I think she is full of it. It is on almost 100 percent of the time on my flights. Very rarely will I have a Capt. say "no Ch. 9" during briefing.

However, there are exceptions and I had one recently and I suggested that if we had a ground delay, as we were expecting due to the weather/ATC, that Ch. 9 is a great tool to keep the pax from thinking I'm a LIAR! Sure enough I had 3 people tell me "I've talked to my friend in EWR and the weather is fine..." So I called and he turned it on during the ground delay(s) and off during the flight (and also gave an explanation of how the weather in one place doesn't necessarily mean we can fly). But that is his policy, and I'm certainly not going to argue about it.

Also had a Capt. say Ch. 9 is on "by request". So then I say someone requested it so he will turn it on!! Is that bad??!!