Effort To Add "channel 9"?

[ITRADE]

UA pilots - on most domestic flights - operate it.

UA pilots - most all transoceanic flights - do not operate it.

FWIW,

While I can't speak for all Int'l flights, I do know that at least out of IAD on the 777 that most Captains in fact do use it, only up to the oceanic entry point. Shortly past that point we're normally monitoring the emergency freq. (121.5) on the #1 radio and air-to-air common on #2. So at that point we normally turn CH 9 off as there usually isn't any chatter on that freq anyway. We routinely will select it back on as soon we exit oceanic airspace and again are in VHF with center control (i.e. Shannon heading to Europe, Gander heading home, etc.)

Thanks for that info. Your comments make sense. My BKK-NRT flights are always over land or within communication with ATC. My first PEK-ORD flight has Channel 9 since it was all over land as well (China, Russia, Alaska, Canada, then mainland US).

 

[Busdrvr]

"While I can't speak for all Int'l flights, I do know that at least out of IAD on the 777 that most Captains in fact do use it, only up to the oceanic entry point. Shortly past that point we're normally monitoring the emergency freq. (121.5) on the #1 radio and air-to-air common on #2. So at that point we normally turn CH 9 off as there usually isn't any chatter on that freq anyway"

Have you guys gone to all data link on the NATs? Do you still even monitor HF cell call?

 

[Light Years]

Fly-

We have 1 litre bottles of water... thats pretty big. I've not been on a United flight in a couple of months...What on earth are they catering you with? Big buckets of water? 😱

They used to have the smaller, skinny ones (and I've seen these reappear a bit lately too), and then went to the bigger ones. The Infilght Cafe boxes come with those little cutie ones, I believe Delta uses them. Express carriers get the big bottles.

This is not to say US FAs are going down the aisle tossing 1 litre bottles at everyone, but they are not stingy about giving one.

I believe the front-to-back service in FC is a result of customer focus groups... if I recall correctly at one point they had us running from seat to seat offering meals in a class system order, which was kind of embarrassing for everyone. Actually, maybe they didnt have us doing it, but FAs were just doing it themselves.

I think its neat how there's a little bit of history for alot of the service techniques. I've been told that focus groups said they preferred a glass of beverage, can on request to being saddled with a full can they dont want on thier workspace/tray table. However on the Shuttle its an unopened can and a cup of ice, so they can take the can with them if they like (is this still done?) The single carts on the Airbus fleet came from the Shuttle. When it was seperate, supposedly whoever designed the service thought it was really offensive to have a FA's back to you during the service, so they fitted the 727s with four single carts to do the "modified pinch" service. They brought this idea to the Airbuses when picking out specifications. Luckily they chose the full aft galley also, many airlines have a half galley with one of the lavs at the very back by 2L... yuck... :unsure: Just interesting little tidbits of info.

 

[ClueByFour]

This is not to say US FAs are going down the aisle tossing 1 litre bottles at everyone, but they are not stingy about giving one.

This is so true. I remember right after 9/11, and all US had was these huge bottles of water. I usually ask for one in F preflight, and the response for the longest time was "it's a big bottle." Cost savings, especially when at least half of the F cabin asks for one (when I fly, anyway).

On UA, they supposedly take meal orders by status. I've only ever flown a few flights on UA with US status, and they simply went from the front. I have flown UA in paid F and Biz in the past and had my meal order taken last, as I had no UA status. That struck me as odd, as the FA really had to hop around the cabin.

 

[Fly]

This is not to say US FAs are going down the aisle tossing 1 litre bottles at everyone, but they are not stingy about giving one.

We aren't being stingy (really really) but if we give them out we will run out immediately!!! On a 757, they give us 2 or 3 bottles in F. That's it! One person sees someone get a bottle, and they all ask. That's why we don't normally give them out. We used to have those lil tiny bottles (loved those) even in economy...oh well.

 

[Light Years]

I agree that those little bottles are the best. Fly, are you guys still taking orders by status? Do you know if thats a UA thing or a Star thing?

 

[BoeingBoy]

For what it's worth, on the 737 we seem to have a feast or famine policy with the water - either lots (yes, the 1 liter bottles) or little. I personally don't touch it (too healthy) but seems most of the f/o's do so I'm often back in the galley before pushback getting drinks for the leg. I suppose it has something to do with not catering at most of the outstations (on the little airplanes at least).

On the audio channel issue, I think it would be good if we ever get ife systems on all the planes. Can think of only two issues with it.

