Originally Posted by
CalIahFo
If you are serious (not totally serious, just a little bit serious) then I have a question for ya (actually a series of related questions). We (pilots) are required by CO to make three announcements. The captain makes one on the ground shortly before the door is closed. Once we level off the pilot not flying makes an announcement and just before or during the descent we make another one. My questions are:
Does anyone actually pay attention to these?
To see if you are paying attention can anyone tell me what is in the announcements?
Do you get any useful info from them?
Would you prefer we just shut up so you can sleep?
Do you like additional announcements such as "those of you on the left side of the aircraft should have an excellent view of the Grand Canyon, while those on the right can see Mount Rainer..." (on a day with REALLY good visibility)
Fire away!
I like to hear gate info if flying into a connecting airport or wx if flying into destination, so, yeah, I listen. Also flight time if on a route I don't fly often, but that's about 1x to 2x per year.
I like landmarks that are genuine landmarks and which can be seen from the plane (Rainier, Grand Canyon, etc). I have no need to know that we're flying over Dallas (which I've heard often on OKC-IAH flights).
Two pet peeves of mine with pilot spiels:
1) Often the spiel will start 5 minutes into the IFE. Seems like this could be timed better. Perhaps this is an FA/pilot coordination issue (I doubt y'all know what's happening on IFE), or perhaps it's just the way of the world.
2) Some pilots will key the mic on and off during their spiel. If this happens to be during IFE, it can get you through several lines of dialogue after which you have no idea what happened (and I'm the type guy who instinctively reaches for my Tivo remote at the movie theater).
Originally Posted by
LukeSkywaiter
Actually, a memo was put out in the last few months (I, of course, cannot find it, but I promise this is true) that, while, selling headsets on the ground is not OK, showing the preview is.
This is especially helpful on hit or miss flights, where showing the preview on the ground vs. the air makes the difference as to whether or not they get the scheduled movie or Continental Vision.
It seems to me that this would make it easier... after the preview, you could announce "once we're in the air, we'll be through the cabin with headphones available for $1." Then you can walk the cabin once in the air without having to announce it?
Originally Posted by
belynch
I probably only speak for myself on this -- but I think it's only necessary to give updates when you have new info. I fly enough to know that you guys want to get off the ground just as much as I do and you'll do everything in your power to get the plane on the way.
Well, I'd say new info or every 30 minutes to say there's no new info. But this has been my experience with CO generally.
Originally Posted by
belynch
My constant worry, flying in the evening, is that my crew is going to time out during excessive delays. I'd love to find out what the "wall" is and what the risk is for cancellation. I can then effectively manage a plan B scenario, if that exists.
I agree with this.