In the world of air travel, flight attendants do much more than serve drinks and snacks—they are highly trained safety professionals, responsible for the well-being of all passengers. Among the many safety protocols they follow, one unusual practice often catches the eye: flight attendants sitting on their hands during takeoff and landing. While it may look odd to the average traveler, there is an important reason behind this procedure.
Image Credit: @_hennylim_ TikTok
Let’s explore the purpose of this practice and how it plays a critical role in ensuring safety during flights.
The Bracing Position Explained by a Flight Attendant
If you’ve ever noticed flight attendants buckling up in their jump seats and adopting a particular posture—sitting on their hands as the plane takes off or prepares to land—you might wonder what they’re doing. In a viral TikTok video, Cebu Pacific flight attendant Henny Lim sheds light on this often-overlooked protocol.
According to Lim, the posture flight attendants take, known as the bracing position, involves several key actions:
Fastening seatbelts securely
Sitting upright
Placing hands on their thighs with thumbs tucked in
Keeping arms relaxed
Ensuring their feet are flat on the floor
While this position may seem strange to passengers, it’s designed to serve a crucial purpose, especially in the event of an emergency.
Purpose of the Bracing Position
The main goal of the bracing position is to minimize movement and reduce the risk of injury if a crash or emergency landing occurs. During an impact, bodies can be thrown forward with significant force, leading to dangerous, uncontrolled movements, or flailing, which increases the risk of injury. By sitting on their hands and securing themselves, flight attendants limit their body’s motion and protect their limbs from potential harm.
Additionally, flight attendants use this time to mentally prepare for emergency scenarios. As Lim explains, this involves conducting a “silent review” where they mentally go over safety procedures, emergency exits, equipment, and commands. This mental preparation ensures they can act swiftly and effectively in the event of an emergency, prioritizing passenger safety at all times.
I Discovered My Husband Claims I’m His Child’s Caretaker Whom He Keeps Employed Due to Pity — I Enacted My Retribution Shortly Afterwards
When Megan visited her husband’s office with his favorite lunch to surprise him, she learned a startling secret from his receptionist. Megan found out that her husband had been telling everyone she’s merely his kid’s nanny, allowing him to act freely at work.
Recently, I discovered that my husband has been telling everyone that I am merely his child’s nanny, one he keeps out of pity.
What?
It was an ordinary day, and I decided to surprise my husband with lunch from his favorite fast food place. We had both been working long hours lately and had little time to connect.
This was my first visit to Ben’s new office, and I was excited about surprising him.
“Hi, honey,” he said, answering his phone as I parked the car. “I’m just on a call; I’ll be done soon.”
I didn’t really want to talk to him; I just wanted to make sure he was there.
I got out of the car, grabbed the takeout bag, feeling a thrill. When Ben and I were first married, we often surprised each other at work or met up spontaneously.
It was the spark that kept our marriage alive.
Ben’s office was sleek and modern. I walked in, and a friendly receptionist greeted me with a bright smile.
“Good afternoon!” she said. “You’re Mr. Link’s nanny, right? Is something wrong with the kids? Should I buzz him, or do you want to go straight up?”
I nearly dropped the bag of food.
“Excuse me?” I asked, my heart racing.
The receptionist looked puzzled, as if unsure if she’d misspoken or if I hadn’t heard her right.
“Aren’t you Mr. Link’s nanny?” she repeated, her smile fading.
I took a deep breath, trying to process her words.
“No, I’m not the nanny,” I said. “I’m his wife, Mrs. Megan Link.”
Her eyes widened in shock, and she quickly looked around to ensure no one else was listening.
“Oh my God,” she said. “I am so sorry! I had no idea! Please, come with me.”
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