Our ops manual dictates I WILL speak to you before departure. it is a safety issue. Apparently all pax will listen to me and will recognise my voice should I order an evacuation.
Our ops manual also states I MAY talk to you at any point during the flight (but not during climb or descent unless absolutely essential). No matter how anxious you are about knowing the expected arrival time or the temperature at your destination, non of this is a safety issue and for me flying the aeroplane has the higher priority. Aviate, Navigate, Communicate.
If we get told to descent 50 miles before we were planning to, that little window I had for a PA is gone. A shame, but not a safety issue.
Did you have a safe flight, ACARS?