What does the Pilot's Announcement "Cabin Crew, arm the Slides" mean?

When you are sitting in the airplane, you often hear announcements from the crew. What does the often-heard announcement "Cabin crew, arm the slides" before departure actually mean? In the "Ask the Expert" section, we explore the question with our expert Christian Fridell from SWISS Cabin Crew Management. 

Flying is fascinating! Aviation is as varied as the destinations SWISS flies to. And the numerous unanswered questions and myths about flying are at least as varied and exciting. In the "Ask the Expert" section, we get to the bottom of the facts and offer simple explanations to the big questions. Our experts know the answer to (almost) everything!

What does the pilot's announcement "Cabin crew, arm the slides" mean?

 

Do you have an exciting question of your own? We look forward to your input with the subject "Ask the Expert" to swissmagazine@swiss.com.