I’m an airline pilot – here’s why there are three specific ‘dings’ when you’re flying, and what they mean
AN AIRLINE pilot has explained exactly what those “dings” mean when you’re flying.
Captain Steve has become a favourite among viewers on social media thanks to his informative videos and insider knowledge about planes.
And in a recent TikTok, the pilot decided to answer the numerous requests he’d received asking what the different chimes mean during a flight.
“Is there a rhyme or a reason? Well, the answer is yes!” he said.
“I chime the flight attendants three separate times during the flight on purpose.”
The first chime is as they’re “taxiing” – getting the plane into position for take off – to alert the flight attendants to prepare for departure.
“Shortly after that, I’m cleared for take off,” he continued.
“When I’m cleared to go onto the runway and take off, I turn that no-smoking sign on and off and I give them a ding.
“That’s their final warning. Take a seat. We’re about to take off.”
The next is as they “climb through 10,000 feet”, when Steve dings the no smoking sign again to let the attendants know it’s “safe to get up now out of their seat and start their service”.
And the third and final ding is to tell the attendants to “prepare for landing”.
“As we’re coming back down through 10,000 feet, I ding them one more time,” he added.
“That way they know they’ve only got a few minutes left to get everything cleaned up and put away because we’re about to land.”
“Discover the purpose behind the mysterious dings you hear during flights,” he captioned the video.
“Captain Steve explains the significance of these signals, ensuring flight attendants are prepared for departure, service, and landing.
“Stay informed about your flying experience!”
And people were quick to take to the comments section to thank Captain Steve for sharing the informative video.
“Thank you, now I know!” one wrote.
Plane etiquette
IF you're planning on going away any time soon, you'll need to pay attention to the following unwritten plane etiquette rules...
RECLINING SEAT: Podcast host and etiquette expert Nick Leighton explained that you shouldn’t recline your seat if the passenger behind you is working on their laptop.
He said: “Nobody likes their laptop snapped in half.”
Before you recline your seat, it’s best to check to see what the passenger behind you is doing.
If they are on a laptop, ask before you move your seat back.
FEET: A flight attendant told The Sun: “Your boarding card tells you a number and a letter, this will be the reserved seat that you have paid for.
“Your feet, which are attached to your body, should do their best to reside within this space and stay far away from anyone else.
“If you do insist on stretching out, please make sure your feet are covered up.”
CHAT: TV travel expert Samantha Brown explained that conversations from strangers aren’t welcome, suggesting that others shouldn’t expect a chat.
She added: “I’m not a talker. Plane time is me time.”
“I thought it was someone pushing the call button,” another laughed.
“Nervous flyer here,” a third commented.
“I appreciate knowing this!
“I absolutely associate those dings with ‘seatbelts!! it’s about to get bumpy!!'”
“I actually like that sound, it reminds me I’m going on vacation,” someone else added.
“I love your channel,” another praised.
” All of your videos are very educational. Thank you so much!”
“As a frequent flyer, I figured these out on my own as a kid,” someone else said.