Flight attendants are seen multiple times walking on the aisle. Other than serving foods and drinks, there’s one important task they must complete during the flight.
Being a flight attendant has lots of perks, such as travelling around the world. Still, it’s a tough job with a lot of responsibilities, especially for the passenger’s safety.
That said, there’s one important task all flight attendants must regularly complete throughout the flight. Have you ever wondered why flight attendants walk the aisle on certain occasions and even multiple times – even when most of the cabin is asleep? They’re not just stretching their legs, they are actually completing vital safety checks.
From serving drinks and meals, answering questions, offering duty-free, and going through pre-flight checks, cabin crew members are also tasked with being incredibly alert. This means no snoozing on the job, unless it’s a long-haul flight where attendants are designated periods of rest.
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Whether it’s a short or long flight, safety is the number one priority when flying. As explained on Go Opti’s website, the crew completes a mandatory check every 30 minutes to see if passengers need any assistance or anything that should be reported.
This check also applies at night, when all the lights are off and passengers are asleep. The website says: “Even if the passengers are sleeping, the cabin crew must keep checking that all is well. They will look for anything unusual and scan the passengers and the cabin. The flight crew must be checked upon every 30 minutes to make sure that they are ok and to see if they need anything.”
And their safety first policy doesn’t just come into play mid-flight, they are expected to see every passenger as they get on-board. During boarding, the cabin crew is responsible for identifying passengers who might be able to assist in the event of an emergency, along with anyone who may be unfit to fly. When seeing passengers get off, the crew has to ensure no one – or their belongings – are left behind.
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Flight attendant training
On average, flight attendant safety training can last four and six weeks, including real-life scenarios and practical exercises. Walking on the aisle is just one of them.
The exact frequency varies depending on the flight duration. Nonetheless, whether it’s a one-hour or a 16-hour journey, flight attendants will always be alert to keep everyone onboard safe.
Next time, don’t be surprised when you see the cabin crew walking on the aisle. Whether they’re serving food and drinks or swapping areas with their colleagues, they’re also checking out for your safety and at your disposal whenever you need their assistance.