How should you respond if a passenger discreetly asks for help by handing you a note?

When a passenger discreetly hands a note asking for help, it's essential to prioritize safety and security by notifying the flight deck and fellow flight attendants. This protocol ensures that the situation is communicated to all relevant personnel on board who can respond appropriately. The flight deck is responsible for the overall safety of the flight, and they need to be aware of any potential issues that could affect it. Involving your fellow flight attendants also ensures that there are multiple witnesses and that additional support is available to address the passenger's needs effectively.

This response allows the crew to maintain a high level of situational awareness and enables a coordinated response if the note indicates an emergency or a safety concern. In contrast, simply ignoring the note could leave the crew unaware of a potentially serious situation, while calling airport security might be premature unless there's a clear threat. Directly asking the passenger what they need could also be risky if the situation involves a safety issue that should be escalated immediately to the flight deck.