Are We Supposed to Clap When the Plane Lands?

Aren’t we happy that we arrived alive?

I’ve been traveling a lot for the past 8 years or so, before that, hardly much at all. I really can’t even remember the last place I went to before that time.

But I do remember one thing — everyone would clap when the plane landed. Do you remember doing that?

I remember the anticipation of the landing, the plane stopping and everyone cheering and clapping. I thought it was fun and exciting!

I’ve noticed something though in the last 8 years of my travels. No one does that anymore.

Did I miss a memo? When did all that stop and the bigger question here is why?

The reason behind the clapping

So I did a little research on this because I was super curious. I had questions and I needed answers dammit.

🤔Why did we use to clap in the first place?

🤔Did the pilots even like when we did that?

🤔Why did we all stop doing that?

And here’s what I found out.

Before I begin, these are the answers I found while I was sniffing around the world wide web. If you have different answers/theories, please do chime in!

Question #1 Why did we clap in the first place?

According to skytough.com

It is believed that we have been clapping for landings since 1948.

On November 20, 1948, an American Airlines aircraft had trouble with the landing gear instrument panel. The plane was carrying forty people on board and was circling Cincinnati airport as the pilots were trying to resolve the issue of deploying the landing gear.

When the pilots received confirmation over the radio that the searchlights were able to see the landing gear correctly deployed, the plane landed without issues. As the plane approached taxiing speed, all the passengers clapped in a thankful relief.

And there you have it. Where it all begin. I think. Well, according to Google anyway.

We clap because we did, in fact, arrive alive and we’re pretty fucking happy about that apparently. So happy, that we have been clapping about it.

So here’s the bigger question though…

Question #2 Do pilots like when we clap?

The answer is a big HELL NO!!

I found this on nowtolove.com

Multiple pilots stepped up to answer the question, but the response was unanimous, while you may have the best of intentions — don’t do it.

Scott Kinder, a 737 Captain at a Major U.S. Airline for over 10 years said, “Don’t even think about it.”

He says people have no idea what goes on in the cockpit or how easy or stressful the landing was. Not to mention, they can’t hear you anyway!

Another pilot chimed in and had this to say:

“You’re basically clapping for us for our job. That’s what we do. We don’t need applause. Do you clap when your dentist pulled a tooth successfully or when the mechanic changed your oil?”

He concluded to say it’s ‘rather insulting’.

Now that I think about it, I don’t remember anyone ever clapping for me because I did a great haircut or set of hilites (fyi-I was a hairstylist for 25 years before I became a writer).

“yesssssss bitch I love this cut and colour you are awesome and did such an amazing job…” ~applause!!!

Ya that never happened.

But one pilot did say that if the flight was rocky and somewhat turbulent (which happens sometimes) clapping for a safe landing is welcomed.

When you are stepping off the plane and the cockpit door happens to be open or a pilot is standing by the door they do say that thanking them for a safe landing is also very welcomed.

Question #3 Why did we stop?

Anyone know the answer to this one because I don’t. I tried sniffing for an answer but there isn’t a solid one.

It’s simply one of those things that quietly went away without anyone noticing. No reason or rhyme to it.

Oddly enough, every now and again when I travel and my plane lands I get my hands ready to clap and quickly stop myself. No no no iva..bad iva.

Would people think I was a weirdo? Would they join in clapping? I’m not going to find out but I’m curious still.

What are your thoughts?

I’d love to learn more about why this stopped or if people still do this. Do you have any answers to any of these questions? Do you still clap or have you been on a flight recently where the passengers did this?

What are your thoughts/experiences with this? I’d love to know!

For now, I just thank God I arrived alive 💛

ox iva xo