Flight attendants do much more than serve snacks and drinks—they’re highly trained safety professionals, and every move they make during a flight is deliberate, especially during takeoff and landing.
One of their key safety procedures is assuming the brace position. As explained by Cebu Pacific flight attendant Henny Lim on TikTok, this involves sitting upright, fastening the seatbelt, placing hands on thighs with thumbs tucked in, keeping arms relaxed, and feet flat on the floor.
So why the unusual posture—hands on thighs, thumbs tucked in?
It’s all about minimizing injury in case of an emergency. This position reduces movement and helps prevent flailing, lowering the risk of broken fingers or other secondary injuries. At the same time, flight attendants run through a “silent review”—mentally rehearsing emergency procedures and their next steps should something go wrong.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) backs this practice, noting its effectiveness in protecting crew members during high-risk moments of flight.
Thanks to social media, flight attendants like Lim are helping to demystify the job, giving passengers a deeper appreciation for the training, discipline, and professionalism that go into keeping everyone safe in the skies.