Passenger Announcement Etiquette
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I REALLY SHOULDN'T BE HERE
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From: TOD
Passenger Announcement Etiquette
Are there any particular rules for the routine passenger announcements?
Any particular dos or don'ts?
Should humour be avoided on early flights?
Should jokes be the preserve of the LHS?
You get the idea. Interested in hearing all opinions.
SR
Any particular dos or don'ts?
Should humour be avoided on early flights?
Should jokes be the preserve of the LHS?
You get the idea. Interested in hearing all opinions.
SR
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From: dunnunda
From my Ops Manual;
If memory serves there used to be a reference to the "politically correct brigade" in years gone by.
Pilots must be aware of the possible misinterpretation of the content of passenger PAs. Care must be taken to avoid gender, religious, racial, and political comments, even in a jocular vein.
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From: On the Camel's back
Should jokes be the preserve of the LHS?
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From: Orlando, Florida
FO's do do announcements - I think what speedrestriction was asking (with regard to the humour being left seat only) is that there will be a fair number of FO's who respect their position in the food chain, and may not want to attempt to lower the perceived professionalism of the flight deck without an approval from the Commander.
I'm not suggesting that they SHOULD - I'm suggesting that their will be those whose personal attitude to the position they hold may place their own limitations upon themselves.
I'm not suggesting that they SHOULD - I'm suggesting that their will be those whose personal attitude to the position they hold may place their own limitations upon themselves.
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From: LGW
I once heard a story, possibly an urban (aviation?) myth, that a pilot said ... "and we're currently passing overhead Liverpool, so hold on to your wallets..."
In the version I heard the pilot got into trouble with the Management, although I heard it again and was told there were 30 odd (stone cold sober I'm sure) Liverpudlian football fans on board.... eek.
A locked and reinforced flight deck door suddenly becomes your best mate in the world!
In the version I heard the pilot got into trouble with the Management, although I heard it again and was told there were 30 odd (stone cold sober I'm sure) Liverpudlian football fans on board.... eek.
A locked and reinforced flight deck door suddenly becomes your best mate in the world!
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This subject seems to come up frequently.
Passenger addresses seem to elicit a lot of myth and folklore stories.
The truth of the matter is that they are part of the professional communication from the flight deck to the cabin. There is no question that a bit of humour does have its place in certain situations and usually when it happens it is spontaneous rather than planned. However for the most part the announcements are done in a manner that conveys the same professional attitude the speaker has to his or her other tasks, and for the most part that it what the customers want to hear.
Humour is a very subjective thing, and what one recipient may find amusing another may definetaly not. A passenger who has been subject to any number of the stresses induced my modern air travel, may well be less than entertained when the Pilot decides to portray himself as a comedian or clown, and it is not something that is often encountered.
As with many things, it is a question of common sense and awareness. People visiting a comedy club expect to be entertained. Passengers on an airplane expect a high degree of professionalism and since their only contact with the flight deck crew is over the PA, this needs to be handled carefully.
There are many do's and don'ts, but these vary from individual to individual and from situation to situation bearing in mind the overall requirements.
Passenger addresses seem to elicit a lot of myth and folklore stories.
The truth of the matter is that they are part of the professional communication from the flight deck to the cabin. There is no question that a bit of humour does have its place in certain situations and usually when it happens it is spontaneous rather than planned. However for the most part the announcements are done in a manner that conveys the same professional attitude the speaker has to his or her other tasks, and for the most part that it what the customers want to hear.
Humour is a very subjective thing, and what one recipient may find amusing another may definetaly not. A passenger who has been subject to any number of the stresses induced my modern air travel, may well be less than entertained when the Pilot decides to portray himself as a comedian or clown, and it is not something that is often encountered.
As with many things, it is a question of common sense and awareness. People visiting a comedy club expect to be entertained. Passengers on an airplane expect a high degree of professionalism and since their only contact with the flight deck crew is over the PA, this needs to be handled carefully.
There are many do's and don'ts, but these vary from individual to individual and from situation to situation bearing in mind the overall requirements.
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From: On the Camel's back
I once heard a story, possibly an urban (aviation?) myth, that a pilot said ... "and we're currently passing overhead Liverpool, so hold on to your wallets..."
