So I was reading your post and said to myself "boy, that was a really dumb thing to have said." It's certainly ok for you to not allow the f/o to make those announcements, but it's certainly not ok for you to actually come out and say that. Most good captains I know try to take others feelings into account, if possible.

 

On southwest the told everyone "If you look out the left side of the aircraft, (pause) you will miss everything on the right". This of course was in the middle of a long night and everyone was sleeping. We had all just awaken from the PA chime and were all totally confused and baffled. Voices in the background chattering "huh, what did he say? whats of the left? No, the right? HUH???

 

My solution is to make almost no PAs during normal ops. (Different rules for irregular ops and safety items). The frequent fliers just want to hear the weather and that we'll be on time, and are somewhat annoyed by the travel monologue. The once-a-year group wants the full tour guide routine, but they tend to buy tickets based on price, and have little or no loyalty to my airline. Why would I want to tick off my best customers in order to please an infrequent flyer?

Flying the Song or airshow equipped airplanes provides a bonus: All the garbage I'd normally be spouting is available from the IFE system.

The PA is one of the most dangerous pieces of equipment in the cockpit. Use it with care.

 

Perhaps I hurt some peoples feelings to suggest that I don’t let the F/O make announcements. But to insure that only the bare legal minimum is spewed over the P.A. , I make the announcements. The guys coming out of the military are not trained and experienced in making many announcements and most airlines or commuters do not give a lot directions in the subject. I also instruct the F/A’s to minimize the announcements on red-eye flights. It’s all about the passenger and if the F/O gets their feelings hurt than I’m sorry. But if they want to chat on channel 9 for an hour then that’s OK.
- I balance it out a little because I do most walk- arounds.

 

I fly from ORF to CMH through BWI a lot and there is a Captain for SW that I have had the pleasure of riding with several times. This guy could be a comedian if his airline job ever gives out. All of the times I have been on a plane with him he grabs the PA while everyone is boarding and pretty much keeps everyone rolling. This has to be the best time I have had on a comercial flight. That guy just cracks me up.

 

Once again, because you dont trust the guy sitting next to you.

 

Here's an idea: If you don't like listening to PA's, bring a pair of earplugs... They're like 69 cents.

It's the Captain's job to make PA's. I've heard people complain about too many, and too few. You can't please everybody.

As far as technical jargon goes, try watching your local weather-bimbo on TV and see how much technocrap she throws in... Most folks don't know the difference between a low pressure system and low pressure tire light in their car, but that doesn't stop Melissa Storm from using language she's used to in her profession. No need to dumb it down for the masses.

Don't sweat the small stuff.

 

This reminded me of a something.

A couple years ago with my previous employer, we fly into LGA the day after all flights were cancelled for snow. Every flight the next day is full to the gills. As we sit up front figuring out how many bags we can carry to JAX, the capt decides to make a PA telling them about the Delay.

"Good morning ladies and Gentlemen...Bla..Bla..Bla, we are currently trying to find out just how many bags we can take to Jacksonville....Bla Bla Bla..We'll be on our way as soon as we can."

I looked at him and said "That may not have been the best thing to say."
Almost Instantaneously you could hear almost every FA chime in the back go off.

FA comes up and says "What did you just say? Every one back there is worried about their bag. Almost all of them are going on Cruises."

Capt gets back on the PA and tries to backpedal unsuccessfully. We taxi out with quite a few bags out on the Snow covered Ramp. Gotta love the RJ.

 

EDC757 " I balance it out because I do most walkarounds."

I do when it's raining

 

This whole thread reminds me of why working for AA is so awesome....

F/Os don't even make PAs! One less thing to do, sweet.

Actually, the only PA we make is a retarded one as we approach the gate reminding everyone to "remain seated until the CA turns off the seatbelt sign, FAs prepare for arrival and cross check." Dumb. At every other airline, the FAs make this PA. I'd rather be looking outside as we approach, not talking on the PA.

But like I said, it's kinda nice to to have to worry about making PAs anymore.

That said, if CAs offer me the PAs on my legs, I take always take 'em to practice every now and then.