When boarding a flight, travelers place a lot of trust in airlines and their crew. That friendly “hello” from flight attendants isn’t just polite—it’s a subtle safety check. According to popular TikToker and flight attendant @itsmekikooooo, cabin crew use these greetings to assess each passenger’s condition. They’re trained to spot signs of intoxication, illness, or other issues that might become a problem mid-flight.

Many flight attendants confirm this. One commented, “We look for people who are sober, healthy, and ideally capable of helping in an emergency.” However, not all passengers believe it. One user joked, “I puked three times on a flight, and they still let me board!” Others questioned the logic, wondering why airport bars are so common if intoxication is such a concern.

Still, many passengers shared their own stories, from flying with pets to managing anxiety. Most agreed that cabin crew are helpful and calming. Beyond greetings, some perks—like bottled water, kids’ activity books, or hygiene kits—are available upon request. However, not all airlines provide equal experiences. Carriers like United, Spirit, and even AirCanada have faced criticism for poor service, delays, and mistreatment, causing travelers to think twice before choosing their airline.