As far as my coolest pilot created experience, it was on a DL flight last year SAN-ATL and shortly after take-off the pilot announced he would be dipping both sides of the plane to show everyone the pretty awesome sandstorm that was blowing across Imperial Valley. He gave each side a good solid 90 seconds too...

As far as irritating, I don't know if I just have good hearing but the pre-announcement "ding" always wakes me, or startles me if I'm already awake. Too bad I usually find the "things to see" announcements interesting leaving me in a quandary. Can't there just be talking with no ding?

For as short as the runway at SAN is, most of the landings here are pretty well done.