Why are there so little cockpit announcements?
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Thanks for that Pilots of the Caribbean.
I did, of course, explain that this would be a busy time for the crew and that the passengers - even nervous ones - might prefer them to be attending to the important task of flying safely. Personally, I would prefer them to be doing that too, but a reassuring message when they get a moment would be good.
I do understand the need to concentrate - even flying my baby aeroplane, I often tell pax there will be no conversation during critical phases of the flight.
I'm not convinced that there is an excuse for absolutely no message about such an event after landing or when taxying onto the stand - or even as passengers are leaving the plane. That was what happened to my colleague, no mention of what had happened at all. Just the usual - formalised - cabin crew announcements "Welcome to LHR ..." - no acknowledgement that anything out of the ordinary had happened. As you say, it is normal but not common.
However, if that really cannot be done, I'm happy to be understanding about it. I've never flown into Innsbruck, but I've stayed there near the airport. Wouldn't fancy a missed approach (or even a normal one
) there myself.
To give an example, I was recently on a BA connect flight out of EDI to SOU - on an EMB 145. After pushback, the flight crew made several attempts at starting the engines, then announced there was a problem and that we were going back onto the stand to 're-boot' the aircraft systems. Fine. After the complete shutdown and re-start, they started the engines, we then pushed back, taxied and took off. There was no message from the flight deck to say everything was sorted. In fact, nothing from the flight deck at all, right up until we disembarked at SOU. Personally, whilst I know it could be assumed from the fact we departed, I would just have liked a brief message to say "everything now ok, we're going". It would have taken seconds. Instead, I was surrounded by people who looked slightly apprehensive to say the least and I too did not feel entirely comfortable - a feeling partially confirmed on arrival at SOU when an engineer jumped on before all pax had disembarked!
Safety and flying the aircraft is, of course, always the first priority. However, most flight crews doing the job every day don't realise that those little failures in communication with pax can put someone off flying for life. That can be a lot of lost revenue and, ultimately, contribute the financial failure of an airline and/or the loss of jobs.
It sounds like you have a lot of experience to offer. I hope you will continue to contribute to this thread.
HH
I did, of course, explain that this would be a busy time for the crew and that the passengers - even nervous ones - might prefer them to be attending to the important task of flying safely. Personally, I would prefer them to be doing that too, but a reassuring message when they get a moment would be good.
I do understand the need to concentrate - even flying my baby aeroplane, I often tell pax there will be no conversation during critical phases of the flight.
I'm not convinced that there is an excuse for absolutely no message about such an event after landing or when taxying onto the stand - or even as passengers are leaving the plane. That was what happened to my colleague, no mention of what had happened at all. Just the usual - formalised - cabin crew announcements "Welcome to LHR ..." - no acknowledgement that anything out of the ordinary had happened. As you say, it is normal but not common.
However, if that really cannot be done, I'm happy to be understanding about it. I've never flown into Innsbruck, but I've stayed there near the airport. Wouldn't fancy a missed approach (or even a normal one
) there myself.To give an example, I was recently on a BA connect flight out of EDI to SOU - on an EMB 145. After pushback, the flight crew made several attempts at starting the engines, then announced there was a problem and that we were going back onto the stand to 're-boot' the aircraft systems. Fine. After the complete shutdown and re-start, they started the engines, we then pushed back, taxied and took off. There was no message from the flight deck to say everything was sorted. In fact, nothing from the flight deck at all, right up until we disembarked at SOU. Personally, whilst I know it could be assumed from the fact we departed, I would just have liked a brief message to say "everything now ok, we're going". It would have taken seconds. Instead, I was surrounded by people who looked slightly apprehensive to say the least and I too did not feel entirely comfortable - a feeling partially confirmed on arrival at SOU when an engineer jumped on before all pax had disembarked!
Safety and flying the aircraft is, of course, always the first priority. However, most flight crews doing the job every day don't realise that those little failures in communication with pax can put someone off flying for life. That can be a lot of lost revenue and, ultimately, contribute the financial failure of an airline and/or the loss of jobs.
It sounds like you have a lot of experience to offer. I hope you will continue to contribute to this thread.
HH
Too mean to buy a long personal title
But I wonder whether it would help for there to be an SOP that the CSD (or senior cabin crew member) should make an announcement. Obviously, the CC won't know what has caused the particular go-around, and will have to be careful not to pre-empt the content of any announcement that the flight deck later makes. But there must be something reassuring that can be said; after all, 99% or whatever of go-arounds are just a normal procedure.
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I've experienced two go-arounds (both on BA wide-bodies) and in both cases the flight-deck made a announcement soon afterwards. Onthe first occasion this went something like:
"Sorry about that folks, the flight in front was a little slow in clearing the runway, so we've decided to go round and try again."
Much appreciated - as was the annoucement from the cabin crew on the second occasion:
"Welcome to Glasgow, we'd like to assure passengers that there will be no extra charge for the go-around."
It broke the slight tension (it was the windiest landing I've ever experienced) nicely.
