Turbulence

Turbulence is a totally normal phenomena for the flying Crew, in fact there is no flight without a tiny bit of turbulence. The question is only when and how intense is it going to be.

But let's start from the basics. What is turbulence? It is an irregular motion of the air due to currents or even due to the motion produced by a bigger vehicle than yours (let's say you are flying on Airbus319 and you pass by Big Mama A380. It's like being on a highway on a motorcycle and passing by a truck, you get the idea, right?). 

Usually during the pre-flight briefing the flight Crew informs the Cabin Crew about the expected turbulence on route. They know the when and how intense while still on ground. That way Cabin Crew can plan the service accordingly. So most of the times they know already when it is coming, how long it is going to last and how strong it is going to be. Sometimes the route might be adjusted in-flight in order to avoid storms and possible turbulent areas. Pilots will never decide to go through an area of severe turbulence, because that can cause structural damage to the fuselage and take the plane out of control momentarily. So if that happens, it means it was unexpected. In other words it didn't show on the radars, it came out of the blue sky. And that is pretty much the only time you might experience severe turbulence, because pilots will avoid even the medium ones, while a light turbulence happens on a daily basis.

As a matter of fact, light turbulence can even be pleasant. I've heard many Crew say (including myself) that the best time for the turbulence to happen is during the in-flight rest on the long flights. It literally feels like you are cuddled to sleep! But if the bumps become too sharp turning to medium intensity, it might prevent you from sleeping. On the other side the worst timing for turbulence to happen is during the service. Spilling drinks on passengers or yourself is not fun. Neither pushing a 100kg heavy cart down the aisle against the strength of nature.

How will you know what intensity you are experiencing? If there are few bumps and your Cabin Crew continue the service and move around the cabin with nonchalance, it's probably light turbulence. If the bumps are persistent and your Crew discontinue the service and sit down themselves, that is most likely to be medium turbulence. I have never experienced the severe one, but I have colleagues who did. I also saw the effects of it, because they teach your that in the aviation academy. Something as heavy as the 100kg full cart with food, cutlery and drinks will be taken to the ceiling. Any person who is standing will fly to the ceiling. Any loose objects will hit the ceiling (and back). THAT is severe turbulence. If it happens, you'll be fully aware of it.

So why the pilots put the seatbelt sign on and then there is no turbulence?! Well first of all, unless it is unexpected and you're required to comply immediately (and you will, trust me), pilots will give you time to comply. So they will turn the seatbelt sign 5-10 minutes  before it starts, so even the people in the lavatory will have time to go back to their seat and secure themselves. Then Cabin Crew need to stay safe as well, so they first need to check on the passenger compliance and finally seat down themselves and that takes time. And finally sometimes the radars show certain intensity of turbulence which at the end turns out to be less strong than predicted. But better safe than sorry, right?

So the general rule is very simple: observe your Cabin Crew and copy paste. If they are seated with seatbelt fasten, there is a reason for it. You should do the same!

And one more tip. When you are sleeping with the blanket, fasten your seatbelt OVER the blanket, so it will be clearly visible. That way if there is turbulence during your nap, not only you'll stay safe, but Cabin Crew won't need to disturb you by waking you up to fasten your seatbelt. Because they will, it's their job. Simple as that.

Safe flights and clear skies!