Over at a.net there is a discussion about channel 9 not being available lately on numerous UA flights. Supposedly a protest action by pilots. Does anyone on this board know anything about this?
I can only speak from first-hand experience from the left seat of the 767 and I know of no formal effort to stop the use of Channel 9. I for one ALWAYS have it on and have found that it's one of the best tools we have to keep the passenger's informed regarding weather delays, holding patterns, etc. Just yesterday morning (Sauturday, Aug 2) we had a weather stop at IAD due to weather shutting down departures heading west. The total delay was about an hour so we taxied to the RWY 30 hold pad and shut down both engines to wait out the storm and then press on.
As is my usual practice I informed the passengers about the pending delay and told them, if they were so inclined, they could listen along to the banter between us and ATC (as well as all the other affected aircraft) on Ch. 9 and that way they'd know as quickly as we would how we stood in the sequence and could also hear exactly what our efforts were to help remedy the situation to include the possiblilty of a re-route, etc.
When ATC told us we could expect at least a 30 minute delay I further informed the passengers that with the engines shut down the cockpit door would be open and they were free to come pay a visit, the seatbelt sign was off, and that they could use their cell phones, etc. Within 30 seconds we had a line outside the cockpit door and myself and my first officer played host to a number of super kids and their parents, handed out wings, aircraft cards, expained the radar picture affecting us, etc. You know.....sort of just being there to make the best of a less than great situation. The cool thing about it, Channel 9, the cockpit door open, etc....when we finally arrived in DEN about an hour late the majority of the people sincerely thanked us for a great time despite the late arrival.
Now, I'm not tooting my horn to gain attention but rather, to let a lot of you know that if you get caught up in all the BS, fingerpointing, etc, etc.....you slowly start to cede control of your profession and some aspects of what brings enjoyment to us who do it, to those that some of you despise so much. Hey.....from time to time remember to take a deep breath, put your venom aside and learn to smell the roses! Yeah, we arrived an hour late but a whole bunch of our passengers and their kids will remember that late arriving flight as one of the best experiences they've ever had aboard UAL. And the reason being is that they had a connection to real caring pilots and F/A's on board. Enthusiasm is infecteous! Try it some time.
So bottom line, when I'm flying, Channel 9 is ALWAYS on. You can take that to the bank!!
Cheers,
Z B)
