One Thing Flight Attendants Aren't Allowed To Do On A Flight That Nearly Every Passenger Does

You settle in your seat and plug in your headphones — your ears blocked away from the noise around you, as you enjoy your music or podcasts. That's you, a passenger. But when it comes to flight attendants, it's a different ball game. In spite of being on the same plane with you for a stretch of hours, flight attendants aren't allowed to use headphones for personal entertainment while on duty. The reason for this is to ensure that the attendants are always alert and available in case they're needed — usually when an emergency arises or there's a sudden change in cabin conditions.

Although this policy may seem strict and inconsiderate, it's essentially a means of ensuring safety and upholding professionalism. Cabin crew are responsible for various safety measures in-flight, and this is only possible by monitoring passengers' activities and listening to announcements from the cockpit. As such, they have to be responsive. The use of headphones might reduce their awareness levels, thereby preventing them from noticing subtle cues such as the sounds of a passenger in distress, which they're supposed to observe. So while you enjoy your special playlist, flight attendants must remain privy to the environment.

There are many requirements flight attendants must meet: being hospitable (no matter the ridiculousness of some passengers' complaints) is one. But beyond that, they have to be security-conscious. Unlike passengers who can zone out with their noise-canceling headphones, flight attendants must be fully attentive. They're trained to detect every key thing that can make or mar the success of a flight — from faint dings to announcements over the PA system. While most passengers don't pay attention to these sounds, or simply miss them while they're lost in the world of their headphones, flight attendants need to hear everything because it might be a crew call, a smoke warning, or emergency instructions. The earlier such alerts are noticed, the faster a potential crisis can be prevented.

This no-headphone policy for flight attendants also has a customer service angle to it. Being approachable and available, in addition to being responsive, is the hallmark of a professional flight attendant, as this makes it easy for passengers to get solutions to any issues they may have mid-flight. Imagine having a problem with your seatbelt that wouldn't unbuckle, and trying to get the attention of a crew member who's busy nodding to the rhythms spilling from their headphones. That'd surely be a helpless try on your part and failed service on the attendant's.

In relation to this, a passenger — wondering whether to lodge a report — expressed concern about a flight attendant who had airpods on mid-flight. Narrating via One Mile At A Time, the user said: "Of course I don't know what this flight attendant was listening to (music, a book, etc.), but either way, that's certainly not allowed, and it of course raises serious safety concerns." Clearly, this shows that the use of headphones can even ruin some passengers' confidence while flying.

You might wonder: If headphones and music are off-limits for flight attendants, how then do they unwind? Well, although the available relaxation options may be limited, they're practical enough to ensure passenger safety isn't compromised. Crew members may read physical books or use e-readers. They may also do light stretching, meditate, or even have silent conversations with fellow attendants when on official breaks. Flight attendants can also have two to four hours of rotated naps in crew rest compartments, especially on long-haul flights. These spaces provide more privacy, but attentiveness and reachability must still be ensured. Be ready to respond — that's the attendants' job in a nutshell.

What can passengers pick from this? Remember that the discomfort these flight attendants go through is a sacrifice made by them to maintain safety. So, when you're flying next, consider appreciating the crew's efforts, as they keep themselves headphone-free, away from entertainment, and keep your journey smooth from takeoff to landing. It's enough appreciation to be a nice passenger, and not an unruly one whose actions cause low morale for flight attendants.