Why does the captain speak to the passengers before even push-back, but after landing, there is nothing?

Question

It is quite the same on every airline: Before take-off, the captain tells this stupid things to passengers, which are always the same ("hello, my name is....., I would like to welcome you on this flight from X to Y, we will have a a delayed push back at XX:XX because of some airway congestion, our off-block time will be YY:YY, we would like to welcome you once again).....

I mean, what is the reason to do this, besides of addressing some worried passengers???

And why would they not say anything once they are arrived?

I just feel like, they have to address the passengers before take-off because of a (stupid) airline policy..... To calm down some worried passengers, if you will....::: If the policy wouldn't exist, they would not speak one word to the pax.....(because they even don't wanna speak to the pax)..... But they have to....

And after landing, you almost hear NOTHING from the pilots!!! So WHY????? Just because you are now safe, this doesn't mean that they don't say anything!

Answer 1

Taxiing is a critical phase during which the pilots are not allowed to bullshit over the public address system or say anything promoting the airline, such as "We appreciate your considering us in you future travel plans."

Pushback is not a critical phase of flight--it is not any phase of flight--and is not governed by the sterile cockpit regulation.

What kind of airline are you flying on?

Answer 2

well as the guy from Canada says they do talk prior landing, they say that ..."in about so and so we are starting our descent... ending it with in behalf of this airline this is the captain ... and the rest of the crew thanking you for flying with us.Enjoy your stay in the city..." I am saying this because in Asia all the big names do make this speech. ex. Cathay, SQ, PAL, Thai & MH.

Answer 3

They are busy crackin' open brewskis.

Answer 4

Pilots don't 'have' to say a darned thing to you before pushback - it's mainly a courtesy - a general welcome, and to let you hear the voice of authority, to helpfully put you at ease.  After landing, they are involved with radio transimissions with the tower and want to remain attentive to these.  That's why the flight attendants do the speaking upon landing.

Answer 5

someone posted the FAR number, but mostly it has to do with federal and company procedures that prohibit us from doing announcements while moving on the ground...unless we come on to say remain seated with your seat belts fastened...for example if we are in the gate area and come to stop and are not at the gate people seem to get up anyway so we'll come on the PA to say remain seated with your seat belts until the seat belt signs come off...

Answer 6

yeah, I'll second the Canadian Answerers. Our airlines' captains do talk to the passengers on the PA after landing.

They usually do not speak to the pax because the people are all getting ready to leave, the pax don't really care since they're down safely already, there isn't much to say anyways.

Besides, the pilots have lots of work to do even though they've landed. reports, talking to ATC, checking in for their gate, checking acft systems etc.

Most accidents happen near the ground and there are tons of taxi accidents each year, most thankfully, are minor.

Answer 7

You are soooooo right.

Answer 8

I don't know what airline you fly, but here at home in Canada, our pilots not only greet, inform us when we are about to land, but once landed, they thank us for choosing their particular airline and say things like, "enjoy your stay in this beautiful city', "the weather is such and such, and the time is such and such". Maybe you should change airlines.

Answer 9

It's all about what other tasks are being accomplished in the cockpit at the time.  The safe operation of the airplane is the number one priority.

Before pushback, the plane is not moving.  It's a non-critical phase of flight.  Ground movement, takeoff, and landing are critical phases of flight.  You'll hear minimal, if any, announcements from the flight deck at these times.  The work isn't over when the wheels touch the ground.  Taxiing requires the full attention of all crewmembers.

When do you hear the most announcements?  Before pushback and during cruise.  Those are the least busy phases of flight, so the pilot can safely divert attention from operational activities and chat with the passengers.  But during those critical phases of flight, the task of operating the airplane is the top and only priority up front.

Answer 10

Mostly they do speak - before take off and after landing.

Answer 11

Maybe it is because he is too busy wiping the the sweat of relief off his brow at the fact he landed safely! HaHa!

Answer 12

Why is it such a big deal to say something after you have landed? The captain already tells you when your going to descend during the flight.

Answer 13

When pilots are at the jetway of their destination or before pushback at their departure airport (at least this is what happens on Canadian Airlines), that's when they talk to the passengers.. Airports can be busy places and taxiing, landing and taking off requires the pilot's full attention.. Just look at the incident between a Northwest Airlines aircraft and a WestJet aircraft last year at San Francisco... Even though it had nothing to do with talking to the passengers, the Westjet aircraft almost collided with the Northwest Airlines aircraft that was taking off...

This is why you seldom hear from the pilots during taxi, takeoff and landing.

Answer 14

On every flight I've been on, the captain speaks to us before landing.  And usually stands at the cockpit door greeting every passenger as they deplane.

You feel like "they" address pax because they're required to?

Bit of a sweeping generalization, don't you think?  I know plenty of pilots who are as friendly as anyone you'd want to meet, and who don't mind speaking to people at all.  Long as you're not in airline management.  (note to pilots:  that's a J-O-K-E)

Not to mention which, how many airline pilots would do anything because "management" wanted them to?  (note to pilots:  that's a J-O-K-E, too)

And don't forget......."they" know why you fly, too.

Answer 15

I don't think I've ever had a silent pilot after landing.. be it in Canada or elsewhere. I second other people's answers on that here