Have you ever been startled by those mysterious “dings” during a flight and wondered if they signal danger? According to Captain Steve Scheibner, a seasoned pilot with American Airlines, those sounds are far from alarming – they’re just routine communication.
Reportedly, in a video on TikTok Captain Scheibner explained the purpose behind those noises, putting flyers at ease.
“These are plenty of sounds on a flight that passengers hear but don’t fully understand,” he said, according to Newsweek, adding, “The dings are not random – they’re signals for the crew.”
So, what do these chimes mean? Captain Scheibner revealed three specific instances where pilots use these sounds to communicate with cabin crew:
- The first ding comes as the aircraft is cleared for takeoff. “I let the crew know, ‘this is it,’ so they’re prepared for departure,” he shared, as reported by Newsweek.
- Another chime occurs as the plane climbs past 10,000 feet. This is the green light for flight attendants to begin their in-flight service. “Below 10,000 feet, it’s usually too bumpy for them to move around safely,” he added.
- The final ding is heard when descending below 10,000 feet, singnalling the crew to wrap up their tasks and secure the cabin for landing.
While passengers might link these sounds to turbulence or emergencies, Captain Scheibner assured that they are simply part of the crew’s workflow. “If I don’t use the signal, the attendants stay seated, waiting for the all-clear,” he said.
For travellers still uneasy about those in-flight sounds, the pilot’s explanation provides some much-needed clarity and perhaps a reason to relax on their next journey.
