When we think of flight attendants, we often associate them with providing customer service and making our in-flight experience more comfortable. However, their role goes far beyond serving drinks and offering blankets. Flight attendants are highly trained professionals tasked with ensuring the safety of everyone on board. One surprising behavior that often piques the curiosity of passengers is the way flight attendants sit during takeoff and landing—buckled in and sitting on their hands. While this may seem strange, there’s an important reason behind it.

Let’s explore the true purpose of this seemingly unusual practice and how it contributes to flight safety.

The Bracing Position Explained by a Flight Attendant

If you’ve ever noticed flight attendants sitting upright in their jump seats, fastening their seatbelts, and appearing unusually still, you may have wondered what’s going on. According to Henny Lim, a flight attendant with Cebu Pacific, this position serves a critical safety function. In a now-viral TikTok video, Lim explains that this specific posture—often referred to as the “bracing position”—is part of the cabin crew’s emergency protocol during takeoff and landing, the two most critical phases of any flight.

So, what exactly does this position entail? The bracing position involves several key actions: sitting upright with your back against the seat, fastening the seatbelt tightly, placing hands on your thighs with thumbs tucked under your palms, and keeping the arms and legs relaxed. Additionally, flight attendants ensure their feet are flat on the floor, ready to brace themselves.

Purpose of the Bracing Position

The main objective behind the bracing position is to minimize bodily movement in the event of an emergency landing or sudden impact. By adopting a rigid and well-supported posture, flight attendants are better positioned to avoid injury, particularly from the extreme forces that can occur during a crash landing.

During takeoff and landing, flight attendants also engage in what is called a “silent review.” This mental exercise allows them to quickly run through emergency procedures in their heads, ensuring they are prepared to take immediate action if necessary. As Lim explains, this includes reviewing door operations, recalling commands, and observing the environment outside the aircraft to identify any potential hazards or opportunities for evacuation.

Insights from Regulatory Authorities

The importance of the bracing position is underscored by regulatory authorities such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In a memo issued by the FAA, the bracing position is highlighted for two primary safety benefits: reducing the risk of flailing and minimizing secondary impact injuries.

Flailing, or the uncontrolled movement of limbs during an emergency, can lead to additional injuries, even if the initial impact is not severe. By keeping their hands positioned on their thighs and securing their feet flat on the ground, flight attendants reduce the risk of their arms or legs flailing and causing harm.

The second key benefit is reducing secondary impact. In the event of a sudden impact, positioning the body in such a way that the head is prepositioned against a surface (such as the back of the seat or a wall) helps reduce the severity of injuries that could occur when the body strikes another object or surface. This preparation is essential for minimizing head and neck injuries, which are common in crashes or hard landings.

Flight Attendants’ Perspectives on Safety

Thanks to social media platforms like TikTok, flight attendants have increasingly been sharing their experiences and safety protocols with the public. Through these platforms, they can demystify certain practices that passengers might not fully understand. Henny Lim’s explanation of the bracing position is one such example of flight attendants taking the opportunity to educate the public.

Another flight attendant, Destanie, has gained attention for sharing insights into the job’s challenges, including the antics passengers use to try and score seat upgrades. While entertaining, these anecdotes also emphasize how seriously flight attendants take their responsibilities—especially when it comes to safety.

More Than Just a Routine

The next time you see flight attendants buckling up and sitting on their hands during takeoff or landing, remember that this isn’t just a routine. It’s a carefully trained procedure designed to minimize injury and ensure that the cabin crew is fully prepared to manage any emergency. The bracing position, while seemingly simple, plays a critical role in flight safety, and the insights provided by professionals like Henny Lim give us a deeper appreciation of the meticulous preparation that goes into every flight.

As passengers, the more we understand about these protocols, the more we can approach air travel with a sense of respect for the crew’s professionalism and dedication to keeping us safe. Next time you board a plane, take a moment to observe the bracing position—because behind that stillness is a wealth of training and readiness, all aimed at protecting you.