I've done several transatlantics in the last year originating from the east coast. Almost every time there has been significant turbulence as the plane heads out over the open Atlantic from Newfoundland--or as it approaches the Newfie coast on the return.

This turbulence is usually serious enough to bounce around a 744 and light up the seat belt signs, but apparently not dangerous enough for the FAs to stop their service.

Is this spot always turbulent? Have others experienced the same thing? Is it ever truly severe, or do the Atlantic currents simply make this a consistently bumpy-but-not-dangerous spot?

Just wonderin'.