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: LT
Cpt. vs. F/O annoucements..
.. how 'bout leaving the briefing to the "pilot flying" (PF)?
We're a few in my present company excercising this concept, seems to work.
With regards to cracking jokes on the "PA" I'm not personally seeing it as my job to entertain the pax in this way, I'm guessing my bad landings should cover that item of the flight ;-).
The way I see that pax see 'us' is; we're hired to fly paying pax from 'A' - 'B' history shows that's their only expectation.. My point is; keep up our 'pro' apperance and fullfill their expectations..
Still I do enjoy this one (suppose to be true and presented few weeks after the US discussion on whether or not to carry arms on the flightdeck):
"Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. I'd like to welcome you on board this _ _ _ _ flight from Las Vegas - LAX, we expect sunshine along the route and a strong tailwind why we're expecting to arrive 30min B4 schedule. I'd also like to inform you that my F/O today is carrying a 44' Magnum with a soft grip capable of 'putting' a hole in you the size of the Grand Canyon, which if you look out to your right we're passing right now!"
Enjoy..
Airjockey..
We're a few in my present company excercising this concept, seems to work.
With regards to cracking jokes on the "PA" I'm not personally seeing it as my job to entertain the pax in this way, I'm guessing my bad landings should cover that item of the flight ;-).
The way I see that pax see 'us' is; we're hired to fly paying pax from 'A' - 'B' history shows that's their only expectation.. My point is; keep up our 'pro' apperance and fullfill their expectations..
Still I do enjoy this one (suppose to be true and presented few weeks after the US discussion on whether or not to carry arms on the flightdeck):
"Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. I'd like to welcome you on board this _ _ _ _ flight from Las Vegas - LAX, we expect sunshine along the route and a strong tailwind why we're expecting to arrive 30min B4 schedule. I'd also like to inform you that my F/O today is carrying a 44' Magnum with a soft grip capable of 'putting' a hole in you the size of the Grand Canyon, which if you look out to your right we're passing right now!"
Enjoy..
Airjockey..
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From: UK
PA
Hi Folks,
On the issue of passenger announcements, can u give examples of what you say in your PA’s? I'm still new in this business and I want to sound as professional and as eloquent as possible. So full text examples would be much appreciated. You can PM me if you wish. Thanx!!
AP
On the issue of passenger announcements, can u give examples of what you say in your PA’s? I'm still new in this business and I want to sound as professional and as eloquent as possible. So full text examples would be much appreciated. You can PM me if you wish. Thanx!!
AP
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From: dunnunda
AlternativeProcedure
"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, First Officer Claret speaking. On behalf of Captain Bloggs it is my pleasure to add our welcome to that of Joe/Joanne your cabin services manager and his/her crew, aboard Alternative flight 1234 to Rome. We're climbing through 15 thousand feet on our way to 33 thousand feet, which is 10 kilometers above sea level. Expecting mostly smooth conditions enroute, the seat belt sign has been extinguished and you are free to move about the cabin. However, it is a company requirement that whilst seated (pause), you keep your seatbelt fastened (pause), incase we encounter any unforecast turbulence.
Our route today takes us across the English channel, overhead Paris, Venice then on descent into Rome. We expect to have you disembarking at 1230 Rome time to a pleasant autumn day, a light southerly breeze, some scatered cloud and a pleasant 18 degrees. There is a one hour (don't know what it is really) time difference, the time in Rome is now 11:15.
I'll come back to you just prior to our descent into Rome with an update of the weather and arrival time, for now, please sit back, relax, and enjoy the inflight service."
"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, First Officer Claret speaking. On behalf of Captain Bloggs it is my pleasure to add our welcome to that of Joe/Joanne your cabin services manager and his/her crew, aboard Alternative flight 1234 to Rome. We're climbing through 15 thousand feet on our way to 33 thousand feet, which is 10 kilometers above sea level. Expecting mostly smooth conditions enroute, the seat belt sign has been extinguished and you are free to move about the cabin. However, it is a company requirement that whilst seated (pause), you keep your seatbelt fastened (pause), incase we encounter any unforecast turbulence.
Our route today takes us across the English channel, overhead Paris, Venice then on descent into Rome. We expect to have you disembarking at 1230 Rome time to a pleasant autumn day, a light southerly breeze, some scatered cloud and a pleasant 18 degrees. There is a one hour (don't know what it is really) time difference, the time in Rome is now 11:15.
