Originally Posted by
LarryJ
Maybe some, but not most of us. We don't think about liability. We think about safety. It doesn't help now that we have so many turbulence reporting and forecasting tools on our iPads in the cockpit. We're constantly looking at turbulence forecasts or reports near our route and there's frequently the change of turbulence.
When there are some bumps, but it's not clear if the sign should be on or off, I think about if the bumps we have are enough that it would cause someone to fall as they try to walk down the isle. I also consider what I see on RADAR, out the window, and on the various weather products on our iPads and if they are indicating that an increase in turbulence is likely.
Sorry I don't buy this. The difference is so extreme between European airlines and US airlines on TATL to be coherent with what you are saying. European pilots have the same tools and same knowledge about weather. Yet on a flight with a US airlines there might be one (not even several) bump very early in the flight and the seat belt will stay on for the remaining 8 hours of flight time. Or even simply they never turn it off after take off despite an entirely smooth flight.
This would never happen on a European airline. The sign is on if there is actual turbulence. And is switched off when the pilot thinks we are out. Or it is on as preventive measure in some conditions (flying close to CB, reports from aircraft ahead).