Flight Attendants’ Hotel Room Safety Checklist
Before settling into their hotel rooms, many flight attendants conduct what they’ve termed a “hotel room autopsy.” This is a brief safety check that usually spans six steps, aimed at ensuring their surroundings are secure and suitable for stay.
This practice is quite common among airline crew who spend numerous nights away from home each year. It covers various aspects, from examining door locks to identifying emergency exits.
According to a post by CabinCrew24, a resource targeting flight attendants, “This is not a nervous habit.” Instead, it stems from years spent sleeping in unfamiliar rooms across various countries, often under diverse safety regulations and hotel security measures.
Interestingly, some of these checks align with safety recommendations put forth by the U.S. State Department for hotel stays.
6 Steps to Feel Safer
1. Scan the Room
The first thing flight attendants do is scan the room to ensure it’s empty. They tend to keep the door ajar while checking, making sure housekeeping has completed their tasks.
“I like to get acquainted with the room and ensure everything seems normal,” shared Aura Martinez, a flight attendant based in New York for nearly two decades. “It doesn’t have to take a lot of time.”
2. Conduct an Inspection
Next, they examine common hiding spots like bathrooms, closets, and behind curtains.
3. Know the Emergency Exit’s Location
Frequent travelers make it a point to locate the nearest emergency exit and check the evacuation map on the back of the hotel door in case of emergencies.
“During an emergency is not the best time to learn the layout of the area,” advised Brian Rooney, a travel advisor from Texas.
Martinez suggested that knowing whether to turn left or right and estimating the distance to the stairwell is also beneficial.
4. Check the Locks
Flight attendants take the time to check that doors, deadbolts, security latches, and windows all function properly.
5. Ensure the Phone Works
It’s also crucial to verify that the room’s phone is working, so they have a way to contact the front desk or emergency services if needed.
Rooney added, “If someone unexpectedly knocks claiming to be staff, call the front desk to confirm before opening the door.” Martinez supported this caution, emphasizing that one can be polite yet vigilant.
6. Use a Door Alarm
Lastly, experts recommend placing a portable door alarm or a wedge at the door’s base for an extra precautionary measure, keeping travelers aware if someone tries to enter. However, it shouldn’t take the place of ensuring that the hotel’s locks are secure.
Martinez noted that carrying a small flashlight is an often-overlooked essential for travel.
Ultimately, the aim is to be aware of one’s surroundings rather than to feel apprehensive about traveling. “Just a minute or two on checks can help you transition into enjoying your trip,” Rooney concluded.
Martinez echoed this sentiment: “It’s all about being prepared, not living in fear.”
