Do you trust your pilots voice?
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As an easyJet pilot with a regional accent (braveheart) I was flying northbound from London yesterday listening to a British Airways pilots pronounce the word "Shuttle" without the "tt".
He flies for the flag carrier and can't speak the queens english? I ask you
Thought they'd give the NED at least some elecution lessons before representing queen and country
He flies for the flag carrier and can't speak the queens english? I ask you
Thought they'd give the NED at least some elecution lessons before representing queen and country
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To the brief...
Let's be honest. As a passenger what is it that YOU want to hear? Some parts of the p.a. are obligitory such as "please pay attention to the safety demonstration" and "have your seat belt loosely fastened whilst seated" but other than these the average Joe probably only wants to know when they're getting there and perhaps if it's raining or not. Once again it is a scientific fact that most people have the attention span of a goldfish and whilst you're going on about speed, altitude, fuel burn etc he or she has switched off.
Keep it brief.
Keep it brief.
Controversial, moi?
No PAs apart from safety briefings and straightforward schedule disruptions should be made. Airline crews should pay a talk tax. The first half-hour of a long-haul flight seems to be taken up with junk announcements.
At a certain well known large airline in the UK the list of compulsory stuff for the Captain to mention before departure is making PAs so long winded and boring that people just mentally switch off.
Couple that with the interminable PAs from the CC introducing Tracy in World Traveller and Shane in Club World, etc. it seems to go on for ever.
"have your seat belt loosely fastened whilst seated"
Paxing All Over The World
To return to the original and substantive question ... 'type' of voice. The answer is, "It does not matter, as long as I can understand them." That may include the use of colloquial English and regional pronunciation. of course 'region' might be Home Counties or Cornwall!
On a recent trip, when leaving the a/c, I passed on to the CSD that the CC and Captain's PAs could be heard clearly but that the FO spoke too quietly and I could not hear them. That was the critical point. If I had been able to hear but not understand them, then I should also have made the comment.
If the person at the pointy end has an ATPL, then that is all that counts. I understand, of course, that many folks that do not fly often will cleave to the traditional voice of their own country.
The jokey comments about smokers etc. is becoming more common. As a regular traveller (in the air for just on 38 years) then I accept them for what they. A nervous traveller is going to be nervous. They could have the Chief Pilot sit next to them in row 1 and they would still be nervous.
On a recent trip, when leaving the a/c, I passed on to the CSD that the CC and Captain's PAs could be heard clearly but that the FO spoke too quietly and I could not hear them. That was the critical point. If I had been able to hear but not understand them, then I should also have made the comment.
If the person at the pointy end has an ATPL, then that is all that counts. I understand, of course, that many folks that do not fly often will cleave to the traditional voice of their own country.
The jokey comments about smokers etc. is becoming more common. As a regular traveller (in the air for just on 38 years) then I accept them for what they. A nervous traveller is going to be nervous. They could have the Chief Pilot sit next to them in row 1 and they would still be nervous.
Alba Gu Brath
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Man Flex
One thing that really bugs me when I fly is when the crew read out the current TAF for destination. How many people really understand "Scattered at 2000' "? Just give us a quick "It's quite warm / cold. Sunny / cloudy. Raining / snowing".
As for route information, sometimes it's appreciated if it's concise and interesting. Unlike the MON captain a few years ago who gave us a point by point diatribe all the way from HRG to LGW!
One thing that really bugs me when I fly is when the crew read out the current TAF for destination. How many people really understand "Scattered at 2000' "? Just give us a quick "It's quite warm / cold. Sunny / cloudy. Raining / snowing".
As for route information, sometimes it's appreciated if it's concise and interesting. Unlike the MON captain a few years ago who gave us a point by point diatribe all the way from HRG to LGW!
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Ignition Override siad :
"It is very rare that anyone, except for children, or a military pilot, shows any interest in stopping by the cockpit when the flight is over, and this includes the many on-time arrivals."
Not so, it's because on the flights I take, if you stop to speak to the crew, you end up pushed down the stairs by the pax behind you, all eager to get off. Even if you manage it, you'll miss the bus or cause someone to shout at you (nicely of course). The crew is also in a rush and I don't blame them.
"It is very rare that anyone, except for children, or a military pilot, shows any interest in stopping by the cockpit when the flight is over, and this includes the many on-time arrivals."
Not so, it's because on the flights I take, if you stop to speak to the crew, you end up pushed down the stairs by the pax behind you, all eager to get off. Even if you manage it, you'll miss the bus or cause someone to shout at you (nicely of course). The crew is also in a rush and I don't blame them.
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Ou Trek,
Agree totally. I would often like to take the time to have a chat after arrival but feel that the crew have enough to do and will probably be under pressure to turn round quickly, so I don't.