"Sorry about that folks, the flight in front was a little slow in clearing the runway, so we've decided to go round and try again."
Much appreciated - as was the annoucement from the cabin crew on the second occasion:
"Welcome to Glasgow, we'd like to assure passengers that there will be no extra charge for the go-around."
It broke the slight tension (it was the windiest landing I've ever experienced) nicely.
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Two go-arounds - one with BA (744 ex-BOM, arr LHR) and one Easyjet two weeks ago (319, ex-LTN, arr EDI), two very different experiences.
On the BA, CSD gave a short announcement of the ilk above, stating how (as we were over the runway when we went around) the previous aircraft was slow to clear the runway and that the capt. had elected to complete another circuit to ensure that the passengers had the safest possible landing. Capt. came on when we were flying the circuit to rejoin the finals queue, explaining what had happened - most appreciated 3 months after 9/11.
Two weeks ago with Easyjet, CC noted that the pilot had elected not to continue with the approach and would be completing a circuit to land again. Unfortunately, that was it. Nothing more heard from either CC or Flight Deck, until the usual "Welcome to Edinburgh, please do not unfasten your seatbelts til we come to a complete stop."
I prefered the first experience to the second, but then, I'm interested in aviation and this really doesn't bother me.
Jordan
On the BA, CSD gave a short announcement of the ilk above, stating how (as we were over the runway when we went around) the previous aircraft was slow to clear the runway and that the capt. had elected to complete another circuit to ensure that the passengers had the safest possible landing. Capt. came on when we were flying the circuit to rejoin the finals queue, explaining what had happened - most appreciated 3 months after 9/11.
Two weeks ago with Easyjet, CC noted that the pilot had elected not to continue with the approach and would be completing a circuit to land again. Unfortunately, that was it. Nothing more heard from either CC or Flight Deck, until the usual "Welcome to Edinburgh, please do not unfasten your seatbelts til we come to a complete stop."
I prefered the first experience to the second, but then, I'm interested in aviation and this really doesn't bother me.
Jordan
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Whilst i was flying from LHR to JFK when we were flying over Canada in massive turbulence no announcement was made at-all to reassure a few passengers who might of got a bit uncomfortable whilst it was all going on. This turbulence also lasted for a good 45 minutes!
Paxing All Over The World
B757-200 One factor that can strongly influence how much/many PAs there are is the time of day. If it was night time then, despite the turbulence, they might have felt that the pax that were still asleep would want to stay that way. Also, of course, each person has their own 'turbulence meter'.
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I flew back from Malaga on Ezy 2 years ago. I really to this day dont have a clue what it was, as we had NO explanation whatsoever, which i think is highly un professional.
We were just cruising along nicely, no turbulence, suddenly the plane seem to drop, i mean stomach churning, ear popping drop, it went on for about 10 seconds, maybe a little less. The seat belt sign came on, the cc even looked startled.
Everything was fine again, but i thought and still do think its wrong when something liek that happens and you get no explanation at all, afterall im sure the Pilots felt the same feelings as us passengers did. But nothing, not a jot from the Crew.
Also had a really turbulent flight back from Crete on the very morning the Helios plane went down, (so passengers nervous before getting on the plane) it was all over the TV in the airport (nice). We were half way home, and the turbulence started, all the PA we heard was "cabin crew be seated please". Well as you can imagine to a nervous passenger (like me) that was just great!!
Then i had a guy behind me shouting to his friends "oh look at everyones faces, their all terrified" i wanted to punch him !! This went on for about 30 mins, by which time i had lost 3 stone in sweat! But again we had a fairly good landing and NOTHING, not a quick "sorry about that folks , just a bit of turbulance". I think its u professional when Pilots dont reassure passengers when there is a bit more than usual activity going on up there. I think its their job responsibility along with getting us there and back safely to just say a quick line. Not all the time, just if there is something that some would find more scarier than usual, and when the crew are told to sit down also.
Moan over
We were just cruising along nicely, no turbulence, suddenly the plane seem to drop, i mean stomach churning, ear popping drop, it went on for about 10 seconds, maybe a little less. The seat belt sign came on, the cc even looked startled.
Everything was fine again, but i thought and still do think its wrong when something liek that happens and you get no explanation at all, afterall im sure the Pilots felt the same feelings as us passengers did. But nothing, not a jot from the Crew.
Also had a really turbulent flight back from Crete on the very morning the Helios plane went down, (so passengers nervous before getting on the plane) it was all over the TV in the airport (nice). We were half way home, and the turbulence started, all the PA we heard was "cabin crew be seated please". Well as you can imagine to a nervous passenger (like me) that was just great!!
Then i had a guy behind me shouting to his friends "oh look at everyones faces, their all terrified" i wanted to punch him !! This went on for about 30 mins, by which time i had lost 3 stone in sweat! But again we had a fairly good landing and NOTHING, not a quick "sorry about that folks , just a bit of turbulance". I think its u professional when Pilots dont reassure passengers when there is a bit more than usual activity going on up there. I think its their job responsibility along with getting us there and back safely to just say a quick line. Not all the time, just if there is something that some would find more scarier than usual, and when the crew are told to sit down also.
