How do you react to passengers claiming there is something wrong with the airplane
 

I have nonreved enough times to know the different sounds an airplane will make during the different phases of the flight, so the sound of the flaps being retracted, the langing gear being deployed, or great thrust reductions after takeoff on 757s don't usually alarm me, but how would you react to a passenger who is convinced there is somthing wrong with the airplane:confused:

Ignore them and keep reading. Passengers ALWAYS look at uniformed pilots sitting in the back to see how they react to everything from turbulence to announcements to funny sounds, etc. If it's pretty much anything, bury your nose in your book, magazine, whatever.

"Ignore the 'self loading cargo'" is my motto.

This is what I usually said with a smile:

"Tell ya what, if and when I start to look nervous, then it may indicate somethings wrong. Or that I have to use the lav".....That would usually get a smirk or something, but at least it ended the "joe aircraft mechanic" syndrome

"if you see me panicking, then it is time to worry, otherwise, it's all good"

I do like that line about the lav, though. :cool:

laugh at them...

its the little things that keep me going

Don't you just hate the loud ones, they will talk 3 times louder than usual just to gain attention/attempt to comfort themselves withlines like "That don't look/sound to good" or "Yea, thats a normal operation...":rolleyes:

oh yeah, you just have to love the ones that "think" they know what is going on. I had a passenger ask me after landing why we didn't do a run-up in the CRJ before takeoff. It took all the self control I had not to laugh in his face. It's fun stories like that that keep me going while I'm furloughed...again.

I once had a guy, management type for the airline, ask me - Is that oil streak normal?

My response, sure, but if it gets any worse... You let me know, right away!
And then I leaned back and closed my eyes. He had his nose glued to the window for the entire flight. I slept well.

On 145 when you taxi out on the number 2, the pumps make a bit of noise in the cabin....well I can't even begin to tell you how many times I've been in the back deadheading, and a pax will turn around and ask me "if I'm going to do anything about it", "the plane is broken", so I just smile and tell them is normal. Any other time if I'm flying, I acknowledge their concern and explain that it is perfectly normal (whatever the "problem" might be).

im almost tempted to put on a uniform and sit in coach and tell the flight attendant we are all going to die....almost