What do flight attendants rely on for passenger weight calculations?

Flight attendants rely on counts for adults, children, and ticketed baggage to calculate passenger weight accurately. This method considers the specific number of passengers on board, differentiating between adults and children, as well as accounting for the weight of any baggage checked in for the flight. These counts provide a realistic estimate of the total weight, which is critical for flight safety, takeoff, and landing calculations.

The reason this approach is favored over other options is that accurate passenger counts allow flight attendants to input specific data tailored to each flight, leading to better weight distribution and maintaining balance during flight. Utilizing this method helps ensure that the aircraft remains within weight limits established for safe operation.

On the other hand, relying solely on weights provided by each passenger may lead to inaccuracies, as not all passengers may report their weight correctly, and some may choose not to disclose it. Automatic systems might not always have the necessary information specific to current passengers, while rough estimates based on previous flights do not account for variations in passenger demographics and baggage load, potentially leading to unsafe conditions.