When you board a flight the crew always greets you with a smile and a quick glance down at your feet. They are not checking out your fashion sense because they actually look at your shoes for safety and health reasons. Here is what they are secretly looking for when you step onto the plane.
Spotting Emergency Hazards Right Away

They need to know who can move fast and who might trip over their own feet if a problem happens. Flight attendants look for practical shoes because clumsy footwear can slow everyone down during a quick evacuation.
Watching Out for Sharp High Heels

You might look amazing in those stilettos but they are actually a huge hazard on an airplane. High heels can easily puncture the inflatable escape slides so the crew will make you take them off if you need to leave fast.
Finding the Flimsy Flip Flops

Flip flops are great for the beach but they offer absolutely no protection when you are running down an airplane aisle. They slip off super easily and leave your feet exposed to hot pavement outside and whatever else is on the ground.
Checking for Super Slippery Soles

Those smooth bottom shoes might look classy but they can turn the airplane aisle into an ice skating rink. One wrong step during some turbulence and you could accidentally do the splits right there in front of everybody.
Keeping an Eye on Tight Boots

Tall boots that go over the knee look super stylish but they can actually cut off your circulation while you sit for hours. The crew knows that tight shoes make foot swelling way worse because of the pressure difference up in the air.
Noticing Those Cozy House Slippers

It makes sense to wear fuzzy slippers for comfort but they are basically useless if you need to move quickly. They slide right off your feet the second you start running and nobody wants to outrun a problem wearing fluffy clouds.
Looking for Good Supportive Sneakers

Flight attendants love seeing passengers walk on wearing regular running shoes or tennis shoes because they just make everything easier. Sneakers protect your feet perfectly and help you bolt down the aisle without twisting an ankle.
Spotting Bare Feet and Hygiene Issues

People wearing flimsy shoes tend to kick them off during the flight and put their bare feet on everything which is totally gross. The crew checks for this because walking barefoot to the airplane bathroom is a massive hygiene mistake that you really want to avoid.
Noticing Slip-On Shoes With Backs

Loafers and casual flats with a strap are great because you can take them off at security but they stay on firmly during the flight. It shows the crew that you brought shoes that are a nice mix of simple ease and basic safety.
Spotting the Classic Crocs Wearers

Some people might laugh at Crocs but they handle foot swelling like absolute champions on a long flight. You can just flip that little heel strap into sport mode and you are completely ready to move fast if you ever need to.