I used to be one of those nerds who loved to listen to the cockpit channel on the headphones from takeof to landing. Being able listen to tower chatter, changes in headings and elevations, requests to change routes to find stable air or fly around storm cells and such really added to my enjoyment of the flight. Now it seems virtually all flights no longer offer this option.
Why have they done this?

The screaming and crying was unsettling for passengers...

My bet would be on privacy, plus they want to distract you with the entertainment system.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
I used to be one of those nerds who loved to listen to the cockpit channel on the headphones from takeof to landing. Being able listen to tower chatter, changes in headings and elevations, requests to change routes to find stable air or fly around storm cells and such really added to my enjoyment of the flight. Now it seems virtually all flights no longer offer this option.
Why have they done this?

United airlines still offers channel 9 but it is at the captains discretion. A huge part of the reason that a lot of pilots won't turn on channel 9 is for two factors.

1. Asshole ambulance chasers who listen to channel 9, record channel 9 then try and find a reason to sue the airline.

2. Passengers who listen to channel 9 then harass our cabin crew with ATC questions that they could not possibly have a the slightest clue about. Example, I'm flying a 777 from Denver to Dulles one day. In typical Dulles ATC fashion they get jacked up on their arrival flow. It's perfectly clear day but due to traffic load they give us a hold clearance.

We set up the hold, slow down to hold speed, notify dispatch, come up with a fuel plan and I am just reaching for the PA to make the announcement to the passengers when my cabin crew starts ringing me. Some jackass who was listening to channel 9 is berating my F/A's demanding to know why we are holding! He's got a flight to catch! Why is this airline trying to make him late! Do you know who I AM!!....

Easy solution Channel 9 switch OFF!

The flight attendants don't have the slightest clue when we are going to hold or divert or whatever until we tell them about it.

To answer your question those are the two primary reasons that live ATC is becoming a thing of the past. Greed, ignorance and bad behavior are the reason we can't have nice things anymore.

BTW

I still make it available on most flights.

Surestrike, thanks for that answer. I would be very fortunate indeed to fly on one of your flights, with Channel 9 turned on. I had no idea there were dickhead passengers that abused it. I always figured I was the only guy in the cabin who was interested, but then I always book a window seat so I can look out and down. Flight is still a miracle to me.
My wife says I'm a "throwback."