What action should you take if you detect a smoke odor in the cabin?

• A. Immediately evacuate all passengers from the cabin.
• B. Notify the captain and follow the smoke/odor procedure.
• C. Use a fire extinguisher without alerting the captain.
• D. Ignore it if the odor is faint.

Answer: (B)

Detecting a smoke odor means there could be a fire and requires immediate coordination with the flight deck and adherence to the smoke/odor procedure. The captain has the authority to assess the threat, decide whether to declare an emergency, divert, or initiate an evacuation. By notifying the captain, you trigger a controlled, crew-wide response: other crew members check the cabin, assist passengers, and prepare the cabin while the captain orders the next steps based on the situation. Acting without authorization, such as pulling a fire extinguisher on your own, bypasses the command structure and can complicate coordination or cause harm. Evacuation should only be conducted when the captain determines it’s necessary; performing an evacuation without direction is unsafe. Ignoring the odor isn’t appropriate either, since even a faint smell can indicate a developing issue that needs assessment.

So the best action is to notify the captain and follow the smoke/odor procedure.