Or better, allow FOs to make "normal" PA announcements. Special or abnormal conditions certainly MAY warrant the captain doing the announcements, but using a blanket policy of "I do all the announcements" is unprofessional and irrational, IMO.

Trying to rationalize it with "it's okay... I offset it by doing the preflight" is ridiculous.

 

You are using a shotgun when a rifle is needed.

I hated to let my F/Os make PA announcement because they were better than I was.

IMO, PNF should do the announcements. But then I only did the walk-arounds when I was in MSP during January and February when the temperature was between 70 and 80 F.

 

I kind of like AA's way - CA makes all PA announcements.... and I like it because it's kind of a time honored tradition from the good ol' days. Plus, it's one less thing we have to do as FOs. (We've already got enough to do, especially on the Mad Dog.)

 

Like bill gates said "The average computer user has the brain power of a spider monkey." I think we could relate this too passengers.

 

As a B6 commuter, once the hatch is closed, I’d rather the crew not say anything. It interrupts my TV show!

 

I'm a military guy, maybe I should start practicing my PAs now...

Anyways, I heard this one while flying on American Eagle a few years ago. "Ladies and genntlemen, if you look outside on the left side of the aircraft, you'll notice the town of Wedlock, Texas. Mary (our flight attendant) was born and raised just outside of wedlock."

Some people got it, most people were actually looking for the town. I thought it was quite clever.

Riddler

 

Well, I am not too concerned that the F/O will make a mistake or be too lone winded. I think that the passengers like to hear from the Captain. And there are specific things I want to be said, like thanking our flight attendances. If the F.O. really really wants to make the P/A’s when he/she is the non-flying pilot I would be OK with that. It is not as big a deal as I made it out to be. But I only had one F/O ask to make P.A’s, turned out he needed the practice.

 

Boy, you must be a real JOY to fly with. I think we talked about you in our CRM training class the other day.

Nice leadership there, captain.

 

Had a United A-320 captain do this once on a trip from PHX-DEN (TED flight). Before pushback, the Captain came out to the front galley, grabbed the flight attendant PA, and proceeded to make a very laid back (relatively quick) announcement with some interesting facts. Went something like this:
"...I am assisted by First Officer Johnson. He'll be doing the driving, I'll be working the radio's. Between the two of us, we have over 20,000 hours of flight time. In flight, we'll be crusing at 520mph, and we will burn 12,000lbs of gas during the trip."

I enjoyed the laid back announcement, and since it was before pushback, I liked how he through some interesting facts at us.
During the middle of our descent into Denver, the aircraft started down VERY fast and VERY steep. Seatbelt sign was not on yet. Suddenly we encountered SEVERE turbulence. Colorado mountain wave. Very violent. The girl next to me grabbed by arm and started freaking out. As a pilot with 100's of flight hours, and glider time in colorado mountain wave, I was still slightly concerned. Having looked the captain in the eye during his PA announcement was not only enjoyable to begin the trip, but very reassuring knowing he was incharge and going to get us down safely.

Thought I would share that.
P.S. I really like:
1. The UAL captains who chat on channel 9.
2. Pilots who make the announcement from the cabin. Good ole' Independence Air philosophy.

 

I was sitting in the back one day while still at the gate. The captain proceeded to give us a briefing in preparation for our 20 minute flight to SDF. In it, he proceeded to inform us which arrival we could expect and that we will be doing an ILS approach. Who cares??, just don't lose my bags.