Mar 13, 2013, 9:31 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Wiki note about the forum’s several, active “Channel 9” threads.
Offering live ATC communications on UA flights on Chanel 9 of the audio entertainment system (“Channel 9”) is exclusive to United and offered at the Captain’s discretion. This forum has four prime, active threads about Channel 9. This note will guide you to the right thread for your post, or to where you would look for those channel 9 posts you’re interested in.
1) This thread, to discuss interesting things heard on Channel 9, such as interesting exchanges between pilots and controllers or asking about pilot-controller phraseology.
2) A thread – intended as a basic status thread only to list the specific channel 9-equipped flights offering or not offering Channel 9. The thumbs-up/down codes used in the thread are:
^ Channel 9 offered on this flight but no announcement made about it.
^^ Channel 9 offered and crew announced or promoted its availability.
: td : Channel 9 not offered on this flight.
Please postings to status reports of availability -- and use the thread below to discuss the general topic.
Channel 9 availability reports (no discussion)[Consoldidated]
3) A discussion thread to pursue issues about Channel 9 availability. (See the previous paragraph. if you merely wish to list the flights offering or not offering channel 9.)
Consolidated "Channel 9 Availability" Discussion Thread [Merged]
4) A thread to discuss United’s progress in converting legacy Continental aircraft to offer Channel 9.
Anyone get channel 9 on a reconfigured CO or PDE aircraft yet?
The following aircraft types have "From the Flight Deck" installed (commonly known as "Channel 9," as that's the location it is found on audio handset selectors):
sUA 777-200ERs
sCO 777-200ERs
sUA 777-300ERs
sUA 777-200As (high density, first class only)
sUA 767-300ERs
sCO 767-400ERs
sUA 757-200 (28J p.s.)
[sUA A320 and A319 aircraft have had it removed. It is not installed on any 737s, 787s, nor sCO 757-200s (16J p.s.) or sCO 757-300s.]
The Moderators may move misplaced posts to conform to these thread aims.
Archived posts in Consolidated "Channel 9 Availability" Discussion Thread [ARCHIVE]
Offering live ATC communications on UA flights on Chanel 9 of the audio entertainment system (“Channel 9”) is exclusive to United and offered at the Captain’s discretion. This forum has four prime, active threads about Channel 9. This note will guide you to the right thread for your post, or to where you would look for those channel 9 posts you’re interested in.
1) This thread, to discuss interesting things heard on Channel 9, such as interesting exchanges between pilots and controllers or asking about pilot-controller phraseology.
2) A thread – intended as a basic status thread only to list the specific channel 9-equipped flights offering or not offering Channel 9. The thumbs-up/down codes used in the thread are:
^ Channel 9 offered on this flight but no announcement made about it.
^^ Channel 9 offered and crew announced or promoted its availability.
: td : Channel 9 not offered on this flight.
Please postings to status reports of availability -- and use the thread below to discuss the general topic.
Channel 9 availability reports (no discussion)[Consoldidated]
3) A discussion thread to pursue issues about Channel 9 availability. (See the previous paragraph. if you merely wish to list the flights offering or not offering channel 9.)
Consolidated "Channel 9 Availability" Discussion Thread [Merged]
4) A thread to discuss United’s progress in converting legacy Continental aircraft to offer Channel 9.
Anyone get channel 9 on a reconfigured CO or PDE aircraft yet?
The following aircraft types have "From the Flight Deck" installed (commonly known as "Channel 9," as that's the location it is found on audio handset selectors):
sUA 777-200ERs
sCO 777-200ERs
sUA 777-300ERs
sUA 777-200As (high density, first class only)
sUA 767-300ERs
sCO 767-400ERs
sUA 757-200 (28J p.s.)
[sUA A320 and A319 aircraft have had it removed. It is not installed on any 737s, 787s, nor sCO 757-200s (16J p.s.) or sCO 757-300s.]
The Moderators may move misplaced posts to conform to these thread aims.
Archived posts in Consolidated "Channel 9 Availability" Discussion Thread [ARCHIVE]
The Consolidated "Interesting Things Heard on Channel 9" Thread [Merged]
Sep 11, 2007, 8:19 pm
#256
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco
Programs: All-Around Kettle
Posts: 3,291
Was taxing from the gate to the runway somewhere (ORD or IAD probably) and clearly heard the ground controller give us permission to cross another taxiway and continue on our current path. A couple minutes later we had reached the end of those instructions and a hold, and the co-pilot reported to ground where we were. Ground came back and said something to the effect that we were supposed to hold at the last intersection, that he never cleared us onto the taxiway we were on, and generally blustered and fumed. Co-pilot retorts back that she was sure that she heard the instructions correctly and that we were cleared past the previous hold point and instructed to continue on. Ground says that we must have been on a different frequency because HE never would have cleared us to go where we went.
Next voice is the pilot's, and he says that "all three of us here heard it, and we read it back to you, this is the only ground frequency we have been on." Ground says "well, you weren't talking to me, and you're screwed now anyway because the next taxiway has a width restriction, and your heavy is too wide."
I swear they went back and forth bickering like that for 3 or 4 minutes before captain finally said, "well, however we got here, we're here now, what do you want us to do?" Ground made us do a 180 and turn at the previous intersection.
The kicker? I know the FO was right... the ground controller screwed up. Oops!
Next voice is the pilot's, and he says that "all three of us here heard it, and we read it back to you, this is the only ground frequency we have been on." Ground says "well, you weren't talking to me, and you're screwed now anyway because the next taxiway has a width restriction, and your heavy is too wide."
