We made it! Give the crew a round of applause!

[comanchepilot]

This is more so directed at those who drive the heavy iron, but generally applies to all who carry passengers...

When did the passengers make the collective decision to clap when the airplane lands after a flight? I am not talking about the crew using their finely manicured skill to mitigate disaster and bring the plane safely to the ground, I am talking about regular flights during which there are no abnormalities.

I direct this to those who fly the big iron because you are on the receiving end of it, and probably hear more of it on a regular basis than those who fly something such as a 1900 or PC-12 (though I have never been so couldn't say from personal experience).

Does it bother/insult you when people clap? As if they basically expected throughout the entire flight that you were going to lawn-dart it, and are just happy that they made it alive. Or, do you appreciate it?

Personally, though I am only just getting out of school and haven't flown for hire yet, I have already decided that it is an insult for my passengers to clap just because we made it to the destination intact.

Thoughts?

[niss]

I know we always clap on flights to Israel (only flights outside of North America I have been on) and flights within Canada & US were none clappers.

[ScudRunner]

I got use to this when flying the Tourist around in a 206 and such. The first time they broke out in aplause I almost had a heart attack, I thought there was something wrong with the gear.

Flying down to Aus and NZ even Asia I didn't notice anyone clap. However I'm sure that many had the clap after there trip to Bangkok,but I think its more of a European thing. In Northern Manitoba I found it more of a local custom to pile garbage and dirty baby diaper or chicken bones on the floor to show apreciation for a job well done.

I grew to apreciate these gestures but I prefer applause, kind of a well done pat on the back.

[Chickaddd]

Pilots are doing their job, so I find the clapping retarded. but maybe i'm just jealous because no one claps when I do my job ,

[comanchepilot]

I just find it odd that there of all places (an airplane) people decide to clap, you don't clap when you get off a city bus or when a cabbie drops you off despite roads being far more dangerous than the skies.

I am sure a cashier would be pretty pissed/embarrassed if you gave him/her a round of applause for getting you through the checkout with your Mr. Noodles and and Cheetos in average time.

[Wacko]

I find that a lot of 2nd world class countries have people clap on landings... I think 1. flying is not as common as in the g8. 2. there is no way for the passengers to "thank you" (the pilot) on a flight... so they do the next best thing... if you get insulted over a bunch of people clapping to thank you.. you have issues.

[4Stroke]

I see it as a sign of appreciation - - - not necessarily pointed towards me or my crew specifically, but that there was some *obstacle* that was overcome, and they have arrived where they want / need to be.

for example, being plauged with weather delays on departure, or some mechanical that delays boarding.....I think they are just generally happy to be where their ticket said they would be.

However, I do feel a wee bit of pride when after warning them of an impending bumpy ride on approach, we fly to a near-greaser landing, that sound of applause coming through my noise-cancelling headset is quite welcome, thank you very much.

.......to me it says there is still some civility left in commercial air travel.

4Stroke

[SkyWolfe]

As a passenger once I remember being on such a flight... People clapped I think because we had been on the plane for 7.5 hours to our vacation spot... I figured it was half because most of the passengers got severely drunk.... And EVERYTHING seemed cool. Or... Perhaps it was because we were crammed on a tin can (my knees where in the seat in front of me and I am not very big...) for 7.5 hours and now we FINALLY get to start our vacation...


That is the passenger perspective... or so I think....

Wolfie

[CID]

Clapping means different things in different cultures. From the North American perspective I think it's often just an expression of relief after a tense or problematic flight.

I don't think the clapping is normally directed at the flight crew however. I think it's just a collective celebration with your fellow passengers with whom you've shared the ordeal.

[Brantford Beech Boy]

Clapping is nice.

I prefer the cash appreciation.

BBB

[NAT2]

Clapping is nice.

I prefer the cash appreciation.

BBB

So you can pay me not to tell anybody about it?

Although those that know me tend to applaud when I find the airport on the first try and avoid getting hit by UPS trucks.

[Doc]

I hate it when they all run off and start kissing the ground!

[BoostedNihilist]

.

[THEICEMAN]

Have you guys ever taken a Transat flight full of Quebecers?
There is some mad clap action that goes on after touchdown!

[Siddley Hawker]

Nothing wong with clapping. Beats the screaming they did after some of my landings.

Clap clap, who got da clap?

[Freddy_Francis]

It is definietly a European thing....whenever I fly into or out of Italy there is clapping! I wouldn't take it as an insult if your bringing some friends for a flight in a 172 or another light aeroplane. Everyone i've ever talk to thinks im a hero just for doing my training in one of those "dangerous" machines. Not to hijack the thread but whenever someone tells me about the scary flight they had on a "small" airplane "like" the ones I fly and then I find out their talking about a Dash-8 NOT a 172. I can understand being afraid of something but if your not comfortable about something FUCKING LEARN MORE ABOUT IT!....ok im rambling....don't take offence to the clapping, my opinion most passengers want a medal just for going in a light aeroplane...ok im rambling again and getting pissed....fly safe whether they clap or dont!

Ps- This can tie into the superstition/traditions thread

[still_bluenoser]

Cmon pilots, its not all about you! I only clap if the attendants are hot!

[bmc]

I travel alot. Too much. All of it international. All of it in business class.

The only time I heard clapping was on charter flights to/from Montreal, which weren't many flights. The only sched flt was a Sabena flight to Montreal from Brussels in 2001.

It's kinda tacky.

[Rockie]

You can choose to be gracious about it and accept the compliment or you can get insulted. It's up to you.

[Rowdy]

Whats with pilots and gettin the clap?

[ScudRunner]

you speaking from personal experiance there Rowdy?

[bob sacamano]

I travel alot. Too much. All of it international. All of it in business class.

Ok, so you fly business, you want us to clap for you

[bmc]

I travel alot. Too much. All of it international. All of it in business class.

Ok, so you fly business, you want us to clap for you

I'm not paying for it. It's company policy. I should complain?

[FL_CH]

I found that clapping has sometimes more to do with FINALLY arriving at the destination, and being happy about it, more so that landing safely etc. Especially if it was a good flight with good service and some drinks served

[bob sacamano]

I travel alot. Too much. All of it international. All of it in business class.

Ok, so you fly business, you want us to clap for you

I'm not paying for it. It's company policy. I should complain?

Yes you should complain until they fly you J class.