would you as a pilot divide from your clearance?
We must if we are above a breathable altitude.
When would turn on 77? When would you alert me?
Honestly, that would be the first thing I would do...after being well established in the descent.
Quoting Denti (my respects to you sir, btw
)
Most pilots still work according to the old rule aviate -> navigate -> communicate
Pretty much. A briefed and rushed example of what we are supposed to do in such a case (depress.) is don our masks, ask the F/A if they see any structural damage and then do the specific procedure which itself can take some 10 or 15 seconds (in my experience at least, DHC-8). So don't expect the crew to inform you they are declaring an emergency just as they descend from their level. And please oh please do not call the crew every 5 seconds if they haven't called you; if they are still conscious they will call you when everything is sorted out in there. We will remember that we have to talk to you guys too