Several decades ago, a small group of us software types flew the LAX-BOS red eye to MacWorld. We had about 30 passengers on a 150-seat A320.
Shortly after takeoff, the co-pilot (Sorry, First Officer) came wandering down the aisle.
At that time, the Mississippi river was experiencing record flood levels. I asked the First Officer (FO) if he would be so kind as to tell us when the Mississippi was in sight. He sat down with us and we proceeded to tell flight squawk jokes...
Pilot to Maintenance: "Dead bugs on the windscreen" - Maintenance: Live bugs on back order".
Pilot to Maintenance: "Autoland rough" - Maintenance: "Autoland not installed on aircraft"
Pilot to Maintenance: "Left main gear tire almost needs replacing" - Maintenance: "Left main gear tire almost replaced"
And so forth...
Then the FO went forward and the Pilot in Command (PIC) came directly to us, sat down & we did a lot more flight jokes.
For the rest of the trip, the front office announced "We're banking, get on the left side to see Bryce Canyon". And "Get on the right side, this is the Grand Canyon". And lots more.
A personal guided tour of America at Mach 0.85.
Post 9/11, that just won't happen anymore.
Verum audaces non gerunt indusia alba. - Ipsi dixit MCMLXXII
