While you’re sitting on the plane waiting for takeoff, your airline pilot might activate a “ding” sound mid-flight — but what does that sound actually mean?
In an already viral video that has garnered nearly 10 million views, an American Airlines pilot shared an insight into what these mysterious “sounds” are all about.
Known as Captain Steve on TikTok and posting under the handle @captainsteeeve, the pilot shared a video discussing the meaning of “chimes” and the importance of the number of times you hear the chirp.
“So you’re sitting in the back of the plane and you listen [a ding]. And you think, hmm, is this a random thing, is there a purpose behind that thing?” Captain Steve can be heard saying in his video.
“Well, the answer is yes.”
The pilot said he rings the flight crew three separate times during the flight – and each bell has its own meaning.
The only first sound passengers can hear is when the plane is taxiing away, which is soon followed by the announcement that flight attendants must prepare for departure.
“Shortly after that, I’m clear for takeoff, and when I’m cleared to go to the runway and take off, I flash the ‘no smoking’ sign on and off and make a noise,” the pilot said. .
“This is their last warning. Take a seat. We are ready to rise.”
He then gives the flight crew another beep when they are flying through the 10,000 foot mark, alerting them that it is safe to take off and begin service.
The third and final “ding” occurs as the plane descends.
Captain Steve said that as the plane makes its descent through 10,000 feet, he gives the flight attendants one final beep to let them know “[they’ve] we only have a few minutes left to clean everything up and leave because we’re ready to land now.”
Social media users in the comments section shared their personal thoughts on the meaning of the “sounds”, with many admitting that they didn’t realize there was any specific rhyme or reason to the sound.
“I just realized it’s none of my business,” one user commented.
“I thought it was someone asking for service from the flight attendant. The more you know,” shared another TikTok creator.
“Also a nervous ordeal here. I appreciate knowing that! I absolutely associate those things with ‘seat belts!! It’s about to get bumpy!!’” one user added.
Others appeared surprised that the “chiming” sound coming from the pilots was made by flashing the “no smoking” sign on and off.
“You would think [that] as advanced as airplanes [are] there would be a certain ding key labeled ‘ding,’” commented another.
Apparently, not all “sounds” are the same. Depending on the airline, the sounds or the number of times passengers hear a bell in a row may mean something else.
A major airline pilot provided more insight into what the various “sounds” mean for flying.
“Each airline uses that feature in different ways, but similarly, we use announcements to get flight attendants to prepare for takeoff and landing,” the pilot, who asked not to be named, told Fox News Digital. to be removed for privacy reasons.
She said the airline she works for has a button with a “double beep” that goes out as a way to let the flight crew know it’s time to make a “10,000-foot announcement.”
That briefing also serves as a notice that flight attendants may take off.
The pilot also noted that the double bell is used by the captain a second time to warn the crew that they are close to landing and that they should return to the jump sites soon.
Another major airline pilot who flies in the US told Fox News Digital that “sounds” are just one way of communicating.
“More often than not, we’ll sound the intercom on board to talk directly to them, forward and backward, for greater clarity,” the pilot said.
While different “sounds” may present themselves differently, the purpose behind the sound is to keep everyone safe.
“I am very impressed with our safety culture,” he continued.
“We are encouraged to be very proactive about protecting passengers and flight attendants from turbulence injuries.”
Fox News Digital reached out to TikTok pilot Captain Steve for comment.
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Image Source : nypost.com