January 21, 2026 | 09:08 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - For frequent travelers on airplanes, the minutes leading up to takeoff and immediately after landing pass by in a flash. For cabin crew, such as flight attendants, this is the riskiest part of the flight. They remain alert and sit upright in their folding chairs in the same position.
Flight attendant Katherine Drossos explained that during critical phases of the flight, especially during takeoff and landing, cabin crew ensure that all parts of the cabin are secure and that passengers are seated with their seatbelts fastened, tables folded, and seats in the upright position. "This allows full focus on safety during the most sensitive portions of the flight," she said, as reported by Travel + Leisure.
Flight attendant standby position
According to Drossos, the cabin crew's sitting position, called the "brace-ready position," is not a handstand position. Rather, it is a deliberately implemented clamp-on position. "Cabin hosts sit upright in the jump seat with feet flat on the floor and hands secured on their thighs or beneath the legs," explained the flight supervisor at Cirrus Aviation Services.
This sitting position also aims to maintain body stability, reduce the risk of injury from shaking or turbulence, and ensure hands are immediately available if safety measures or evacuation are needed. However, hand position may vary depending on airline procedures or aircraft type.
Silent safety review
In addition to this physical posture, while seated, cabin crew also conduct a silent review, a silent simulation of emergency procedures. "While seated, cabin hosts also conduct a silent safety review, mentally walking through emergency procedures, identifying exits, and confirming evacuation commands and responsibilities," said Drossos. This step ensures the crew is fully prepared for unexpected situations.
Cecilia Anderson, a flight attendant for a major US airline, shared a similar sentiment. In this position, for 30 seconds, flight attendants repeat emergency evacuation procedures. "We scan for our nearest exit doors, whatever door we are mainly responsible for and go over our evacuation commands—what we would yell if we had an emergency to alert passengers," she said, as quoted by Reader's Digest.
If flight attendants are standing when turbulence occurs, they are advised to stand with their feet wide apart and hold onto the nearest seat or part of the plane to stabilize themselves. Ideally, the captain will announce impending turbulence so flight attendants can return to their seats and fasten their seatbelts.
Passenger Safety Position
For passengers, on a normal flight, the safest position is to remain seated with their seatbelts securely fastened. "If there’s turbulence, place both feet on the floor and hold on to your seat or armrests to steady yourself," said Erin Thomas, a flight attendant for a major US airline.
However, in the event of a true emergency, passengers will be instructed to assume the standby position. This includes bending forward, placing their head on or between their knees, covering their head with both hands, and keeping both feet flat on the floor for balance.
Putri Az Zahra contributed for this article.
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