“#Dear passengers, this is your captain speaking. To ensure a safe landing, please return your seats to the upright position and close your tray tables.#”
No problem, but why do we have to do this?
- We are asked to do this for safety reasons only. In the event of an emergency evacuation, it’s crucial that the aisles remain clear. This also makes it easier for the person sitting by the window to exit quickly.
- It’s also important for the cabin crew to be able to see through the airplane windows to detect any fire outside. This way, they can make sure no one is trapped inside the plane on the side that is on fire.
Closing the tray tables provides more freedom of movement during an evacuation and helps ensure that everyone can leave the aircraft safely.