Many people may have noticed that when boarding a flight, flight attendants stand smiling at the cabin entrance, welcoming and guiding passengers to their seats. However, their responsibilities go beyond just this. When passengers board, they actually have many things to handle.
According to the aviation news website “Simple Flying,” boarding is an important moment for flight attendants to assist passengers. Aside from greeting, checking boarding passes, helping passengers with their luggage and seating, they also pay attention to passengers’ health conditions and behavior based on safety considerations, as well as whether passengers traveling with infants or elderly individuals require special assistance.
If a passenger appears intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, flight attendants will first monitor them. Intoxicated passengers may try to open cabin doors or smoke in the lavatory, and they may also verbally abuse flight attendants or other passengers, causing property damage.
If they believe that you may pose a threat to safety in any way, they will escort you off the plane. In emergency situations, passengers who appear uncooperative and potentially problematic are very dangerous.
Flight attendants also assess passengers’ appearances during boarding and look for Able-Bodied Passengers (ABP), especially individuals such as police officers or firefighters who can provide assistance in case of an emergency.
These ABPs are informed of the tasks they should assist with in case of an emergency, such as opening emergency exit doors and guiding other passengers down evacuation slides.
Sometimes, if there are empty seats in first class or business class, flight attendants may offer complimentary upgrades to passengers. They typically select well-dressed passengers from the economy class who appear to be on business trips and invite them to sit in first or business class.
During boarding, trained flight attendants also observe passengers for any unusual behavior. For instance, drug dealers and human traffickers exhibit certain behavioral signs, so flight attendants are vigilant. They also look for any passengers who may potentially cause disturbances.
Potential illnesses are also issues flight attendants must monitor. If a passenger appears severely ill, it is not advisable for them to board the plane, risking a medical emergency. Additionally, pregnant women in late stages of pregnancy must present medical certificates to prove their fitness for flying.
Some passengers may feel anxious when boarding a plane, and such passengers are often easily identifiable. Flight attendants will engage in conversation with them when necessary, explain things to them, and comfort them as much as possible. Anxious passengers are encouraged to inform flight attendants in advance, who will do their best to improve their flying experience.
Although airlines have strict regulations regarding who can sit near the emergency exit, mistakes can sometimes occur during check-in. Therefore, flight attendants must ensure that the correct passengers are seated near the emergency exit. Some airlines require passengers in these seats to assist in opening the emergency exit in case of an emergency. If they are unwilling to cooperate, flight attendants will request them to move to other seating areas.
Apart from identifying specific passengers, flight attendants also search for pilots or fellow flight attendant colleagues traveling incognito in the cabin. This is because they know these colleagues have received the same training and can provide assistance in case of an emergency. Flight attendants can check for colleagues from the passenger list, but they often recognize them from the crew luggage they use.
Of course, flight attendants also need to check for any non-compliant luggage. Some passengers’ luggage may not fit in the overhead bins or be brought into the cabin. Non-compliant luggage will be labeled, unloaded, and transferred to the cargo hold. Some passengers may try to sneak pets in their luggage, so flight attendants must also be vigilant about this.