So I'm just back from a trip to New Orleans (much more on that to come) but before I get to all of those details, let me focus for a moment on my outgoing flight. My pilot was either a chatterbox or dreamed of one day being a comic, and made the most of his microphone and our undivided attention by unleashing a series of witticisms throughout the flight. At one point, he even referred to the passengers "sky pirates." Now I'm all for the occasional banter, but after a while, I couldn't help feeling like it was all little much. Most of the time, I just want my flying experience to be one of vegging out--listening to music or reading without any interruption. So Captain Open Mike was beginning to bug me. So I wondered, what do you think is appropriate pilot-speak? Does hearing the pilot chatter make your feel more or less comfortable during a flight? Let us know in the comments below.
Photo: kfergos via the Intelligent Travel Flickr pool
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On jetblue I constantly get annoyed b/c it cuts the sound off on the live TV you're watching. If they have to make announcements okay, but I wonder if they realize how many people are trying to watch primetime tv and just missed the punchline because the pilot decided to let us know you can see a great view out your window to the left if you want.
Definitely want the pilot chatter kept at a minimum. At some point, it stops being cute.
I admit - I love it. I have a lifelong fear of flying and still to this day get uneasy on airplanes. A witty and somewhat chatty pilot helps take the edge off. (Well, so does the xanax, but the pilot chatter provides a little extra security :)
It depends on the time of day and pax load. A full red eye wouldn't be appropriate. Flight deck chatter during taxi is fine - it give you a gauge on whether you're #2 or #99 on the line to take off.
I tend to agree that excessive banter from the cockpit to the passengers can be more of an annoyance than a comfort. It can also be a bit unnerving as it has made me wonder if the pilot is paying enough attention to keeping everything up in the air and on course. I do admit to enjoying one particular incident where a female flight attendant accidentally had an open mike to the cabin when she thought she was talking to the captain which included some innocent but hilarious flirtation.
I guess, in your case, the captain knew that he had a captive audience that wouldn't (or couldn't) get up and walk out during his performance
I don’t like pilot disturbing me while listening to music.
Shail
Agra India