Real and cunning reason why flight attendants greet you as you board a plane

A flight attendant has shared some surprising reasons behind the warm welcome passengers receive as they board a plane.

Frequent flyers are well-acquainted with the boarding process, where attendants stand at the entrance and in aisles to guide people to their seats. As passengers board, they're greeted with a bright smile and asked about their seating.

The common belief is that these attendants, as representatives of the airline, aim to set the tone for a pleasant journey. However, one flight attendant has suggested this isn't the primary reason.

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They claim the real purpose of the friendly greeting is to give passengers a quick assessment before take-off.

In a viral TikTok video, user MrsMiva, who says she works for TUI at Stuttgart airport, explained that flight staff use the boarding process to assess whether passengers are fit to fly. In the video, which has garnered 18.7 million views, she stated they need to check if passengers are "too drunk or sick", reports the Mirror.

She revealed: "Did you know that your flight attendant greets you not only out of kindness but also to check whether you are too drunk or sick to fly? " This revelation sparked comments from viewers confirming this as standard procedure. Some added that attendants might also be assessing someone's potential effectiveness in an emergency.

The flew over travelled next encountered the streets of Glasgow at New Year's Eve. One person shared: "To see if you're 1) safe to fly (not intoxicated) and to see if you could help in an emergency."

Another chimed in: "FA (flight attendant) of eight years - or to check if they could be an ABA (able-bodied assistant)." And a third added: "We are also picking out good candidates for the event of an emergency."

Some flyers warmed up remembering how their "really chill" flight attendants, while others recounted times when the crew members were helpful in difficult travel conditions. One recalled: "Lol my flight attendant back from Vegas must have been really chill cause I was NOT in any condition to be on a plane."

Another remembered: "I was once severely hungover and I threw up twice mid-flight. The flight attendants were so helpful. I felt so bad."