Airline Crew Don't Want You To Know They Secretly Enjoy Turbulence For This Reason
"The Captain has turned on the Fasten Seatbelt sign ... " That sentence isn't something passengers want to hear during a flight. But if you've flown before, you've probably heard it at least once. Turbulence happens on most flights, and it is usually less of a big deal than it feels like.
But you might not have heard the more serious announcement that "Flight Attendants will now return to their seats ... " You'll hear this during moderate turbulence, and some flight attendants really look forward to it. That's right. Some cabin crew like a bit of rollercoaster action when they're in the air. But why? Several flight attendants say it's because they get to sit down and rest. Former Emirates Flight Attendant Jay Robert tells the Daily Mail that "for operating flight attendants, moderate turbulence often brings a welcome break time where we can sit down and have a timeout from requests."
Before you start thinking that flight attendants are lazy, consider the physical demands of the job. The food and beverage cart can weigh up to 60 pounds. And flight attendants can clock up over 11,000 steps on a 13-hour flight, according to a 2022 study by Simple Flying. And they are not wearing sneakers while doing that workout. They have their feet crammed into dress shoes or high heels. They deserve a sit-down.
Does turbulence always stop service?
As you might know, service often continues during turbulence. If turbulence is deemed "light," passengers must remain seated with their seatbelts fastened, but the crew can carry on. Flight attendants are advised to be careful when serving hot beverages, and they might stop serving hot drinks altogether if they think it's unsafe. No one wants a hot cappuccino in their lap. Basically, light turbulence prevents passengers from roaming around the galley, not the crew.
When turbulence escalates to "moderate," flight attendants are in luck. Usually, they will quickly check the galley for unsecured objects and ensure passengers' seat belts are fastened. And then they'll sit down. During this brief window, cabin crew cannot serve passengers and don't have to respond to the call bell, enjoying a break from annoying in-flight behaviors from passengers. Moderate turbulence doesn't concern most crew members. It's just a time for flight attendants to sit back and relax.