Originally Posted by wxguy

The policy is it is on at the pilot's discretion. A few pilots, like a few FAs, make up their own interpretation. Fortunately, it's a few.

A story I heard from a UA pilot whom I respect and trust: The hourly recorded airport weather, "ATIS," must be acknowledged by the pilot upon receiving the pre-departure clearance on the ground, as well as initial contact with approach control on initial decent. ATIS editions are coded using the phonetic alphabet, starting with ALPHA and ending with ZULU. A passenger heard an acknowledgement of "We have WHISKEY" and reported to the FAA the pilots had alcohol in the cockpit. And the crew had a mountain of paperwork to fill out. It just ruins it for all when that happens.