I used to have some fear of flying, and listening to channel 9 helped me get over it, because I learned more about how safe and expected turbulence was, and how familiar everyone was with the various procedures and in-flight events.
I'm not sure everyone would have the same reaction, but I found it very calming. Maybe the fact that people like to listen to ATC conversations in order to relax is a good sign for the likely effects on many passengers.
It's true that you could occasionally learn about an error or a dangerous event that you wouldn't otherwise have been aware of at all, but I also think many passengers would be impressed by how professionally problems are usually handled. I've been on two flights that had to divert (for a bird strike and a passenger medical issue, respectively) and one flight that had a missed approach and go-around (in very high crosswinds), and, while none of them had channel 9, I'm quite confident that ATC was prepared to handle these situations and that many passengers would also have been impressed to have heard those conversations.
I'm happy to admit that getting more information about what's going on wouldn't always be comfortable or reassuring to everyone, though.
Same here. I’ve watched a lot of air accident breakdowns and read more than a few NTSB reports. The way safety is a core of commercial aviation is just incredible and so far beyond everything I see in daily life. The way cars are handle is positively horrific.
I'm not sure everyone would have the same reaction, but I found it very calming. Maybe the fact that people like to listen to ATC conversations in order to relax is a good sign for the likely effects on many passengers.
It's true that you could occasionally learn about an error or a dangerous event that you wouldn't otherwise have been aware of at all, but I also think many passengers would be impressed by how professionally problems are usually handled. I've been on two flights that had to divert (for a bird strike and a passenger medical issue, respectively) and one flight that had a missed approach and go-around (in very high crosswinds), and, while none of them had channel 9, I'm quite confident that ATC was prepared to handle these situations and that many passengers would also have been impressed to have heard those conversations.
I'm happy to admit that getting more information about what's going on wouldn't always be comfortable or reassuring to everyone, though.