Pilots pointing out landmarks below: Love it or hate it?
Jan 14, 2010, 1:14 pm
#16
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
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I like it because i'm sure that we as passengers would not normally be looking out our window the whole flight and would love the opportunity to see a famous or interesting landmark from 30,000 feet. Im sure one woulod get quite the different perspective:0)
Jan 14, 2010, 1:40 pm
#17
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: DTW
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I must fly boring places since I don't normally hear announcements like this, other than the approach to LAS. I do like to take my GPS along so I know what is out the window no matter where we are. I hope that the current state of paranoia does not end up in a ban on GPS in flight.
Jan 14, 2010, 1:50 pm
#18
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Love it! ^
As often as I fly the SEA-PHX run, I'm always glad when the pilot announces a Rainer or Grand Canyon view coming up. I don't necessarily want to spend all my time watching and waiting, but they are views I always enjoy.
And for places I'm not familiar with, it's great to have someone point out something to see.
As often as I fly the SEA-PHX run, I'm always glad when the pilot announces a Rainer or Grand Canyon view coming up. I don't necessarily want to spend all my time watching and waiting, but they are views I always enjoy.
And for places I'm not familiar with, it's great to have someone point out something to see.
Jan 14, 2010, 2:08 pm
#19
Join Date: Jul 2009
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Jan 14, 2010, 2:22 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Lot et Garonne, France
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Another +1.
It doesn't seem to happen often nowadays, although I remember a recent TATL when pilot pointed out a massive iceberg with (almost visible?) polar bears on it.
Most memorable experience was back in 1985 or so, when BA captain on take- off from Mauritius announced it was his final flight pre-retirement and said something along the lines of:: "I know it's against all rules, but I am going to show you what this 747 can do".
He then did a full circle of the island at ultra low altitude, with wingtips seemingly almost touching the ocean all the while. Everyone was entranced, including all flight crew. We could see sharks circling, smaller fish, the coral etc.
Fantastic...
It doesn't seem to happen often nowadays, although I remember a recent TATL when pilot pointed out a massive iceberg with (almost visible?) polar bears on it.
Most memorable experience was back in 1985 or so, when BA captain on take- off from Mauritius announced it was his final flight pre-retirement and said something along the lines of:: "I know it's against all rules, but I am going to show you what this 747 can do".
He then did a full circle of the island at ultra low altitude, with wingtips seemingly almost touching the ocean all the while. Everyone was entranced, including all flight crew. We could see sharks circling, smaller fish, the coral etc.
Fantastic...
Jan 14, 2010, 3:38 pm
#23
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Scotland
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 125
Loved them, fandabiedozie! (You have to be Scottish/British and of a certain age to understand that) I suppose the IFE map display arguably now negates the need for announcements from the flightdeck. I hate flights where the captain makes a brief announcement just before or just after take off concluding with I'll update you just before landing. . . fourteen hours later.
Jan 14, 2010, 7:01 pm
#24
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: MSP
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Posts: 906
I like it - even if it is just telling us we are passing over Redwood Falls ATC on our way into MSP. It is nice to have a general idea of where you are and especiallly nice if it is an interesting view.
Cheers,
Pogopossum
Cheers,
Pogopossum
Jan 14, 2010, 7:58 pm
#26
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Landmarks or Events
I remember a flight a while back where the pilot briefed us following takeoff from DTW. He mentioned that since it was such a nice day, on the trip to LAX, we would probably have nice scenery. As we approached the mountains, he came back on and identified some by name even mentioning historic events that took place on or around them.
Similarly, a few years back, we were waiting on the tarmac for takeoff. Some military birds (fighters and transport) were coming in enroute to an airshow. The pilot provided us commentary and was able to identify which squardrons they were from; it really surprised me when he got the Canadian squadrons correct! Loved it.
Similarly, a few years back, we were waiting on the tarmac for takeoff. Some military birds (fighters and transport) were coming in enroute to an airshow. The pilot provided us commentary and was able to identify which squardrons they were from; it really surprised me when he got the Canadian squadrons correct! Loved it.
Jan 14, 2010, 8:57 pm
#28
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Washington, DC (DCA)
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Yup, I love the announcements. I like looking out the window but not for 5 hours straight. Thanks to the announcements I've seen things like the big meteor crater in Arizona, the Mississippi River, and Yosemite National Park.
I know what to look for when flying into DCA but for first time visitors I appreciate it when the captain announces you will see great views of DC when landing on runway 19.
I know what to look for when flying into DCA but for first time visitors I appreciate it when the captain announces you will see great views of DC when landing on runway 19.
Jan 14, 2010, 11:37 pm
#29
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Depends on my mood and what I'm doing. If it's a day flight and I'm listening to my MP3 player and reading the paper, I don't mind. If it's a night flight, or I'm using the IFE, I get annoyed/impaitent pretty quickly.
A number of years ago, I was flying on the AS SEA-BOS redeye. The pilot woke me and several others up to say "and on the right side of the aircraft, you can see Grand Rapids, Michigan!" It struck me as a strange city to point out from 37,000 feet at 3 AM local time.
A number of years ago, I was flying on the AS SEA-BOS redeye. The pilot woke me and several others up to say "and on the right side of the aircraft, you can see Grand Rapids, Michigan!" It struck me as a strange city to point out from 37,000 feet at 3 AM local time.
Jan 15, 2010, 12:12 am
#30
Join Date: Mar 2009
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I don't mind pilots pointing out the landmarks at all, even though I'm an aisle seat girl and it always disrupts the IFE.