'Meow, meow': Pilots scolded after animal noises heard on air traffic control frequency
"Meow ... meow!"
The animal sounds heard over an air traffic control frequency were not from a cat loose on the plane, but human pilots making animal noises.
The meowing occurred over an air traffic control frequency at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on April 12. The audio was recorded and obtained from ATC.com.
The pilots were quickly scolded, with someone else on the frequency saying, "You guys need to be professional pilots." The scolding was met with more meows and barks.
"This is why you still fly an RJ," the other person told the pilots. "RJ" means regional jet. Many early-career pilots get their start flying for regional airlines.
In a statement, the Federal Aviation Administration said regulations prohibit pilots from "engaging in non-essential conversations when they're below 10,000 feet altitude" and that the agency investigates all situations where pilots may have violated the rules.
The FAA said the audio of the meowing comes from a third-party source but said the agency will investigate once they have verified it.
Dennis Tajer, pilot and spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association, the union which represents American Airlines pilots, said he has heard meowing on the "guard" frequency before.
The guard frequency is used infrequently by pilots and controllers because it is reserved for emergencies.
"It's not entertainment, it's a serious frequency and it has a serious purpose," Tajer said. "Anything that contaminates that with idle humor or any kind of schtick is not received well and it should stop."
Tajer had a message for the meowing pilots: "For the few individuals out there that do it: stop, join us, stay safe and we'll keep that frequency sacred and protected."
