety reasons during takeoffs and landings. Aviation safety experts support these reasons and they are backed up by emergency response data.
1. Preventing Injuries to Arms and Hands
The body will naturally be thrown forward by momentum in the event of an abrupt stop or impact. When hands are not held tightly, they may be thrown around, strike surfaces or get injured. By tucking your hands under your thighs, you can keep them secure and prevent them from being injured.
2. Keeping the Body Stable
This position gives the body a firm base and tightens it. The flight attendant can increase resistance to movement by sitting on their hands. This will ensure that they stay aligned and braced in the event of a collision or jolt.
3. Faster Response After Impact
Flight attendants are able to help passengers in an emergency more quickly because their legs and arms are already in a balanced position.
4. Reinforcing Alertness
This is also a form of mental readiness. While in this position, flight attendants perform what is known as a silent review — mentally rehearsing emergency duties, evacuation procedures, door operations, and location of safety equipment. This habit ensures they are mentally and physically prepared to act within seconds.
Why Only During Takeoff and Landing?
Statistics show that takeoff and landing are the most dangerous phases of a flight. Boeing and other aviation authorities have reported that more than 75 percent of commercial aviation accidents happen during these two phases. These include runway overruns and hard landings as well as bird strikes and aborted takesoffs.
Due to the increased risk, aviation authorities like the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) mandate that crew be seated in their jump seats, belted in, and fully braced during these times.
Where Do They Learn This?
The brace position and other safety protocols are not things learned casually. They are part of structured cabin crew training programs. These courses teach trainees:
- Emergency evacuation drills
- Use of safety equipment
- First aid and CPR
- Firefighting techniques
- Passenger handling during crises
- Communication with cockpit and passengers
Institutions like the best cabin crew academy in Delhi offer comprehensive training that includes both theory and real-life safety simulations. Similarly, students enrolled in air hostess course in Delhi receive hands-on practice in following standard procedures like the brace position, ensuring they are fully prepared to handle high-pressure situations.
Importance of Training and Habit
When someone is certified as a cabin crew member, it becomes second nature to sit in the brace position. It is expected that you are prepared to the highest level. The airlines and aviation regulators conduct regular checks on crews to ensure they follow the procedures.
Commercial air travel is one of today’s safest modes of transport because of this attention to detail. This reflects how seriously safety protocols are created and adhered to by professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Why do flight attendants sit on their hands while passengers don’t?
Because their job is different. Passengers brace by leaning forward, while flight attendants sit on their hands to keep their arms stable and be ready to jump into action if needed.
Q2: Is this something all flight attendants must do?
Yes, it’s part of their official safety training. It’s not just a habit — it’s a requirement that helps protect them during emergencies.
Q3: Do they follow this practice every single flight?
Yes, without exception. It doesn’t matter how short or long the flight is — if the plane is taking off or landing, they’re in position.
Q4: Are there different positions depending on where they sit?
Definitely. The brace position can change based on the type of seat or aircraft. Flight attendants learn to adapt based on where they are on the plane.
Q5: Why don’t the pilots do this too?
Pilots have different safety systems. Their seats are built with strong restraints and their surroundings are more secure, so they follow a different set of procedures.
Q6: How long do they stay like that?
Usually just during takeoff and landing — the two most critical phases of the flight. Once the plane is safely in the air or on the ground, they resume normal duties.
Q7: Can anyone learn these techniques, or is it just for professionals?
While anyone can read about it, proper training involves hands-on practice and detailed safety drills. It’s something you learn step-by-step, not just from a book or video.
