If you’re nervous about airplanes, you’re probably familiar with the assortment of unusual sounds they make, particularly during take-off and landing.
Understanding these noises can be reassuring, as it prepares you for any unexpected sounds without causing alarm.
Fortunately, an American Airlines pilot has provided some insights.
Steve, known on TikTok as @captainsteeeve, posted a video explaining the significance of the ‘ding’ sounds and how frequently they occur during a flight.
“So, you’re sitting in the back of the airplane and you hear [a ding]. And you think, hmm, is that a random ding, is there a purpose behind that ding? Well, the answer is yes,” he explains in the video.
“I chime the flight attendants three separate times during the flight on purpose.
“The first time is as we’re taxiing out and you’ll hear the announcement, ‘flight attendants prepare for departure’.
“Shortly after that I’m cleared for takeoff, when I’m cleared to go onto the runway and takeoff I give them a ding, that’s their final warning, take a seat, we’re about to takeoff.”
https://www.tiktok.com/@username/video/7441261865977629998
Steve continues by noting that when the plane is ascending, he sends another ding to indicate to the flight attendants that it’s safe to leave their seats and begin their service.
As the aircraft begins its descent, Steve uses the third and final ding to alert the flight attendants: “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.”
The video was well-received, with many viewers finding comfort in understanding the meaning behind the sounds.
“Thank you. Those chimes are so anxiety provoking..now I know!!” commented one viewer.
Another added: “A nervous flyer here. I appreciate knowing this! I absolutely associate those dings with ‘seatbelts!! it’s about to get bumpy!!'”
However, some confessed that the dings still trigger anxiety.
One person shared: “The dings give me anxiety.”
Another joked: “The first ding means the Pilot has passed out. The double ding means the co-pilot has also passed out.”
And a third commented: “Don’t do that again, we already stressed.”
Some users on TikTok mentioned that they had always thought the dings were signals from passengers needing assistance from the flight attendants.