The one thing that all flight attendants have in common is a watch on their wrist. Some of us might not consider a watch to be a traditional component of a flight attendant’s uniform, but it is. They all have watches hidden under their sleeves, so you might not see them at first. Allow me to explain why airlines require flight attendants to wear a watch.
Airlines mandate that flight attendants wear watches for more than just aesthetic reasons; the timekeeping capability is crucial in case of an emergency.
Reasons why flight attendants are required to have a watch
Flight attendants are mandated to wear a watch so that they can keep track of the time in case of an emergency landing and ensure that the cabin is ready in a timely manner. In the event of an emergency, the cabin crew normally has a given amount of time to make preparations, such as in the case of an engine or mechanical failure.
In the event of an emergency landing, the captain typically gives the cabin crew sufficient time to prepare the passengers and the cabin for the event. For instance, how much time is available to complete cabin preparations like stowing away unnecessary items and checking that everyone is following emergency safety measures.
The clock is ticking
Cabin crew members need to be able to accurately schedule their actions without missing a single detail, as there are sometimes many tasks to be completed in a very short period of time. Teaching passengers the right bracing stance and selecting able-bodied passengers who were previously profiled to aid in the emergency exit doors are only two examples of their many responsibilities.
Cabin crew members are responsible for briefing certain passengers on how to operate the emergency exit doors and for advising pregnant women and parents with young children on how to appropriately brace themselves in the event of an emergency.
These must be timed precisely so that passengers can get out as soon as possible when the plane goes for an emergency terrain landing. It is also the responsibility of the flight attendants to have their own emergency supplies packed and ready.
And then there are medical emergencies.
Flight attendants have electronic clocks in the form of mobile devices, but they have to put those devices away when an emergency happens.
Flight attendants are required by the airline to wear watches at all times for safety concerns, although there may be other reasons why this is the case, such as passengers asking the attendants for the time. A flight attendant’s watch is an essential piece of emergency gear.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
