For what reason would the flight crew make the PA "Cabin crew standby"?

The announcement "Cabin crew standby" is typically made by the flight crew when there is a non-life-threatening situation on the ground, indicating that the crew should be ready to respond to developments or instructions. This could involve situations that require the crew's presence or preparedness without the immediately urgent context that would entail more severe alerts.

While preparing for landing, which might occur in some contexts, would usually warrant a more specific announcement like "Cabin crew prepare for landing." Likewise, turbulence is generally communicated directly to the cabin crew with clear instructions on how to manage that situation. Managing cabin lighting does not usually necessitate a standby alert, as such adjustments are typically routine and not indicative of any situation requiring immediate crew readiness. Understanding these contexts clarifies the purpose of the standby call and its relation to operational safety and readiness on board.