Flight Attendant Talk – Doors to Arm and Cross Check

When we travel on a plane, we often hear flight attendants speak in terms we don’t understand like “doors to arm and cross check”. Although it might not seem important to passengers, I believe it’s beneficial for us to be familiar with these terms and phrases. This knowledge can help us understand the status of our flights and what’s happening during our journey.

Doors Armed and Cross Checked

Flight attendants use a variety of phrases and commands during flights to ensure safety, efficiency, and communication among the crew and passengers. One of the first commands you might hear is “Cabin Crew, Doors Arm to and Cross Check,” signaling the preparation of the aircraft doors for an emergency evacuation. Once done, the cabin crew says “doors armed and cross checked“. These phrases may differ per airline and aircraft.

This procedure involves arming the doors so that escape slides or rafts deploy and inflate quickly if needed. Interestingly, it’s physically impossible for aircraft doors to open mid-flight due to the significant difference in air pressure inside and outside the cabin.

Preparing for Takeoff and Landing

As the aircraft begins its descent, the command “Cabin Crew – prepare the cabin for landing” is issued. This instruction, also known as “top of the drop,” prompts the crew to ensure passengers are buckled up, tray tables are stowed, and window shades are up. The latter, while seemingly minor, is crucial for visibility in the unlikely event of an emergency, allowing both crew and passengers to assess outside conditions and emergency services to see inside the aircraft if necessary.

The request to open window shades, despite potentially interrupting a passenger’s rest, is a vital safety measure. It ensures that in emergencies, visibility is maximized for everyone on board. Flight attendants also use a series of other safety-related commands, such as “Doors to manual/automatic” to manage door operations and confirm their security. Phrases like “Cabin secured for takeoff/landing” and “Seatbelts on/off” are straightforward instructions aimed at passenger safety during critical flight phases.

Communication Bells and Chimes

Effective communication among the potentially large crew on long-haul flights is facilitated through various bells and chimes. For instance, the ‘boing’ sound after takeoff indicates the retraction of the landing gear, while a second ‘boing’ often means the seatbelt sign has been turned off. Other sounds, like a single chime or a HI-LO chime, signal passenger requests or crew communications, respectively. A triple chime LO-LO indicates a priority message from the captain or crew, possibly about upcoming turbulence.

While it’s not necessary to memorize every term like “doors to arm and cross check” that flight attendants use, I highly encourage passengers to understand them. This way, you’ll know what’s happening and what to do in case of an emergency. These flight attendant phrases are not difficult to understand. The commands and phrases usually differ per airline.