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Why flight attendants sit on their hands during takeoff and landing

Ever noticed how

 flight attendants 

sit upright, hands tucked under their thighs, during takeoff or landing? It’s not just a habit—it’s actually a

crucial safety procedure

known as the

brace position

.

This posture is designed to

minimize injury in the event of a sudden impact, hard landing, or emergency

. By

 sitting on their hands 

, with feet flat on the floor and backs straight,

 flight attendants 

anchor themselves to the seat. This prevents their arms from flailing and keeps them

secure and stable

during the most critical phases of flight.

Beyond personal safety, this position also helps them stay

alert and ready to spring into action

if something goes wrong. While passengers might be relaxing or distracted, the cabin crew is in “ready mode,” fully focused and trained to respond instantly if needed.

It’s not optional either—

aviation safety regulations require  flight attendants  to adopt this brace position

, making it part of their official emergency preparedness routine.

So next time you fly, and see them sitting that way—know that they’re not just resting. They’re protecting themselvesandstaying ready to protect you.