Pre-Flight Engine Fire Warning?
 

As I was passing the cockpit while boarding my flight on a MD-88 on Friday I heard something new. The cockpit door was wide open and the airplane spit out two very audible automated warnings: "Fire- engine 1. Fire- engine 2."

I'm a very laid back traveler (and fortunately the person next to me was as well), so I figured this was just some sort of system test (or brilliant April fools joke), but I could imagine some travelers would be very spooked. Has anyone ever encountered this before or know why the warnings were triggered?

normal annuciator checks as part of the preflight

I guess it's safe to say that, the pilots would be concerned if they did their safety checks and these alarms DIDN'T SOUND! :)

Standard checks during pre-flight.

What could be more of a concern to an inexperienced travel is hearing some of the louder "warnings" (such as the "Autopilot Disconnect") during flight, which is quite audible if you're up in FC on some aircraft.

And of course you might even hear the "RETARD! RETARD! RETARD!" on the Airbus. ;)

I'm pretty sure I've heard "TERRAIN! TERRAIN!" :eek:

Next time you hear that I'd be calling 866-835-5322. Let's just say these people are a little more attentive than DL.

Being involved in flight test, I've heard quite a few of the Warnings and Cautions. :D (Usually because we're purposely putting the aircraft in a situation that is going to trigger the alarms - Usually ;) ).

The most unnerving though wasn't an audible warning - it was when I saw flares dispense out of the Blackhawk I was in while over Kabul. :eek: I later asked one of the aircrew who said it happens quite frequently and that many things in urban areas from welding (which there was a lot of going on in Kabul) to even the sun reflecting just right off a metal surface could trigger the counter-measures system into think there's been a missile launch and will jettison flares. Better safe than sorry I guess. :p