Why don't we clap when we land anymore?

corblimey

On my first trip to the States back in 96, I was pleasantly surprised when, upon landing, the whole cabin broke out in spontaneous applause. It wasn't a rough flight (IIRC) and the landing seemed fine, we just thought the cabin crew deserved a seated ovation. The return trip was the same, but then I didn't fly long haul for about 6 years and I've not witnessed it since.

I wouldn't've thought that back in 96, we were still "oo-ee, how do dem flying buses get so high?" so I assume it was just common courtesy. But why not still? Are we just a lot less polite than we used to be? Is it that service on most flights is gone so far downhill that any attempt at applause might be considered almost sarcastic? Are people just too cool to offer up a moment of free gratitude?

kippy

corblimey wrote: »

On my first trip to the States back in 96, I was pleasantly surprised when, upon landing, the whole cabin broke out in spontaneous applause. It wasn't a rough flight (IIRC) and the landing seemed fine, we just thought the cabin crew deserved a seated ovation. The return trip was the same, but then I didn't fly long haul for about 6 years and I've not witnessed it since.

I wouldn't've thought that back in 96, we were still "oo-ee, how do dem flying buses get so high?" so I assume it was just common courtesy. But why not still? Are we just a lot less polite than we used to be? Is it that service on most flights is gone so far downhill that any attempt at applause might be considered almost sarcastic? Are people just too cool to offer up a moment of free gratitude?

Why Not?
Ryanair.


(ie flying is more common, not as much as a big deal nowadays because of lower costs, we've become very used to it)

jaaavaaa

Do you applaud your train/bus/taxi drivers too? :rolleyes:

Clapping's not polite, it's annoying. A simple "thank you" to your crew when you get off does the job! Please, no landing claps! Some of up want to hear the engine noises and rumbles!

keane2097

Because it's lame is the short answer.

kippy

keane2097 wrote: »

Because it's lame is the short answer.

Lame is "lame" as well though and some people still use it.......

It got nothing to do with cool/uncool etc, it really is because people are so used to it..... Flying is accessible to almost anyone now, which wasnt the case in th mid nineties and before hand.

nlm1980

i think its lame too, sorry.:o

keane2097

kippy wrote: »

Lame is "lame" as well though and some people still use it.......

It got nothing to do with cool/uncool etc, it really is because people are so used to it..... Flying is accessible to almost anyone now, which wasnt the case in th mid nineties and before hand.

Why did you ask the question if you're just going to disagree with people and tell them what you think the answer is?

keane2097

oh wait you didnt ask - never mind...

kippy

keane2097 wrote: »

oh wait you didnt ask - never mind...

No bother......

JimmyFloyd

The answer is because it's ridiculous.

I don't clap when the train arrives in the station

I don't clap when the bus arrives at the stop

And i don't clap when i've been told my flight is going to cost 1c, and ends up costing €80

So why should i clap when a flight lands on the ground? It makes no sense!

kippy

Ye might like this one:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055597054

BrokenArrows

agree with the above. its lame and patronising.

clap clap clap we made it to our destination without dying horribly.

and its really annoying if you fly regularly.

It's hideous. Like clapping at the end of a film in the cinema. Just feels wrong.

Berty

Is this not more of an AH topic?

corblimey

Well yeah I first thought it might be a case of 'wooh, made it safely in the big flying metal bird', but surely in 1996, transatlantic travel was pretty much a ho-hum activity for people?

Anyhoo, since there's a similar thread in another place, this can probably be discarded?

Ponster

Berty wrote: »

Is this not more of an AH topic?

"Travel" is branching out

The first and last time I clapped was during the storms of Xmas 1999 when I decided to fly back to Paris and managed to get there just in time for the countries biggest weather event in decades. With about 400 feet to go on landing, the entire plane turned sideways in the air so that when I looked out the window, I could see right along the runway.
The pilot managed to straighten up seconds before we touched down and all was well in the end. The next morning I woke to hear that 90 people (in France) had died during the storm. So I think my applause were well deserved

Cruisy

I kinda like the clapping thing, but only when there's been turbulence or something. I remember going on a J1 to Boston in 1995, we all clapped when we landed. I think it was all the J1ers, and it'd probably annoy me now. Also think people are just too self conscious and 'cool' these days, and can't handle such overt expression of emotion...! Feck it, kids clap all the time, why can't we?

daRobot

You'll find plenty of clappers on a flight to Santa Ponza

Zaph

Pilots are trained and very well paid to get a plane off the ground, keep it in the air and get it back down to earth without leaving a big gaping hole in the ground, so why should they be applauded for doing their job? Nobody applauds me when I've just put together a particularly well written report.

enzo7

i was on a flight last week and half the plane clapped not me doe as i find it annoying:mad:. it wasnt a santa ponsa flight either.

theCzar

Nothing says "hillbilly" like clapping when a plane lands. Makes me cringe.

uoluol

Anyone who claps when a plane lands should be tortured in the most painful way possible. Gob****es...... It's my pet hate - should be consigned to room 101.

DarkJager

With all the planes crashing recently, I'd assume that more people than not would be clapping when they land safely? Not a fan myself, but at least let people have 10 seconds of enjoyment to start their holiday off..

nlm1980

i think i would go bald headed for someone if they clapped coming into cork, its always the worst feeling ever, cos i always get the holiday blues.

MultiUmm

nlm1980 wrote: »

i think i would go bald headed for someone if they clapped coming into cork, its always the worst feeling ever, cos i always get the holiday blues.

When my year came back from a ski tour in Italy we clapped when the plane landed in Cork, even though it was grey skies vs. snow covered mountains. :cool:

Then again, we are 14-15 year olds sooo ..

Bluetonic

Great thread.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxAKFlpdcfc

brettmirl

The last two times I've been on a plane and people clapped...

About 2 years ago, was on a flight from Dublin to Krakow. 90% Polish on the flight and they all clapped once we landed in Krakow.

In April this year was on a US Airways flight from LAX to LAS. It was one of the most turbulent flights I was ever on. The captain had requested the flight crew to take their seats too. Once that plane landed the passengers all clapped. There was a lot of green looking faces at baggage reclaim!

Munster Gal

Zaph wrote: »

Pilots are trained and very well paid to get a plane off the ground, keep it in the air and get it back down to earth without leaving a big gaping hole in the ground, so why should they be applauded for doing their job? Nobody applauds me when I've just put together a particularly well written report.

You've never flown with Garuda then?;) You'd be forgiven for assuming they allow the youngest passenger on board land the plane!
FWIW I don't get the clapping thing at all.