Pan Am Story — Clear Air Turbulence from the Captain’s Perspective

Bill Travis
Aug 7
2 min read

PAN AM Series — A Clear Air Turbulence Story You’ll Remember

This true Pan Am story about clear air turbulence blends humor with a serious safety message. For 28 years as an international airline pilot for Pan Am, I gave the same passenger announcement on every flight — but I always wished I could say it in a way people would actually hear.

The Official Version of My Turbulence Warning On every flight, I’d say:“ I’m turning the seat belt sign off; you’re free to move about the cabin as necessary. However, please keep your seat belt fastened while you’re in your seat, just in case we encounter some unexpected clear air turbulence.”

It was polite and professional — but as this Pan Am turbulence story shows, not everyone listens.

What I Really Wanted to Say:

“YO!!! Take the frickin’ headphone out of your cotton-pickin’ ear and listen! When you’re in your seat, keep that seat belt wrapped around your fat ass because if we hit turbulence without warning, your hard head is going to get clobbered by the ceiling — and I don’t want my ceiling damaged.”

In every Pan Am clear air turbulence story, one truth stands out: CAT is invisible. Sometimes you hear another pilot give the warning over the radio; sometimes it’s just “Holy Shit” — and you know it’s coming.

Why Clear Air Turbulence Happens

Jet Stream
Wake turbulence from another aircraft
Wind shear

Pan Am aircraft could handle it, but unbelted passengers couldn’t.

When It Hits

When the downdraft slams the airplane down, it drops faster than your body. You hang in the air until the ceiling meets your head — then the floor comes back up to greet you. Every Pan Am story about clear air turbulence boils down to this: turbulence doesn’t hurt planes, it hurts people without seat belts.

A Modern Reminder

Recently, a United Airlines Boeing 777 hit clear air turbulence over Kansas City. Several passengers without seat belts were injured, including one who struck the cabin wall hard enough to crack it. The flight diverted to Denver for medical care.