# How did the pilot know we were about to hit bad turbulence? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 15, 2007, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-pilot-know-we-were-about-to-hit-bad-turbulence/426474 "2007-11-15T02:30:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-pilot-know-we-were-about-to-hit-bad-turbulence/426474/21 "2007-11-16T04:01:52Z")
Aah yes. Downhill… ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-pilot-know-we-were-about-to-hit-bad-turbulence/426474/22 "2007-11-16T15:16:40Z")
Stunningly often? Yes. I also fly with my hands locked to the underside of the armrest lifting up; personally keeping the aircraft in the SKY for the entire flight - except the bathroom episodes. I fly lots. All over the US. Overseas, lived in Japan, Italy multiple years. Many and current deployments in support of US soldiers. Hate to fly? No, not really. I have a private pilot’s license but choose when I fly. I don’t go blasting off into the nearest line of thunderstorms. “We’ll just punch through this little turbulence and be on the ground in no time”. HOW ABOUT IF WE JUST CIRCLE A BIT AND WAIT UNTIL THE DAMN STORM PASSES THE AIRPORT! “I’m sorry sir, would you please stop disturbing the other passengers”. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-pilot-know-we-were-about-to-hit-bad-turbulence/426474/23 "2007-11-16T15:20:58Z")
[PIREP](http://www.weather.gov/wsom/manual/archives/ND277301.HTML) ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-pilot-know-we-were-about-to-hit-bad-turbulence/426474/24 "2007-11-16T17:12:44Z")
_Far Side_ cartoon: Pilot on intercom: “Okay folks, looks like we have some turbulence ahead” [Pilot & Copilot randomly wiggle the controls] Pilot: "Okay, looks like we are through the worst of…[knowing look to Copilot] no wait get ready for some more **turbulence!** ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-pilot-know-we-were-about-to-hit-bad-turbulence/426474/25 "2007-11-16T17:12:49Z")
[QUOTE=Rhubarb] Even tinier nitpick … I guess that’s true if by “periphery” you mean “way out in the sticks”. I did a project involving 6 different Air Route Traffic Control Centers. Of the 6, only the Dallas/Fort Worth ARTCC was even in the same city. Chicago’s is in Aurora, Seattle’s is in Auburn, and Los Angeles’ is all the way out in Palmdale! I guess Salt Lake City’s could be considered “on the periphery”, but really, once you hit the periphery of SLC, there really isn’t anything else to hit. 🙂 [/QUOTE] Um, very tiny nitpick: Palmdale is on the periphery of Los Angeles, any more. The cañons between are quite house filled, now, and the Antelope Valley Freeway is essentially part of Greater L.A. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![SiouxChief](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d6d6ee/32.png) [@SiouxChief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiouxChief)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2007, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-pilot-know-we-were-about-to-hit-bad-turbulence/426474/26 "2007-11-16T18:49:20Z")
[QUOTE=CC] If you encounter such turbulence “stunningly” often, I may never fly again. Turbulence is the worst part of flying for me and I can barely tolerate the littlest of bumps. [/QUOTE] I just imagine that I’m on a bus driving over rough potholes. It helps…try it! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-pilot-know-we-were-about-to-hit-bad-turbulence/426474.md?page=1)