Moan over
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Whenever awake, I do listen to flight deck announcments but wouldn't be bothered if they wasn't made.
I appreciate announcments about weather ahead and i'm talking pretty violent turbulence, none of this light choppy stuff! - That can go without a mention and just stick the seatbelt sign on for all I care.
(Yes, I've experience severe turbulence so I do realise just how bad it gets!)
I don't mind the flight deck crew pointing out some points of intrest, solong as they are not stupid things that nobody has ever heared about! - On a particular FR flight the captain pointed out that we'd be passing over Wembley Stadium and as there was an event on we'd be able to see it clearly from the right hand side - that was nice of him to say and looked fantastic from the air! - However, if they was to point out that we'd be passing over the Mersey or Manchesters biggest power station then I'd be somewhat annoyed!
Long haul flights, if all is good and no problems pax need to be aware of then as far as im concerned they have a job to do and I want my sleep so lets all just stay quiet! - Thankfully, most do, however 99% of the pilots who've flown me across just point out New York City when your flying near once the other side of the pond - Which I don't mind, as to some people I guess it's nice to know your over some well known place - However to me it's just like saying "we're now flying over liverpool"
!
A brief announcment on decent is also appreciated, mainly for the ETA - Not for a life story which FR f/o's give you about what FL you've been cruising at and then how many meters thats been and how his "COMPUTA" is displaying 0503 for the arrival and how it might change because of traffic and wind.
Now moving onto cabin crew announcments, I don't appreciate them at all - However it's their job so I won't complain! - Especially when your trying to sell me some duty free which is 50% cheaper at my destination and coffee priced at £2.50!
All in all, breif informative announcments are appreciated by me from the front - Just not life stories!
I agree with that, a go-around is not something an adv. pax is going to know about and will proberbly get a little worried.
A simple but informative announcment would do the trick "Ladies and Gents the captain has decided to discontinue the approach into XX, we'd like to remind passengers that this is a normal proceedure and as soon as the captain has more information he/she will update you" - Something along the lines of that.
I appreciate announcments about weather ahead and i'm talking pretty violent turbulence, none of this light choppy stuff! - That can go without a mention and just stick the seatbelt sign on for all I care.
(Yes, I've experience severe turbulence so I do realise just how bad it gets!)I don't mind the flight deck crew pointing out some points of intrest, solong as they are not stupid things that nobody has ever heared about! - On a particular FR flight the captain pointed out that we'd be passing over Wembley Stadium and as there was an event on we'd be able to see it clearly from the right hand side - that was nice of him to say and looked fantastic from the air!
- However, if they was to point out that we'd be passing over the Mersey or Manchesters biggest power station then I'd be somewhat annoyed!Long haul flights, if all is good and no problems pax need to be aware of then as far as im concerned they have a job to do and I want my sleep so lets all just stay quiet! - Thankfully, most do, however 99% of the pilots who've flown me across just point out New York City when your flying near once the other side of the pond - Which I don't mind, as to some people I guess it's nice to know your over some well known place - However to me it's just like saying "we're now flying over liverpool"
!A brief announcment on decent is also appreciated, mainly for the ETA - Not for a life story which FR f/o's give you about what FL you've been cruising at and then how many meters thats been and how his "COMPUTA" is displaying 0503 for the arrival and how it might change because of traffic and wind.
Now moving onto cabin crew announcments, I don't appreciate them at all - However it's their job so I won't complain! - Especially when your trying to sell me some duty free which is 50% cheaper at my destination and coffee priced at £2.50!
All in all, breif informative announcments are appreciated by me from the front - Just not life stories!
But I wonder whether it would help for there to be an SOP that the CSD (or senior cabin crew member) should make an announcement. Obviously, the CC won't know what has caused the particular go-around, and will have to be careful not to pre-empt the content of any announcement that the flight deck later makes. But there must be something reassuring that can be said; after all, 99% or whatever of go-arounds are just a normal procedure.
A simple but informative announcment would do the trick "Ladies and Gents the captain has decided to discontinue the approach into XX, we'd like to remind passengers that this is a normal proceedure and as soon as the captain has more information he/she will update you" - Something along the lines of that.
Prince of Darkness
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Overheard in New York
From the flight deck before takeoff: I'm only gonna say this once: You have to turn off your laptop, iPod, Game Boy, CD player, BlackBerry, blueberry, strawberry, cherry, and Halle Berry -- yes, you have to turn her off, too! You have to turn off anything that isn't keeping you alive.
--JetBlue flight, JFK
Ozzy
From the flight deck before takeoff: I'm only gonna say this once: You have to turn off your laptop, iPod, Game Boy, CD player, BlackBerry, blueberry, strawberry, cherry, and Halle Berry -- yes, you have to turn her off, too! You have to turn off anything that isn't keeping you alive.
--JetBlue flight, JFK
Ozzy
