Overview
- Crew members position themselves at main and emergency exits to enable an immediate, coordinated evacuation if needed and to meet airline safety rules that require exits to be staffed until doors are closed.
- Airlines enforce specific postures and seating at some exits so that required 'exit pairs' remain staffed and a rapid evacuation target can be met.
- From the doorway attendants check hand luggage size, direct passengers to the correct rows, and watch for signs of intoxication or illness so problems can be handled before pushback.
- Flight attendants can see selected pre-boarding data such as frequent-flyer status, meal requests, assistance needs, unaccompanied minors and stand-by or staff travelers and use those notes to plan service and seat assignments.
- Recent reporting also debunks the long-running myth that attendants secretly count passengers with a hidden device and explains that hands-behind-back is a professional greeting rather than a covert tallying method.