'Scary' reason flight attendants sit on their hands during take-off and landing

If you’ve been on a flight recently, you may have noticed the strange way flight attendants sit up front.

You know the position I’m talking about - hands under bottoms?

However, there’s an important reason why they do this.

Recently, a flight attendant in the Philippines explained on TikTok why the crew can often be seen sitting on their hands during takeoff and landing.

Why do flight attendants sit on their hands during take-off?

Henny Lim is a flight attendant for Cebu Pacific airlines, and shared that it has everything to do with preventative measures rather than keeping their hands warm during the flight.

In the clip, Lim presented the question: "Why do cabin crew sit on their hands while in their jumpseats?"

If you didn’t know, jumpseats are the seats that crew members can sit on while they are not moving about the cabin during takeoff and landing.

Lim went on to demonstrate the position with her hands under her thighs, explaining that the position is called the 'bracing position' which crews need to use in case of emergency.

Now, you might recall the position we’ve all been told is the optimal position to protect yourself during a plane crash - head-down brace position - but this position instead involves 'fastening seatbelt securely, sit upright, sit on hands, palms up, thumbs tuck[ed] and arms loose'.

During the position, crew need to have their feet 'flat on the floor' to 'keep the body in a rigid pose'.

It’s not exactly a comfortable pose, however its aim is to protect the body in the event of 'any impact from an unplanned emergency'.

"This keeps body movement restricted so there's less chance of injury if there is an impact," Lim said.

But it’s not the only position they’ll use.

How cabin crew position their heads depends on where they're sitting

Hilary Clark, director of in-flight services with private jet company Planet 9, spoke to Travel + Leisure and explained: "The reason for this safety position is if an emergency were to occur on takeoff or landing, their head, hands, and arms are already in a slight brace position.

"Depending on the jump seat position and location, and the aircraft type, they also place their head a certain way for takeoff and landing.

"For example, if their seat is facing away from the pilots, toward the aft of the aircraft, they place their head slightly up and back on the headrest.

"If their seat is facing the pilots, to the forward of the aircraft, they place their head down and slightly tuck their chin as if they are bowing."

The silent review

According to Lim, during this time crew members go through the 'silent review', which includes 'being aware of emergency equipment in the location, door operation, commands given and any visual clues outside the aircraft'.

Silent reviews allow crew to prepare for emergency situations.

Airbus also recommends crew members to perform silent reviews on each flight, according to its safety documents.

The documents read: "The silent review (or 30-second review) is recommended for cabin crew to mentally recall the key aspects of the emergency evacuation procedure while they are seated at their station before each takeoff and landing, and decreases the risk of distraction.

"This silent review will help the cabin crew to focus and be prepared in case an emergency evacuation is required. This technique will also help to minimize the startle effect."

After providing the answer to a sought-after question, commenters flocked to express their opinions.

One person wrote: "Always preparing for a crash is scary."

Others thanked Lim for her information.

But hopefully you’ll never have to use this pose!