Tuning into to pilot's chatter while on a plane?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>So about 7 years ago, I was on a flight, fiddling with the in-plane radio. (I was 10, had no iPod, and was trying to find something to pass the time). Well I don't know how, but I accidentally switched to a channel that allowed me to hear our pilot communicate with the surrounding pilots. I was too young to understand, or care, but as I look back on it now, I can't help but think how freakin' cool that was! </p>

<p>Sadly I've never been able to do it again :&lt;/p>

<p>Has anyone else had this 'awesome' experience? :D</p>

2

<p>United is the only airline on which you can do this I believe. It’s called channel 9.</p>

3

<p>Oh really? I didn’t know that, but thanks xD. Yeah, my plane was United, I remember because we only fly United to Europe, so we haven’t been on a United flight since.</p>

4

<p>Yea, I’ve done this before. I can’t remember if I was on a United flight though. The pilot actually told us what channel we could tune in to if we wanted to hear them talking.</p>

5

<p>Yep–United. One day I heard Air Force One calling for a clearance.</p>

6

<p>^You’re kidding, right?</p>

7

<p>Channel 9 is definitely one of the best things about United. I hope they keep it after the merger.</p>

<p>You can listen to live ATC chatter online, though I quickly lose interest when I’m not actually on one of the planes. Google liveatc.</p>

8

<p>Seriously? You can listen in on live ATC conversatons between pilots/ground? That’s awesome, especially for a guy whose favorite video game’s FSX =)</p>

<p>Though I’d think certain situations that pilots and ground go through maybe a little too scary for normal passengers.</p>

9

<p>Nope, not kidding at all re AF1. It was regional ATC, which covers a number of states. If AF1 is landing at a commercial airport, I assume it has to be handled by FAA ATC.</p>