Every time a plane prepares for take-off or landing, flight attendants make a strict final check: all tray tables must be stowed, and all seat backs must be in the fully upright position. For the tired or comfortable flyer, this rule often feels like needless rigidity, interrupting a moment of relaxation. However, like the window shade rule, this instruction is wholly about emergency egress and is one of the most vital, yet least understood, life-saving measures on board.
The logic is brutally simple: an emergency evacuation demands clear, immediate access to the aisle. A reclined seat significantly restricts the space behind you, slowing down the person in the row behind when they try to move out. Furthermore, a lowered tray table creates an immediate, sharp barrier that can trip or injure passengers trying to scramble into the aisle. By returning your seat and table to the upright and locked position, you are not just being polite to the person behind you; you are creating a clear, unobstructed escape path for everyone in your row, potentially saving lives when every single second counts.
