Do UAL allow pax to listen to the audio (re channel9) during take off and landing? Every flight I have been on, having earphones on during these periods is a big no no.
As has already been mentioned, priority for the pilots is to fly the plane whilst making the correct decisions under immense pressure, when they know their life is in serious s&!t. I think anyone who has not been in that situation should not criticise this crew, or any other who miss a couple of things (and nothing to say yet that the US air crew did...) I believe the pilots of the BA 777 last year did not get a PA out before the impact short of the runway, and no wonder, they had their priorities right, just unfortunate for the pax!