Recently I was delayed due to a tech problem at LHR, we had all spent 50 mins at the gate watching a crowd of people crawl in and out of the open engine cowling, lots of head scratching going on.
Then we all boarded and everything was as normal. Even with a good understanding of what was going on I felt reassured when the capt made a PA to indicate that he had flown the aircraft already that morning and was unhappy with a flight deck indication that there may be a problem with a starter valve. As a precaution he had had the valve replaced.
That PA told me that the capt was:
Thouroughly in control
Suitably cautious
Considerate to his passengers
covinced that the aircraft could be operated safely.
As paxboy said, I'm not bothered about the accent, it's the tone and the relevance of the information that count for me.
GB
Agree totally. I would often like to take the time to have a chat after arrival but feel that the crew have enough to do and will probably be under pressure to turn round quickly, so I don't.
Recently I was delayed due to a tech problem at LHR, we had all spent 50 mins at the gate watching a crowd of people crawl in and out of the open engine cowling, lots of head scratching going on.
Then we all boarded and everything was as normal. Even with a good understanding of what was going on I felt reassured when the capt made a PA to indicate that he had flown the aircraft already that morning and was unhappy with a flight deck indication that there may be a problem with a starter valve. As a precaution he had had the valve replaced.
That PA told me that the capt was:
Thouroughly in control
Suitably cautious
Considerate to his passengers
covinced that the aircraft could be operated safely.
As paxboy said, I'm not bothered about the accent, it's the tone and the relevance of the information that count for me.
GB
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I think the question should can you hear or understand the pilot as it normally garbled and low on volume, or that loud it scares the cr#p out of you when it booms over the P.A.
Still beats Asian pilots that advise "our fright time will be 3 hours, we hope you enjoy your fright"
Still beats Asian pilots that advise "our fright time will be 3 hours, we hope you enjoy your fright"
Thread Starter
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As the person who started this thread, which according to Donal Dunbar is complete bull****, I have two observations so far:
1. DD as I post there have been 27 replies and 2377 views - OK not a great ratio but maybe, just maybe, those long winter nights in Canada have made you a little party pooper.
2. BUMPFF
- Couldn't have put it any better.
... now what other bull**** thread can I start ......
1. DD as I post there have been 27 replies and 2377 views - OK not a great ratio but maybe, just maybe, those long winter nights in Canada have made you a little party pooper.
2. BUMPFF
The deliverance of a succinct, practical, comforting, confidence-inspiring PA, from cockpit or cabin crew, is a skill which few people acquire. Any accent is fine by me.
... now what other bull**** thread can I start ......
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Donald Dunbar
couldn't agree more, otherwise 99% of the pilots will be out of a job
you know
Spanish
French
Italians
Greek
Turkish
Americans
English with regional acsents, etc etc
Wrong Sisters
quote:
The deliverance of a succinct, practical, comforting, confidence-inspiring PA, from cockpit or cabin crew, is a skill which few people acquire. Any accent is fine by me
I agree with that
couldn't agree more, otherwise 99% of the pilots will be out of a job
you know
Spanish
French
Italians
Greek
Turkish
Americans
English with regional acsents, etc etc
Wrong Sisters
quote:
The deliverance of a succinct, practical, comforting, confidence-inspiring PA, from cockpit or cabin crew, is a skill which few people acquire. Any accent is fine by me
I agree with that
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PAXboy :
I was positioning back down to LGW after a few days off and sitting next to a gentleman who had been a bit perturbed that I had had to climb over him to get to my seat. Later during the flight it became quite turbulent and I could see the 'white knuckles' appearing down to my right side. After a few minutes I asked him if he was nervous and explained what my position was within the industry. His whole attitude towards me changed and he was only too happy to converse on technical matters and understand the more practical aspects of meteorology. I firmly believe that I made a difference to this man's perception about flying and I could see just by talking about his fear his nerves abated.
The best kind of therapy for a nervous passenger is one that relieves their ignorance. PAs can do this very well if done properly.
ou Trek dronkie :
I fully understand what you are saying but please believe me when I say that myself and the vast majority of my colleagues encourage people to visit us after landing and ask questions. Yes sometimes you do get in the way of other passengers trying to disembark but then some flight decks are bigger than others!
I was positioning back down to LGW after a few days off and sitting next to a gentleman who had been a bit perturbed that I had had to climb over him to get to my seat. Later during the flight it became quite turbulent and I could see the 'white knuckles' appearing down to my right side. After a few minutes I asked him if he was nervous and explained what my position was within the industry. His whole attitude towards me changed and he was only too happy to converse on technical matters and understand the more practical aspects of meteorology. I firmly believe that I made a difference to this man's perception about flying and I could see just by talking about his fear his nerves abated.
