During a preflight check, what must be confirmed about the escape rope?

During a preflight check, confirming that the escape rope is present and operational is crucial for ensuring safety in emergency situations. The escape rope is designed to facilitate the rapid evacuation of an aircraft in case of an emergency, allowing passengers and crew to exit safely. If the escape rope is missing or not functioning correctly, it compromises the aircraft's emergency preparedness, which could lead to dangerous situations if an evacuation becomes necessary.

While it is also important for the escape rope to be stored properly, coiled correctly, and have a weight rating label, these factors are secondary to the fundamental requirement that the rope must be available and capable of performing its intended function. Thus, confirming its presence and operational status is the primary concern during the preflight check.