So to follow up on my latest observations of Chinese flights, I've noticed that there frequently seems to be a male security officer on board? He seems to sit in the first row of economy (bulkhead seat). He's not dressed in an FA uniform, so it leads me to think he's someone else. I used to think he was just a rude passenger because he'd get up during taxi and fumble through the overhead bins for his stuff. I looked closely last time and he pulled out a notebook and a magazine and threw it on his seat during taxi and sat back down.

Is he an actual FA or there for security? I'm a little confused because he doesn't seem to perform normal FA duties. Can anyone explain what this guy is for? We frequently hear of nightmare passengers, so maybe he's there to deal with them?