Why do flight attendants stand at the plane door to greet?

For flight attendants, greeting passengers at the aircraft door is a top standard of service. Photo: Suna Wongsa-nga.

For most passengers, the moment they walk through the door and meet the flight attendants is simply the beginning of the journey. But for flight attendants, it is the most important “pass” to observe, evaluate and ensure the safety of the entire flight.

Many flight attendants have shared in international magazines that they are trained to observe each passenger from the moment they board the plane. Standing up to greet them allows them to quickly identify who is drunk, who shows signs of illness, stress or unusual behavior - factors that can pose a big risk to flight security.

In case of necessity, passengers can be refused transportation right at the boarding gate, according to Travel + Leisure.

In addition, flight attendants also quietly look for “passengers who can assist” in an emergency situation, called Able-Bodied Passengers (ABPs). These are usually people who appear healthy, calm, have a confident demeanor or are wearing professional uniforms such as soldiers, rescue workers, doctors.

Standing and saluting allows them to quickly identify elements that could pose a major risk to flight security. Photo: Akarawwut Lohacharoenvanich.

In case of emergency evacuation, assistance in opening emergency exits or handling disruptive passengers, these people can help the flight crew save precious seconds. Many aviation experts say this is standard practice for airlines around the world , implemented from the moment passengers board the plane.

Not only do flight attendants look for people who can help, they also take the opportunity to “quickly scan” for those who need assistance. These could be the elderly, pregnant women, parents traveling with young children, people with disabilities, or passengers who seem afraid of flying.

Memorizing the faces and seating positions of these cases helps them proactively assist when needed, from arranging suitable seats to psychological support during takeoff or turbulence. Aviation magazines say this is an important part of helping flight attendants improve service quality without increasing pressure on passengers.

The moment of standing welcome is also a time for flight attendants to assess special service needs: passengers with large carry-on bags, people asking to change seats, families with infants needing a bassinet, or large groups needing to be placed together. These subtle observations help them to shape the entire cabin, calculating how to best serve them throughout the flight. Some flight attendants reveal that in just a few seconds of greeting, they have sketched out the big picture of the entire trip.

In essence, flight attendants are not only flight attendants but also an important part of the aviation security system. Greeting passengers is how they perform their duties without causing the feeling of being checked or stressed for the passengers. All are "camouflaged" with a friendly smile, a warm voice and the professionalism typical of the aviation service industry.

Source: https://znews.vn/vi-sao-tiep-vien-hang-khong-dung-chao-o-cua-may-bay-post1603512.html