Ladies & Gentlemen, we are # on this runway.
Jul 1, 2016, 5:28 am
#1
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Ladies & Gentlemen, we are # on this runway.
Hey everyone,
Last month I had a couple UX flights where this announcement was made by the captain. Anyone else experienced it? I find it very informative.
Last month I had a couple UX flights where this announcement was made by the captain. Anyone else experienced it? I find it very informative.
Jul 1, 2016, 6:54 am
#4
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I would say this only happens when delays are involved. I remember a p.s. flight out of JFK a couple of years ago where we knew we were going to be delayed by at least 90 minutes and instead of waiting at the gate we joined the line of 30+ aircraft waiting to take off in the early evening rush after a storm. Pilot mentioned that we were #30 something in the line.
Jul 1, 2016, 7:15 am
#5
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I've heard it fairly often at ORD, where takeoff lines can be long sometimes.
But in general, I'm in favor for as much information from the cockpit as they care to give. I always liked channel 9 too, but haven't had it on a flight in a long time.
But in general, I'm in favor for as much information from the cockpit as they care to give. I always liked channel 9 too, but haven't had it on a flight in a long time.
Jul 1, 2016, 7:24 am
#6
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I would say this only happens when delays are involved. I remember a p.s. flight out of JFK a couple of years ago where we knew we were going to be delayed by at least 90 minutes and instead of waiting at the gate we joined the line of 30+ aircraft waiting to take off in the early evening rush after a storm. Pilot mentioned that we were #30 something in the line.
Jul 1, 2016, 8:00 am
#9
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Hear this I would say on most flights - everything from we're #1 or #2 for take off to my record, on AC, where we were # 48 (I think, 40-something, anyway) at EWR for the 9pm to YYZ - that took probably close to an hour and a half. I don't think there were even big issues - just some wind or something in he afternoon/evening so things piled up - combined with being evening and behind all the heavys going TATL. Luckily, at least, AC has gate-to-gate entertainment to help pass the time.
I don't think it's necessarily a bad sign - I haven't counted, but I'd guess about 50 - 75% of the time I hear it on my flights, it's #1 - #3 to for take off. And I think it's nice info. to have as well.
I don't think it's necessarily a bad sign - I haven't counted, but I'd guess about 50 - 75% of the time I hear it on my flights, it's #1 - #3 to for take off. And I think it's nice info. to have as well.
Jul 1, 2016, 8:02 am
#10
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I hear "we're number 'x' for takeoff" now and then.
Hearing "we're number 3 on the runway" would make me slightly worried since lining up multiple aircraft on the actual runway may not be a great idea. What if an arriving aircraft has to make an emergency landing and there are five aircraft on the runway?
Hearing "we're number 3 on the runway" would make me slightly worried since lining up multiple aircraft on the actual runway may not be a great idea. What if an arriving aircraft has to make an emergency landing and there are five aircraft on the runway?
Jul 1, 2016, 8:20 am
#11
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I hear it quite frequently, even if it's just "we're #1 for takeoff". What's rare is for there to be a line and for the plane I'm on to cut it! Happened to me at least once (possibly at PHX) where there were 8-10 planes in the queue and my flight just went around them on a different taxiway and straight to the runway.
Jul 1, 2016, 8:55 am
#12
Join Date: Dec 2009
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I hear "we're number 'x' for takeoff" now and then.
Hearing "we're number 3 on the runway" would make me slightly worried since lining up multiple aircraft on the actual runway may not be a great idea. What if an arriving aircraft has to make an emergency landing and there are five aircraft on the runway?
Hearing "we're number 3 on the runway" would make me slightly worried since lining up multiple aircraft on the actual runway may not be a great idea. What if an arriving aircraft has to make an emergency landing and there are five aircraft on the runway?
As much as anything the announcement is to give the flight attendants a general idea of when they need to be seated. "We're next for departure" versus "we're number three for the runway" gives them an extra minute or two to prepare.
Jul 1, 2016, 8:56 am
#13
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Jul 1, 2016, 8:59 am
#14
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Once we were "number 30-something in line to push". SFO had just lost 1R/L due to wind and it took an hour to clear the lines 
Jul 1, 2016, 9:01 am
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