B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Communication Breakdown; Distraction
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; No Specific Anomaly Occurred Unwanted Situation
General None Reported / Taken
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
Pilots are taught early on that the 121.5 frequency is used as a 'guard' frequency; to be used only in an emergency. It is intended to be used to contact with any air traffic control facility within range; and it allows a pilot to have virtually continuous coverage and communication with ATC that goes beyond any assigned approach/departure; tower or ARTCC frequency. Using the guard frequency has saved more than one pilot; not just because one airplane is dealing with an emergency; but because it allows ATC to focus resources on helping one plane without taking away the ability to safely and adequately provide services to other IFR and VFR pilots that are using and relying on the frequency.There has always been a small segment of pilots that misuse 121.5 or treat it in a way that can only be described as amateurish and unprofessional. Cat calls; silly comments; inappropriate jokes or vicious call-outs have long been an issue. That was bad enough. After all; most pilots; and certainly all professional pilots; have inadvertently made a transmission on the wrong frequency or radio. It happens when a pilot means to make a public address announcement to the cabin and accidentally broadcasts his seatbelt-sign-is coming-on speech for all the world to hear; or tells the cabin he is cleared for takeoff. It happens.But it seems that lately 121.5 has become even more of a dumping ground for improper; inappropriate commentary; especially the 'Let's go; Name!' chants that have become so prevalent. We are all entitled to our own political leanings. You and I may or may not agree on some things. We may agree on everything or on nothing. However; those comments and opinions do not belong on 121.5. The chatter has become such a distraction that a number of pilots I know; including myself; have had to stop monitoring guard because the distraction caused by such childish behavior is beginning to impede on my ability to safely monitor two frequencies; and has caused more than one legitimate ATC transmission to be missed or misunderstood. It isn't funny; it isn't cool; and it definitely doesn't help. ATC doesn't appreciate it either; because they too monitor 121.5 for aircraft in distress. They also use 121.5 to advise an aircraft that they may have missed a frequency change; which is ironic if that frequency change is a result of the misuse of 121.5.I hope the airline(s); union(s) and FAA will put something out to strongly encourage pilots to refrain from using 121.5 to display inappropriate; childish and idiotic behavior.
B737 First Officer reported that people are using 121.5 for other than necessary functions.