Pre flight announcement by the captain
Oct 14, 2018, 5:44 am
#31
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
Oct 14, 2018, 5:44 am
#32
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: London
Programs: Sir Ratechaser Seigneur de la Patience d'un Saint (Mucci), BA Silver, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 2,563
...then the BoB trolley came round and normal service was resumed.
Oct 14, 2018, 8:18 am
#33
Join Date: May 2016
Location: UK
Programs: British Airways Executive Club Gold, Global Entry
Posts: 363
Yes. There are scenarios in the flight deck when non-essential actions are restricted. Occasionally a system may need constant monitoring or one of the pilots may have started feeling unwell for instance.
Oct 14, 2018, 11:37 am
#34
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 1,406
Ba921 str-lhr
We've just had the captain do a tannoy announcement from the galley phone because the baggage handler ripped his wing mirror off on the engine.... Taking quite a long time so he's now going down the cabin and speaking to people. Apparently he found the mirror under the engine while doing his walkaround! I suppose he then went looking for a truck that was missing one, somewhat incontrovertible evidence in hand... Lufty engineering now assisting (I am flying from Stuttgart). It was a nice and reassuring touch as all the passengers could see the engine being looked at from the gate.
Last edited by snuffi; Oct 14, 2018 at 11:45 am
Oct 15, 2018, 2:12 am
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,146
from my recent MLA TR ...
The First Officer was on good form, as he apologised for the slightly late departure “… caused by the late arrival of the inbound aircraft. I don’t know why, and I’m not going to insult your intelligence by making something up.”
Later on he apologised for “… not speaking to you earlier, as we were busy negotiating with ATC.”
Later on he apologised for “… not speaking to you earlier, as we were busy negotiating with ATC.”
Oct 15, 2018, 2:56 am
#37
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Brexile in ADB
Programs: BA, TK, HHonours, Le Club, Best Western Rewards
Posts: 7,067
Many people think that there is a conspiracy whenever something goes wrong. I've had a passenger tell me that there was nothing wrong with the aircraft when we had a bird strike - you cannot please all the people all the time. Some like what you do, others think it gimicky.
May 10, 2019, 1:11 am
#38
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Plymouth, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,159
Earlier this year I was on a AA flight (BA codeshare) LHR - JFK. There was an announcement from the flight deck (not sure if captain or 1st officer) that was almost a full stand-up comedy routine. For example, one of his lines was to ask that everyone keep there arms and legs inside the aircraft at all times! A real joker. If this is done well then I am happy with it as a passenger but if not it can be cringe-worthy.
May 10, 2019, 1:34 am
#39
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
My MAD-HAV sector earlier this year was slightly delayed in departing, and the IB Captain wandered through the J cabin to speak to a number of pax .... seemingly at random .... although a couple of them he appeared to know. He said a very quick hello / apology to me, but not to my friend who was just in front of me (we were both in window seats). I asked him would he please have a few words with her as she had never flown with IB before and would appreciate the welcome .... and he happily did exactly that.
May 10, 2019, 7:21 am
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci, BA, AF
Posts: 10,129
And multiple times on IB I've had some extremely detailed announcements from the flight deck - including takeoff weight, runway, exact routing, landmarks pointed out, and in the case of the A350 last summer proudly introducing the brand new aircraft.
Can't think of a flight with no announcements from the front, though to be fair most announcements tend to come after take off or mid-flight in case of shorthaul. Any on-ground delays have always had an explanation from the flight deck IME.
Can't think of a flight with no announcements from the front, though to be fair most announcements tend to come after take off or mid-flight in case of shorthaul. Any on-ground delays have always had an explanation from the flight deck IME.
May 10, 2019, 7:33 am
#41
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 59
I recall a similar experience ex LHR I think to NCL last September.. wonder if it was the same chap.. was quite mature very youthful.. early 50's I'd say.. quite handsome and clearly very experienced/relaxed pilot. I remember being very impressed and there was a great rapport between him and the cabin crew.
May 10, 2019, 7:35 am
#42
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London, ARN, HEL, ..... or MAN
Programs: BA GGL / GFL, Mucci Diamond!, HH Diamond, Radisson Premium, IHG Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 5,900
Had three announcements from the front over the years, plus one visit from the Captain in the cabin when flying to MCT in F
- First announcement was about how cold it was going to be in Moscow one January - the Captain appeared at the front of the (then CE) cabin in the 767 and basically said it was going to be brass monkeys and we should put our coats and gloves on before de-planing at the other end. Ended up with lots of animated conversations in the cabin between pax who, until then, had sat in classic business-people silence waiting for departure
- Second announcement was about a tech delay on an A320 - he defused the frustrated atmosphere really well and talked to any passengers who wanted to talk to him
- Third was recently when my flight to MAN was delayed, delayed, delayed then cancelled due to snow at MAN - again really honest and made himself available for questions
And finally, once the captain came into the F cabin to say hello to Mrs TT1F when we were on our way to Muscat. To this day she has no idea why he came to speak to her
- First announcement was about how cold it was going to be in Moscow one January - the Captain appeared at the front of the (then CE) cabin in the 767 and basically said it was going to be brass monkeys and we should put our coats and gloves on before de-planing at the other end. Ended up with lots of animated conversations in the cabin between pax who, until then, had sat in classic business-people silence waiting for departure
- Second announcement was about a tech delay on an A320 - he defused the frustrated atmosphere really well and talked to any passengers who wanted to talk to him
- Third was recently when my flight to MAN was delayed, delayed, delayed then cancelled due to snow at MAN - again really honest and made himself available for questions
And finally, once the captain came into the F cabin to say hello to Mrs TT1F when we were on our way to Muscat. To this day she has no idea why he came to speak to her
May 10, 2019, 10:20 am
#43
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 12
I too find the IB announcements very informative, often with a detailed description of weather, what we’ll be passing, etc. They also always seem very transparent about reasons for delays. However I do find they often give more detail in the spanish announcement than the english one so perhaps that accounts for some differing perceptions.
May 10, 2019, 1:11 pm
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci, BA, AF
Posts: 10,129
