Do you prefer when a pilot gives you lots of information about your flight or do you prefer when they keep quiet? Or do you prefer some other happy medium? Last week, I had a strange experience on an Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle to San Diego and want to see what you all think. The flight time is about 2.5 to 3 hours, and during the whole flight the pilot said NOTHING. Not one word!
I didn’t even realize the pilot hadn’t said anything until my travel companion said, “I really don’t like it when pilots don’t explain or apologize when a flight is delayed.” Then it struck me, the pilot, he or maybe she, hadn’t said a word.
The flight did take off almost 30 minutes late. Nothing about that from the pilot, or the weather, or about seat belt signs, or about landing or temperature upon arrival. Nothing even about all the gorgeous scenery as we flew over snow covered mountains. No Happy New Year and thanks for flying Alaska. Not a word. We did hear from a flight attendant on occasion about the Alaska Airlines Credit Card and using the appropriate bathroom for your class of service!
As we left the plane in San Diego, I didn’t see any pilots and tried to peek into the cockpit, but couldn’t see anything. When we got off the plane, I noticed the pilots for the next flight waiting by the desk. I approached them and jokingly asked them if they were pilots flying our inbound flight or maybe it was a robotic flown plane. I told them our pilot hadn’t said anything to us during our flight.
They started telling me that for every person who complains that pilots don’t say anything, there are people who complain and tell the pilots to please shut up. I don’t think he was taking my comment seriously and just wanted me to keep walking, so that’s what I did.
I thought about it and even after the zillions of flights I’ve flown, I can’t recall ever wanting a pilot to “shut up.” I’d like to think I have the “normal” expectations of pilot communications during my flights! I’m curious! Am I off-base here? Would you think it was strange if your pilot said nothing during the whole flight? Have you ever wished a pilot would “shut up?” Please share your opinion here.
It depends….announcements about delays are ALWAYS welcome. On International flights the less said the better because you then have to wait for ALL the different translated announcements to be made before you can get back to the IFE…
I agree, Conway, both on the delays being announced and the interruptions on IFE :)
chatty pilots give me more confidence in flying on his/her plane. I especially like it when the pilot tells you his/her whole flight plan. This shows his/her compassion in flying!
Thanks for your comment, Alan. Usually Alaskan Air pilots point out all the magnificent scenery, which at this time of year with all the snow we’ve had, would have been appreciated.
Some of them are actually quite funny. I mean, I can’t understand who would care if the pilot tells you the weather.
HI, Mo. I like knowing the weather of the location I’m flying into, as well. Now that you remind me, seems to me I haven’t had any funny announcements in a while :(
Just got the kiddo to sleep, oh so happy…..
BING THIS IS THE CAPTAIN WE ARE BLAH BLAH AND PLEASE GET OUR CREDIT CARD BLAH BLAH AND DON’T FORGET BLAHB A+BHAKHDJFDLDLF!!!!
Ok great, thanks. Calmed down again, let’s go baaack to sleep
BING BLAH BLAH some more
Fly the damn plane already this isn’t the 1960’s when everyone was oh-so-excited at the miracle of jetliners.
Thanks for your comment, Vincent. I can see why you want it on the quiet side! Would be a good idea for pilots to walk through the plane before take-off and see who’s flying. Lots of kids that flight……keep it on the quiet side, for sure.
If you have a young kid using IFE, a talkative pilot is a nightmare. A toddler doesn’t understand why some person he can’t see keeps interrupting his show.
Even worse is the pilot that keeps making tag on announcements so their show stops, starts, stops, starts…
This is a great point, Bill. Never thought of this. Thanks for sharing your viewpoint!
I like to know the basics. I need info if delayed and someone who isn’t afraid to be honest on delays. I like a basic update in flight about time or arrival but I hate when the crew gets on the PA and drones on and on. Half the time you can’t hear what they are saying as well.
HI, Dan. I agree. We were delayed and not a word about why. I also like to know the basics. Let’s hope Alaskan pilots are reading Travel With Grant :)
This question reminds me of a 30 Rock episode. :)) Liz’s b/f (Matt Damon’s character) invokes “Sky Law”.
Personally, I like a little info. I like to know our cruising altitude, I like to know if we have a tailwind. I like to know what air strip we’re taking-off or landing-on (we usually only get the former -but that’s the Private Pilot in me, curious about winds, et). Quick fact: Did you know airplanes typically take-off and land into a headwind? (Headwinds and crosswinds provide or increase your relative air speed). Some crosswinds are very strong for certain aircrafts, sometimes too strong for lighter planes -so if you’re landing at a regional/smaller airport and there’s an atypical, directional crosswind, you might be in for a bumpy landing.
I don’t mind turbulence whatsoever, but a forseeable turbulence heads-up is nice in case you were thinking of using the bathroom. Some pilots say too damn much, and seemingly love to hear themselves talk… so I vote for the Happy Medium, give us the facts, maybe note a place of interest while en route (maybe not)… but like most have already noted, pilots shouldn’t overdo it. However, I know it gets boring in the cockpit after take-off and before preparing for landing -so I guess some pilots can’t help themselves. :))
Maybe the pilot on this route didn’t say anything bc he/she was drunk? jk :))
I’ll have to go back and watch that 30 Rock episode! I did not know that about headwinds. I have had a few landing attempts where the pilot almost landed and then we went up again for another try at landing. Quite something when that happens.
Good to have a pilot commenting on this :) Happy Medium is a good way to put it. It was a bit freaky not to hear anything at all!
Just a private pilot (never flown “heavies”) -single props only, mostly Cessna 172’s. If any of you are inclined to get your pilot’s license I can’t encourage it enough. To look out the front window of an airplane is quite the view -shooting landings is a blast (yes, even the heavies “crab” into a landing on final -not so much passenger planes, but UPS and FedEx guys will do it for kicks).
You mentioned “go arounds” , which have become more common as they are deemed the safest alternative (when possible) if something isn’t quite right when landing (and they’re often caused by strong crosswinds and wind gusts). Many of you might be interested in Youtube clips of rough landings… Google “747 short landing strip” or “rough landing” for some neat clips… all kinds of cool aviation clips on Youtube.
Lastly, Season 5, ep 14 “Double Edged Sword”, is a funny one (not quite on topic, but lots of chatter over the intercom to passengers via Damon). Good stuff. Thanks for the post!