While you're waiting at the gate, an aircraft is never simply sitting there. Here is what we are doing — and what each part you can see is actually for.
Weather, route, fuel plan, alternates and expected turbulence studied before we leave the crew room.
A full circle of the aircraft by hand and eye: tyres, engines, probes, control surfaces, doors, skin.
Every previous report read and confirmed cleared by engineers. Anything outstanding stops the flight.
Trip fuel, alternate fuel, reserves and extra. Weight and balance confirmed inside limits.
Both pilots program and brief independently, then cross-check every figure aloud.
Cabin crew report the cabin ready, doors armed, checklists complete. Only then do we push back.
Flex is designed in. Test wings are bent far past anything weather can produce before the type is certified. A rigid wing would be the dangerous one.