Consolidated "Channel 9 Availability" Discussion Thread [Merged]
Feb 6, 2018, 8:51 am
#76
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: Does Non Rev count?
Posts: 588
In the past, I have had PAXs actually criticize our interaction with ATC, and often times the CA will not turn on channel 9 for that reason. One time in particular, going into SFO, we had a passenger actually argue with us over the decision to accept an approach he felt we should not have accepted, for various reasons. Mind you, he was not an ATP or type rated for the Boeing, but marched into the flightdeck after the flight, and proceeded to criticize the last 40 minutes of our flight. It was downright bizarre. Making it even more ironic, it was during a line check, and the line check airman and he got into a pretty heated argument. People are very strange sometimes...
Feb 6, 2018, 9:23 am
#77
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco
Programs: All-Around Kettle
Posts: 3,289
In the past, I have had PAXs actually criticize our interaction with ATC, and often times the CA will not turn on channel 9 for that reason. One time in particular, going into SFO, we had a passenger actually argue with us over the decision to accept an approach he felt we should not have accepted, for various reasons. Mind you, he was not an ATP or type rated for the Boeing, but marched into the flightdeck after the flight, and proceeded to criticize the last 40 minutes of our flight. It was downright bizarre. Making it even more ironic, it was during a line check, and the line check airman and he got into a pretty heated argument. People are very strange sometimes...
Feb 6, 2018, 9:53 am
#78
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: KEWR
Programs: Marriott Platinum
Posts: 794
In the past, I have had PAXs actually criticize our interaction with ATC, and often times the CA will not turn on channel 9 for that reason. One time in particular, going into SFO, we had a passenger actually argue with us over the decision to accept an approach he felt we should not have accepted, for various reasons. Mind you, he was not an ATP or type rated for the Boeing, but marched into the flightdeck after the flight, and proceeded to criticize the last 40 minutes of our flight. It was downright bizarre. Making it even more ironic, it was during a line check, and the line check airman and he got into a pretty heated argument. People are very strange sometimes...
I'll reluctantly turn Channel 9 on if someone asks, but it usually stays off.
Feb 12, 2018, 9:09 am
#79
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
Asking FA’s to relay my request seems like an exercise in futility. On a 763 right now and asked my FA if they could ask the pilot to turn it on, FA came back saying he asked his lead attendant and they said it’s not available on this plane...I’m staring at the screen right now that says to turn into the channel. All I can do is smile and say thanks for trying.
edit: the lead FA came back to me an apologized for the misunderstanding and said that this plane does indeed have it and the pilot would turn it on. For that, I will make sure to leave a good word for the crew.
edit: the lead FA came back to me an apologized for the misunderstanding and said that this plane does indeed have it and the pilot would turn it on. For that, I will make sure to leave a good word for the crew.
Feb 13, 2018, 10:20 pm
#80
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SLC
Programs: UA 1K, Hertz PC, Avis PC, Hilton Diamond, BW Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 212
Asking FA’s to relay my request seems like an exercise in futility. On a 763 right now and asked my FA if they could ask the pilot to turn it on, FA came back saying he asked his lead attendant and they said it’s not available on this plane...I’m staring at the screen right now that says to turn into the channel. All I can do is smile and say thanks for trying.
edit: the lead FA came back to me an apologized for the misunderstanding and said that this plane does indeed have it and the pilot would turn it on. For that, I will make sure to leave a good word for the crew.
edit: the lead FA came back to me an apologized for the misunderstanding and said that this plane does indeed have it and the pilot would turn it on. For that, I will make sure to leave a good word for the crew.
Feb 14, 2018, 7:37 am
#81
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
Actually...they said they would turn it on for me but it didn't get turned on at all. And I didn't want to be "that guy" so didn't followup.
Mar 2, 2018, 8:11 pm
#82
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
It's likely that the enabling switch was on, but the #1VHF radio at the left jumpseater's position was not faded up. Both must happen to allow passengers to hear ATC. The fact that it happened twice on the same aircraft months apart is just a coincidence.
Mar 2, 2018, 11:30 pm
#83
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
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Posts: 66,852
Beleive the 16-seat lie flat 752 version does not have CH9 . But the 28 seat lie-flat 752 does.
Mar 3, 2018, 7:33 am
#84
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
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Posts: 4,392
Mar 3, 2018, 10:03 am
#85
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SJC / DPS
Programs: AS G75K, UA Silver
Posts: 1,757
Mar 3, 2018, 10:35 am
#86
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
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Mar 8, 2018, 7:37 am
#87
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chicago: ORD, MDW
Programs: United Million Mile Flyer, Hilton Silver, Marriott Gold, DL, AA WN
Posts: 514
It has been such a long time since I was on a Channel 9 equipped plane that I have almost forgotten that this still even exists.
There was a time that listening to Channel 9 was the only entertainment I did on a plane. Oh, how I wish...
There was a time that listening to Channel 9 was the only entertainment I did on a plane. Oh, how I wish...
Mar 8, 2018, 11:23 am
#88
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 47
Just had channel 9 available on my SFO-AKL flight. Captain announced they have it on the whole flight, but let everyone know due to most of the flight being over water only the first 30 and last 30 of the flight would have any actual audio. I appreciated him letting us know it was available versus having to go and search.
Mar 8, 2018, 8:59 pm
#89
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K MM, HHonors Diamond,PC, Marriott Rewards Gold
Posts: 1,117
In the past, I have had PAXs actually criticize our interaction with ATC, and often times the CA will not turn on channel 9 for that reason. One time in particular, going into SFO, we had a passenger actually argue with us over the decision to accept an approach he felt we should not have accepted, for various reasons. Mind you, he was not an ATP or type rated for the Boeing, but marched into the flightdeck after the flight, and proceeded to criticize the last 40 minutes of our flight. It was downright bizarre. Making it even more ironic, it was during a line check, and the line check airman and he got into a pretty heated argument. People are very strange sometimes...
Mar 12, 2018, 6:28 pm
#90
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: PDX
Programs: DL Plat, UA Plat 1MM, AS MVP, Hyatt Discoverist, Avis Presidents Club, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 3,938
I just came here to say... I miss Ch 9. All I fly are 737s these days and I have no idea what is happening from the cockpit.