1. I would be thrilled if US, followed by the new AA, ditched all announcements other than required safety briefings and exceptions, e.g. delays and the like.

2. All of this information is available without charge and in real-time via web/text message. I am sure that there are some flyers who still don't have a smart phone, but it can't be many and it's always struck me as silly to provide information which has to be verified on arrival anyway.