Madison Marsh is the young woman who just won 2023’s Miss Colorado pageant. She’s also an active-duty Air Force piIot who recently graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy, which means she will be the first-ever active-duty USAF pilot to compete for the Miss America pageant crown.
Marsh also recently appeared on FNC’s Fox & Friends Weekend to discuss her run for the pageant title and how the miIitary views her decision to go for the crown.
This year’s Miss America pageant has been going on since January 6, 2024.
And Marsh is not just a pilot and pageant contestant. Fox & Friends Weekend host Pete Hegseth, going over her impressive resume, said, “you’re a National Truman Scholar, two-time National Astronaut scholar, eight-time Dean’s List at the Air Force – three-times Superintendent’s List, a National Rhodes finaIist, certified private pilot, and a black belt in taekwondo, and you’re a graduate of the Kennedy School at Harvard.
Then, after they joked about how intimidated potentiaI suitors must be, Marsh turned to discussing why her story is one that is important and worth telling. Doing so, she told the hosts, Cause I started flying around 15, that’s whenever I kind of fell in love with the Air Force Academy and the idea of serving.
And so I walk through what that flight looks Iike and some of the things that went wrong and how they relate to me today as a leader and an officer, and kind of how that goes into pageantry as well.”
Flight Attendant Reveals Surprising Reason Why Cabin Crew Sits On Their Hands During Take Off and Landing
In the world of air travel, flight attendants do much more than serve drinks and snacks—they are highly trained safety professionals, responsible for the well-being of all passengers. Among the many safety protocols they follow, one unusual practice often catches the eye: flight attendants sitting on their hands during takeoff and landing. While it may look odd to the average traveler, there is an important reason behind this procedure.
Image Credit: @_hennylim_ TikTok
Let’s explore the purpose of this practice and how it plays a critical role in ensuring safety during flights.
The Bracing Position Explained by a Flight Attendant
If you’ve ever noticed flight attendants buckling up in their jump seats and adopting a particular posture—sitting on their hands as the plane takes off or prepares to land—you might wonder what they’re doing. In a viral TikTok video, Cebu Pacific flight attendant Henny Lim sheds light on this often-overlooked protocol.
According to Lim, the posture flight attendants take, known as the bracing position, involves several key actions:
Fastening seatbelts securely
Sitting upright
Placing hands on their thighs with thumbs tucked in
Keeping arms relaxed
Ensuring their feet are flat on the floor
While this position may seem strange to passengers, it’s designed to serve a crucial purpose, especially in the event of an emergency.
Purpose of the Bracing Position
The main goal of the bracing position is to minimize movement and reduce the risk of injury if a crash or emergency landing occurs. During an impact, bodies can be thrown forward with significant force, leading to dangerous, uncontrolled movements, or flailing, which increases the risk of injury. By sitting on their hands and securing themselves, flight attendants limit their body’s motion and protect their limbs from potential harm.
Additionally, flight attendants use this time to mentally prepare for emergency scenarios. As Lim explains, this involves conducting a “silent review” where they mentally go over safety procedures, emergency exits, equipment, and commands. This mental preparation ensures they can act swiftly and effectively in the event of an emergency, prioritizing passenger safety at all times.
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