1- security procedures that I won't go into on a public forum would require it to be off at a cretain airport I assume.

2- my fading memory seems to recall that the AMR DC-10 that literally lost an engine on takeoff from ORD in the early to mid '70's was equiped with a video channel that showed the view looking forward in the cockpit. Some may remember that the plane crashed just off the airport and the passengers got to watch their impending doom live on the video system.

Jim

 

[ClueByFour]

1- security procedures that I won't go into on a public forum would require it to be off at a cretain airport I assume.

2- my fading memory seems to recall that the AMR DC-10 that literally lost an engine on takeoff from ORD in the early to mid '70's was equiped with a video channel that showed the view looking forward in the cockpit. Some may remember that the plane crashed just off the airport and the passengers got to watch their impending doom live on the video system.

I generally agree with your sentiment. However, allow me to play the devil's advocate for a second:

1. Anything on Channel 9 (or whatever you want to call it), can be received in any kind of proximity to the airport, anyway. If somebody has bad intentions, I don't think FAA regs about electronic devices or anything else is going to keep them from doing it.

2. Some airlines still actually have the nose cams. In fact, at least one that I've been on in the past two years (Lauda, at the time) still had departure and approach available to view on the PTVs.

That said, I enjoy channel 9 if for no other reason that in my spare time I've got the private ticket, and thus enjoy knowing what's happening (eg, 47th for departure at PHL or the like). Also, some of the UA captains really have some fun with it. One guy on the way to SYD gave a few talks on aircraft instrumentation and trans-pac navigation and the like. I once caught the NCAA championship game on Channel 9, as it seemed that the F/O was a UCLA fan and adept at tweaking (what I'm assuming) was the ADF about twice an hour to find the game.

 

[Fly]

Light Years Posted on Jan 7 2004, 09:50 PM

agree that those little bottles are the best. Fly, are you guys still taking orders by status? Do you know if thats a UA thing or a Star thing?

I'm not sure if the crazy order taking is UA or Star (but regardless, we do it :blink: ) You know the most amazing part to me? I can have a full F class cabin with only 2 choices of entree but if I don't ask the most elite flyer his choice first, usually they will ask me about it. So I have a 1K flyer and a 1K million (but the 1K is in 1A and the 1K Million is in 2a)...now figuring that mathmatically they will both get their choice NO MATTER HOW I TAKE ORDERS, one would assume that going front to back would not be much of an issue. Of course, one would be incorrect! Oh sure, 1A is all happy that I asked him first, but WOW, when I get to 2A, well, he's a little perturbed with me. Don't I know how important he is? I'm thinking "Man, if I met you at a party, I wouldn't even talk to you. Now you got your choice, so shut up".....but I say "It's amazing Mr. Noodlehead, both you and Mr. Luckytositclosetothegalley have more miles than even myself....WOW. " And if I say it loud enough for half of the cabin to hear, then he will be happy....THE END

On another rant: Why don't we all sell seats just like they sell them at a theatre. The better seats cost more, the crappy seats cost less. Then people will gobble up all the middle seats and no one will be pissed. Think about it...makes sense to me. If they are lucky enough to have an empty window or aisle, they will be happy! If they are stuck between two people, they aren't angry cuz thats what they paid for anyway. Of course it would get interesting when the family of 6 buys all middle seats (even for their kids in carseats). 😱ff:

Back on topic: Channel 9 is very much enjoyed by the passengers. Strangest thing I've noticed though, it's been here since I have been here (1986) but it seems to be a lot more popular now. 9/11? Probably! I'm surprised that more airlines don't utilize it though, it's free and they like it!

 

[BoeingBoy]

Hi Clue,

I don't disagree with your comments, but I'm not the FAA either. I'm assuming that they would require the audio channel be off in those particular circumstances. Didn't say it made sense.

As for the video, I was only pointing out one possible drawback in that rarest of circumstances, not saying it wouldn't be nice to have or popular.

Jim

 

[ClueByFour]

As for the video, I was only pointing out one possible drawback in that rarest of circumstances, not saying it wouldn't be nice to have or popular.

Hey, I'd personally rather see it coming. At which point, I would take a bit of liberty, despite the constant glow of the no-smoking lamp these days on commercial aircraft. 😱

 

[USFlyer]

When I flew UA DCA-ORD, Channel 9 was not available until about 10 minutes after departure. I'm assuming it is shut off before arrival as well.