Many people perceive that flight attendants placing their hands behind their backs is a normal thing and just a habit. However, for frequent travelers, this recurring action may catch their attention. Flight attendants actually hold a necessary device in their hands during boarding.
One flight attendant revealed the reason behind this gesture. She explained that they often keep a small device in their hands to count passengers as they board by pressing it each time a passenger enters. They try to conceal it for reasons related to boarding procedures, as some airline reception habits are considered confidential. They don’t want to attract attention while using it, and it is essential for the crew to verify the number of passengers on board before the aircraft takes off, whether during boarding or after all passengers are seated. Thus, the crew uses this small device for counting.
