What is the purpose of a cabin security sweep and how often should it be performed?

• A. To increase seating capacity; performed hourly.
• B. To tidy the cabin; performed once per flight only.
• C. To detect threats or unsecured items; conducted at flight start, during flight as necessary, and before landing or after any incident.
• D. To train crew in communication; performed after landing.

Answer: (C)

A cabin security sweep is a proactive check to ensure there are no threats or unsecured items in the cabin. It isn’t about tidying or training; it’s a security-focused inspection where crew walk through galleys, lavatories, seat areas, and other compartments to look for suspicious objects, tampering, or anything left unsecured that could pose a risk to passengers or the crew.

This sweep is conducted at several key times: at the start of the flight to verify the cabin is secure before departure, during the flight as needed if a security concern arises, and before landing to confirm no threats or unsecured items remain and that security is re-established for arrival. It may also be performed after any incident to re-check the cabin.

The other options don’t fit because tidying the cabin, increasing seating capacity, or training in communication are not security functions, and the routine is not limited to a single per-flight check or restricted to a fixed hourly schedule.