I swear they went back and forth bickering like that for 3 or 4 minutes before captain finally said, "well, however we got here, we're here now, what do you want us to do?" Ground made us do a 180 and turn at the previous intersection.
The kicker? I know the FO was right... the ground controller screwed up. Oops!
(Before I get flamed, that was a joke. The truth is, there are controllers who have big egos and won't admit mistakes everywhere IME. 
) Not surprising the parties involved would be arguing about this, however. Being on the wrong taxiway is a big no no.
Sep 12, 2007, 11:57 am
#257
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SEA
Programs: Delta Plat, Hyatt Globalist, HIlton Diamond
Posts: 801
Sep 12, 2007, 12:17 pm
#258
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA
Programs: AS MVP 100K, UA PremEx-MM
Posts: 3,335
I overheard UA1444 PHX-DEN request "an autoland for currency" yesterday (obviously a Ted A320). Is this something which must be done periodically in order to maintain the aircraft or crew's credentials?
Sep 22, 2007, 12:53 pm
#259
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA 1k, SPG/Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,020
UA Pilot to OAK Tower: "Neigh...."
Had a great flight last night. Landing about 40 mins early and the pilots (and pax) clearly very pleased. As we came into the airport a Fed-ex freighter with horses on board behind us requested the tower to leave some space behind him as he was going to roll to the end of the runway for a gentle slow down on landing. Our pilot couldn't resist confirming no equine pax on board and then letting rip with a long Neiggh...no comment from the tower Got to love Channel 9
Got to love Channel 9
Last edited by aussieinsf; Sep 23, 2007 at 12:26 pm
Sep 22, 2007, 12:57 pm
#260
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 886
I think I was the only one listening to Channel 9 yesterday; I was the only one who laughed when we were on the NYC Center frequency and a pilot asked for a Yankees score.
I'm also still waiting for a flight where the captain is actually standing there to greet pax as they're getting off the plane so I can thank him for turning on Channel 9...
I'm also still waiting for a flight where the captain is actually standing there to greet pax as they're getting off the plane so I can thank him for turning on Channel 9...
Sep 22, 2007, 1:41 pm
#261
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,146
These sorts of things which really make listening to Channel 9 worthwhile... and unique to UA.
I missed it on my flight last week--on the DCA-ORD leg, the pilot apologized before takeoff that it was broken, and that since it wasn't a flight safety issue, maintenance hadn't put it atop their priority for fixing.
Then, the ORD-SFO leg had XM on Ch9, and though the FAs said they passed on the request to the cockpit to switch it to ATC, it didn't happen.
I missed it on my flight last week--on the DCA-ORD leg, the pilot apologized before takeoff that it was broken, and that since it wasn't a flight safety issue, maintenance hadn't put it atop their priority for fixing.
Then, the ORD-SFO leg had XM on Ch9, and though the FAs said they passed on the request to the cockpit to switch it to ATC, it didn't happen.
Sep 22, 2007, 1:42 pm
#262
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: Deciding Which Airline to Fly in 2012
Posts: 420
Sep 22, 2007, 1:51 pm
#263
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,471
Mods mind merging this into "Heard on Ch9..." thread? It definintely qualifies
Sep 22, 2007, 2:28 pm
#264
Moderator, Hertz; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRK
Programs: UA 1MM, BA GGL, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond and others
Posts: 12,691
Nice 
Sep 22, 2007, 5:30 pm
#265
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SFO-OAK-SJC
Programs: UA MM/1K; Marriott Au; Hyatt Dsc
Posts: 443
FTers who enjoy Ch 9 (as I do) may want to refrain from including flight identifying information in posts such as these. In a strict sense, the abovementioned "ATC comm" is not within the scope of permitted uses. The easiest way to make Ch 9 go away is to make UA captains fear that they will be ratted out by a pax. Remember, Ch 9 is at the sole discretion of the captain.
Sep 22, 2007, 6:01 pm
#266
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,648
I was in Denver a few weeks back when a t-storm was at the edge of the airport (we had to thread our way through just to land). Of course all the permissions to take off got changed and the poor computer seemed to be struggling with the overload. So on channel 9 one pilot after another kept asking about the new flight plan only to be sternly rebuffed by the tower. When they finally started reading them back I didn't hear a single pilot get it right sometimes it took several attempts to read back. I thought it was awfully funny even though it was delaying my departure.
Sep 22, 2007, 6:15 pm
#267
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SAN
Programs: UA MM Gold
Posts: 1,193
I was in Denver a few weeks back when a t-storm was at the edge of the airport (we had to thread our way through just to land). .... So on channel 9 one pilot after another kept asking about the new flight plan only to be sternly rebuffed by the tower. When they finally started reading them back I didn't hear a single pilot get it right sometimes it took several attempts to read back. I thought it was awfully funny even though it was delaying my departure.
Sep 22, 2007, 6:24 pm
#268
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,648
As a pilot, I can confirm that it's much easier to copy a clearance that is the one you filed and expected rather than a change. FYI, they were not rebuffed by the "tower" but rather "ground control" or at a larger airport "clearance delivery" which is a separate freq set aside specifically for shooting out clearances.....
Sep 22, 2007, 6:36 pm
#269
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 17,769
^ to the FedEx captain caring for the horses! ^
Sep 22, 2007, 7:01 pm
#270
Join Date: Sep 2002
Programs: The opinions expressed here are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the airlines I worked for.
Posts: 1,894
Clearly I've been around too long because I'm still waiting for the FlyerTalker who complains on this thread about this being some sort of lack of professionalism, followed by another post wondering "how much compensation" they will get