As a fellow pilot, I really appreciate how you broke this down. The turbulence section is spot on and I like the reminder that firm landings are often the safer call. Passengers rarely see the why behind our decisions, so putting it out there helps bridge that gap.
Appreciate the reply. Makes me wonder…What’s your favorite myth passengers bring up on almost every flight that you wish we could retire for good? Mine is Chem trails 😂
I have wished that passengers could listen to a high altitude center sector and hear that 20% of the radio talk is pilots looking for a smoother altitude and flying at the smoother altitude even when it costs more in fuel burn
On a recent arrival into LCY we had what I call a slam (rather than hard) landing. Bloody hell, I thought (ok, my internal dialogue was a bit more sweary than that), until I remembered how difficult the approach to that airport is. Any landing that has me deplaning via steps or airbridge is a success in my books.
You nailed it, London City is one of the trickiest airports I have flown into (numerous times).
The approach is a steep 5.5° glide (almost double the usual angle), the runway is short, and crosswinds are common. At LCY we’re not chasing soft landings, we’re aiming for a precise touchdown right at the start of the runway. If we float too far, it’s an automatic go-around. Some aircraft do settle a bit more smoothly depending on their landing gear, but most of the time it’s about touchdown zone and stopping distance, not comfort.
I’m not a pilot. Don’t even play one on tv. But what about Midway Airport in Chicago? I’ve landed there a few times and I refer to it as landing on an aircraft carrier. Coming in high and then landing short.
As a commercial pilot, I can verify this. All of it. When I board an airline airplane, I take this with me. It's often said of pilots, "flying an airplane is either rountine, or seconds of extraordinary fear." I'm here to verify that, and not just on the airlines, but all airplanes.
Also, planes are designed with safety precautions on top of the safety precautions. Those air masks that drop down in case of pressure loss? In the toilets, there are two of them. Think about it. 8-)
This is such a good article. As a flight anxiety person, I find your post extremely helpful and informative. Turbulence always makes me feel like we are going to nosedive any second. But reading this, now I feel silly even thinking that.
Point #6 goes a long way toward explaining why people complain about flying. We know pilots don’t set baggage fees, and there’s a certain logic to charging the passengers who use the service of moving their bags to their destinations.
Bottom line, the airlines try to squeeze every penny they can out of their customers, and the ‘hurry up and wait’ nature of air travel annoys virtually everyone. And don’t get me started on the subject of other travelers. If you want to have your faith in humanity destroyed…
As a frequent airline traveler, I have very few complaints. Where some passengers may be excited to pop a Xanax or have the drink cart show up, I feel most relaxed as the cabin door shuts. I believe most pilots take their responsibility very seriously. Thank you!
I flew a lot on business in my life, and would always thank the flightcrew whilst exiting the plane (I’m still trying to figure out who invented the verb “de-plane” ;-) ). I do have to admit that if the landing was particularly smooth, and the flight deck door is open, I can’t resist paying a “you really greased the landing” compliment.
As a fellow pilot, I really appreciate how you broke this down. The turbulence section is spot on and I like the reminder that firm landings are often the safer call. Passengers rarely see the why behind our decisions, so putting it out there helps bridge that gap.
Thanks for your honest feedback CC!🙏🏻
Appreciate the reply. Makes me wonder…What’s your favorite myth passengers bring up on almost every flight that you wish we could retire for good? Mine is Chem trails 😂
I have wished that passengers could listen to a high altitude center sector and hear that 20% of the radio talk is pilots looking for a smoother altitude and flying at the smoother altitude even when it costs more in fuel burn
absolutely!
I don’t mind mild turbulence. I find that it helps me fall asleep on long flights.
On a recent arrival into LCY we had what I call a slam (rather than hard) landing. Bloody hell, I thought (ok, my internal dialogue was a bit more sweary than that), until I remembered how difficult the approach to that airport is. Any landing that has me deplaning via steps or airbridge is a success in my books.
You nailed it, London City is one of the trickiest airports I have flown into (numerous times).
The approach is a steep 5.5° glide (almost double the usual angle), the runway is short, and crosswinds are common. At LCY we’re not chasing soft landings, we’re aiming for a precise touchdown right at the start of the runway. If we float too far, it’s an automatic go-around. Some aircraft do settle a bit more smoothly depending on their landing gear, but most of the time it’s about touchdown zone and stopping distance, not comfort.
I’m not a pilot. Don’t even play one on tv. But what about Midway Airport in Chicago? I’ve landed there a few times and I refer to it as landing on an aircraft carrier. Coming in high and then landing short.
Nothing compared to London City, but yes it can be a challenging one 👍🏻
As a commercial pilot, I can verify this. All of it. When I board an airline airplane, I take this with me. It's often said of pilots, "flying an airplane is either rountine, or seconds of extraordinary fear." I'm here to verify that, and not just on the airlines, but all airplanes.
Loved this piece! I think clapping is more of an American thing, didn't realise it was even a thing until I lived in the US, kinda cool!
Is #3 misstated? Love these articles! So helpful
Yes absolutely... Thanks! Corrected ✅😊
In Spain it's very common for the passengers to applaud the pilots at touchdown.
And I always make a point of thanking the pilots for bringing me safely to wherever I am flying.
Thank you!
Also, planes are designed with safety precautions on top of the safety precautions. Those air masks that drop down in case of pressure loss? In the toilets, there are two of them. Think about it. 8-)
Yep! 😆
You could’ve left 6 out. We all know bags have weight.
Point taken! 👍🏻
This is such a good article. As a flight anxiety person, I find your post extremely helpful and informative. Turbulence always makes me feel like we are going to nosedive any second. But reading this, now I feel silly even thinking that.
Point #6 goes a long way toward explaining why people complain about flying. We know pilots don’t set baggage fees, and there’s a certain logic to charging the passengers who use the service of moving their bags to their destinations.
Bottom line, the airlines try to squeeze every penny they can out of their customers, and the ‘hurry up and wait’ nature of air travel annoys virtually everyone. And don’t get me started on the subject of other travelers. If you want to have your faith in humanity destroyed…
As a frequent airline traveler, I have very few complaints. Where some passengers may be excited to pop a Xanax or have the drink cart show up, I feel most relaxed as the cabin door shuts. I believe most pilots take their responsibility very seriously. Thank you!
I loved turbulence in an ATR 42/72 turboprop in nasty weather. Travel plus E-ticket thrills! Wheeeee!
👍🏻😂
I flew a lot on business in my life, and would always thank the flightcrew whilst exiting the plane (I’m still trying to figure out who invented the verb “de-plane” ;-) ). I do have to admit that if the landing was particularly smooth, and the flight deck door is open, I can’t resist paying a “you really greased the landing” compliment.
Thank you for getting us where we’re going safely.