Originally Posted by glg
What I recall on most flights is first:
Flight Attendants, prepare for ARRIVAL
This being the signal to do a last trash sweep, get seats upright, etc. Coming into ORD on a 737 or Airbus, this usually occurs around the time the flight is handed off to Approach.
Flight Attendants, prepare for LANDING
This being the signal for the FA's to sit down and strap in. Coming into ORD, usually around the turn for final.
But I may have those backwards
There's only one signal. Sometimes the pilots may say "arrival," sometimes "landing." It is the same thing. Once we hear it, we do the final sweep, and sit down & strap in once the final sweep is completed.