A flight attendant has revealed that the warm welcome passengers receive when boarding a plane is not merely a display of good manners, but a crucial safety check. The revelation, shared in a viral TikTok video, explains that cabin crew use the greeting to visually assess travellers from head to toe before take-off.
MrsMiva, who claims to work for TUI out of Stuttgart airport, disclosed that attendants are checking to see if passengers appear too drunk or too sick to fly. The video, which has amassed over 18 million views, also clarifies that the greeting enables crew to identify potential able-bodied assistants (ABAs) who could help in an emergency.
One commenter who claimed to be an eight-year veteran flight attendant confirmed the practice, writing: “FA of eight years – or to check if they could be an ABA (able-bodied assistant).” The comments section also saw passengers sharing their own experiences with cabin crew, noting that some were particularly supportive when travellers were in poor health.
The ability to assist is especially important for those seated next to emergency exit doors, which offer extra legroom but come with responsibilities. Ryanair’s terms and conditions state that it can change allocated seats at any time for operational, safety or security reasons. Passengers in rows 1, 16 or 17 must be over 16, physically capable of assisting, travelling without an infant, and not requiring special assistance or a seat belt extender.
For those who wish to avoid the extra responsibility, there are other ways to secure more legroom without sitting in an exit row. The viral video has sparked widespread discussion about the true purpose of the boarding greeting, highlighting that cabin crew's primary duty is always safety.
