Which event is earliest in the pre-departure timeline?

• A. Check-in/report
• B. Boarding begins
• C. Onboard the aircraft
• D. Crew briefing

Answer: (A)

Pre-departure sequencing begins with check-in/report because it confirms who is traveling and who is on duty, generating the passenger manifest and crew rosters. This step provides the essential information needed to proceed with boarding, aircraft preparation, and the crew’s readiness. Without completing check-in, there’s no verified count or identification to support boarding, onboard activities, or a crew briefing. Boarding is scheduled to occur after check-in, and the other steps follow in the sequence, with crew briefing typically happening once the crew has reported and the flight is preparing to depart. So the very first action that starts the pre-departure timeline is check-in/report.