Flight attendant reveals reason passengers are asked to put tray tables away (2024)

FAQs

Flight attendant reveals reason passengers are asked to put tray tables away? ›

"The plane can experience sudden movements like turbulence or even an aborted takeoff. If the tray tables are left open and down, things on them could go flying and become dangerous.

"When you're asked to put your tray table up by a flight attendant, leave it up," she told BI. "It's a safety regulation, and tray tables can be extremely dangerous and injure you if you're jolted into them."

The cabin crew will first monitor passengers if they seem drunk or drugged in any way. If they think you may become a threat to safety in any way, a passenger can be offloaded. A drunk passenger could try mishandling a cabin door or trying to smoke in a lavatory.

"The aim is to keep the body in a rigid pose so that if there was any impact in an unplanned emergency, the body is damaged less," Lim explained. "This keeps body movement restricted so that there is less chance of injury if there was an impact."

But what's more, tray tables need to be stowed for unobstructed passenger movement. "In the unlikely event of an emergency, you need to be able to get out of your seat quickly and make your way to the exit without being impeded by a tray table," says Montreal-based flight attendant Steve Daniel.

Is it safe to stow your tray table before takeoff and landing? Yes, that is why they ask you to do so, so that if there is an accident you don't get a couple of broken ribs when you bounce off of it.

Because their first concern is safety, what flight attendants notice about you has much to do with your ability to keep yourself and others safe. They'll make a mental note of passengers who are in good shape and who can help lift heavy items and lend a hand if necessary.

If unresolved and painful, surgery may be required. As before, grounding is up to you—unless surgery is required, then you cannot fly until fully recovered. Conjunctivitis or pink eye is caused by infection with bacteria or viruses, allergies, or chemical irritation.

Historically, unions representing American Airlines and other airline flight attendants have not pushed for boarding pay. They have preferred higher wages for time spent on trips to lower hourly rates that cover more of their working time. This has to do with seniority and scheduling.

How do flight attendants deal with bad passengers? ›

The first step in intervention would be for a member of the Cabin Crew to attempt speaking with the passenger. Often, this contact is all that is required to defuse the behavior and to gain the passenger's cooperation. If it does not, then the situation should be handled as appropriate to the level of unruly behavior.

Remain Calm: In a calm, metered tone ask nicely to speak with a supervisor, manager or a higher up. Nine times out of ten that will bring swift results and end the abuse. Whatever you do, don't make a scene at the airport.

"Raising your window shade during takeoff and landing makes it easier for the flight attendants to assess any exterior hazards, like fire or debris, that might interfere with an emergency evacuation," pilot Patrick Smith of AskThePilot.com tells Travel + Leisure.

This is because in case of an emergency, we may need to write down passenger info for medical personnel, or information from the flight deck. This is also why when passengers ask us to borrow a pen, we often say no.

In addition, for business considerations, several airlines require girls to wear miniskirts since they are more appealing and draw the attention of businessmen. Flight attendants must work long hours, and skirts provide ventilation.

If the tray tables are left open and down, things on them could go flying and become dangerous. So, to prevent any objects from becoming hazards, it's important to stow and lock the tray tables in their upright position," says David Doughty, CEO of private jet company Admiral Jet.

By now we're all familiar with advice to pack some sort of pashmina type shawl for plane, train, or bus travel but it bears repeating. A large wrap scarf keeps you warm during cold airplane flights and extra layers can help get you through long travel days.

Serving food on trays is faster and more efficient. The commissary prepares the items and the basic tray setup. The individual meal items, such as main course and bread, are placed on the tray by flight crew. Trays allow flight crew to serve rapidly.