The best kind of therapy for a nervous passenger is one that relieves their ignorance. PAs can do this very well if done properly.
ou Trek dronkie :
I fully understand what you are saying but please believe me when I say that myself and the vast majority of my colleagues encourage people to visit us after landing and ask questions. Yes sometimes you do get in the way of other passengers trying to disembark but then some flight decks are bigger than others!
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quick comment.
Why, in a 30 million dollar A/C with advanced - precision hydraulic, pneumatic and mechanical systems do manufacturers continue to install PA speakers that resemble the quality to that of a McDonalds drive through intercom?
(my sartorical view was brought to my attention from a friend that recently flew whom is totally unrelated to the aviation industry.)
(my sartorical view was brought to my attention from a friend that recently flew whom is totally unrelated to the aviation industry.)
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I'd echo others and say that anyone who sounds professional - whatever the accent and whether or not they crack the occasional joke - is fine by me.
As an aside, on a recent flight back from ALC on EasyJet the captain made a point, as most do these days, of emphasising that we really should be listening to the safety announcement because 'running down the aisle with your tail on fire is not the time to be asking questions.'
Don't know if said captain is a Ppruner but if so care to claim the quote? Made me chuckle...
As an aside, on a recent flight back from ALC on EasyJet the captain made a point, as most do these days, of emphasising that we really should be listening to the safety announcement because 'running down the aisle with your tail on fire is not the time to be asking questions.'
Don't know if said captain is a Ppruner but if so care to claim the quote? Made me chuckle...
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Interesting what people say about flight crew maintaing a serious composure infront of pax because although it had nothing to do with an announcement I became very annoyed when recently I travelled on a well known British Airline who's curiously supposed to have one of the best reputations in the biz. Okay it was an Airbus & they have drop down screens for the safety demo but that does not excuse that during the safety demonstration the fresh faced young steward near me spent the whole time sniggering to himself & eventually start laughing silently to himself. Cricky it's bad enough that the pax don't take the pathetically inadequate safety demonstations seriously, how are they supposed to if members of the crew have difficulty maining a serious face & a professional composure through out it.
I have relayed my concern to the airline while I was in the process of making a complaint about another issue, in all the times I've flown with the much maligned FR funnily I've never had occasion to make a complaint about one issue let alone two. Since both matters are currently being investigated by the airline I will refrain for the moment in giving any further detail or mentioning which airline it is.
I have relayed my concern to the airline while I was in the process of making a complaint about another issue, in all the times I've flown with the much maligned FR funnily I've never had occasion to make a complaint about one issue let alone two. Since both matters are currently being investigated by the airline I will refrain for the moment in giving any further detail or mentioning which airline it is.
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Many years ago in Australia Cathay had a long running TV ad presented by a stage, screen and TV actor named Noel Ferrier.
Noel had a plummy voice and an air not dissimilar to your own Robert Morely. Anyway, after extolling the beauty of the ladies, the excellent service etc, he announced "And up the front, sturdy British and Australian Pilots"
Noel had a plummy voice and an air not dissimilar to your own Robert Morely. Anyway, after extolling the beauty of the ladies, the excellent service etc, he announced "And up the front, sturdy British and Australian Pilots"
Tsamaya sentle
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Groundbased:
Very well said, because what more do you want?
What less do you need?
Maybe a short route briefing now and then...
DD: Please donīt underestimate the importance of a (sensible) P.A. to most of the pax!
That PA told me that the capt was:
Thouroughly in control
Suitably cautious
Considerate to his passengers
covinced that the aircraft could be operated safely
Thouroughly in control
Suitably cautious
Considerate to his passengers
covinced that the aircraft could be operated safely
What less do you need?
Maybe a short route briefing now and then...
DD: Please donīt underestimate the importance of a (sensible) P.A. to most of the pax!
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Can't a PA be professionnal with a bit of humour in it?
I've been told that some passengers are afraid when they hear a woman voice on a PA....what can we do for that??
I would like to say that the pilot's voice doesn't matter....but it's not true, there is the same problem on ATC frequencies and we usually "trust" a pilot or not depending of his (or her) voice!
I've been told that some passengers are afraid when they hear a woman voice on a PA....what can we do for that??
I would like to say that the pilot's voice doesn't matter....but it's not true, there is the same problem on ATC frequencies and we usually "trust" a pilot or not depending of his (or her) voice!
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I mostly trust my pilots, though occasionally it would be nice to see them. I understand all the questions about secuirty, etc., etc., but its nice to put a name to a face. I can't remember the last time I met friendly crew either, who were willing to have a chat.
Jordan
Jordan