I'll come back to you just prior to our descent into Rome with an update of the weather and arrival time, for now, please sit back, relax, and enjoy the inflight service."
Joined: May 2000
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From: United Kingdom
Engage brain - the professional voice for the airline should be nothing other than professional. If culture requires a modicum of tasteful humour that remains professional, then great, if you know whether or not you are tasteful...if you don't know then leave it!
Do you want the business class to continue spending or not...?
Do you want the business class to continue spending or not...?
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: UK
cwatters - When there are delays there are always passengers screaming that "we weren't told anything, there was almost no information"
The honest truth is that more often than not, we don't know either!
If you're told the aircraft is late in, and should be here in an hour, that's all we've been told.
We know how frustrating it can be when you're delayed, and it makes our life a lot easier to keep the passengers happy, but we can only tell you what we know. Sometimes we're told that " ..xyz might happen" but we're loath to pass this information on in case it doesn't, which only results in hordes of passengers screaming "..but you said!"
Trust me, delays are just as frustrating for crew as they are for passengers, but sometimes we just have to grin and bear it
The honest truth is that more often than not, we don't know either!
If you're told the aircraft is late in, and should be here in an hour, that's all we've been told.
We know how frustrating it can be when you're delayed, and it makes our life a lot easier to keep the passengers happy, but we can only tell you what we know. Sometimes we're told that " ..xyz might happen" but we're loath to pass this information on in case it doesn't, which only results in hordes of passengers screaming "..but you said!"
Trust me, delays are just as frustrating for crew as they are for passengers, but sometimes we just have to grin and bear it
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
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From: Hertfordshire, UK.
I certainly agree with gashcan that "... so, sit back, relax and enjoy the flight" is pointless.
This question crops up regularly in one forum or another and the SEARCH facility should provide many more threads from history.
When these threads come up, I always make the same point: Audibility. When you are speaking to ATC, they are listening through high quality headphones in a room that is (hopefully) fairly quiet.
We are sitting in a room that has air noise from outside, probably some engines as well. On the inside people are chatting, air-con is blowing and a meal service might be in progress. Headphones that are in service are listening to privcate music OR you just interrupted the film soundtrack!!
So .. speak clearly and slightly louder than you might otherwise have done. Often times, I have heard a voice whispering away in the speaker above my head (or offset by one row if the original specifier of the a/c did not put speakers above every row!) and I hear nothing of what is said.
Of course, if you are in a turbo-prop then Shout! So, on behalf of the crew, I hope that you have a nice and relaxing read of this thread and that we will see you on PPRuNe Forums again very soon. If there is anything that you require, then just press the button marked Moderator.
This question crops up regularly in one forum or another and the SEARCH facility should provide many more threads from history.
When these threads come up, I always make the same point: Audibility. When you are speaking to ATC, they are listening through high quality headphones in a room that is (hopefully) fairly quiet.
We are sitting in a room that has air noise from outside, probably some engines as well. On the inside people are chatting, air-con is blowing and a meal service might be in progress. Headphones that are in service are listening to privcate music OR you just interrupted the film soundtrack!!
So .. speak clearly and slightly louder than you might otherwise have done. Often times, I have heard a voice whispering away in the speaker above my head (or offset by one row if the original specifier of the a/c did not put speakers above every row!) and I hear nothing of what is said.
Of course, if you are in a turbo-prop then Shout! So, on behalf of the crew, I hope that you have a nice and relaxing read of this thread and that we will see you on PPRuNe Forums again very soon. If there is anything that you require, then just press the button marked Moderator.
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From: UK
some of the terms I've learned not to use:
'Fog' when 'early morning mist' is better.
'Thunderstorms'..........'heavy rain'
'Terminal' ..................'stand'
'Final destination'.........name of airport.
Generally altitude, speed, eta, routing, wx at destination & any significant landmarks out of the window suffices.
'Fog' when 'early morning mist' is better.
'Thunderstorms'..........'heavy rain'
'Terminal' ..................'stand'
'Final destination'.........name of airport.
Generally altitude, speed, eta, routing, wx at destination & any significant landmarks out of the window suffices.