Narrative:

I was pilot flying on this leg. On descent; we got an ACARS message which I didn't acknowledge because we were on a tight descent into atlanta; and I was involved in checklists; ensuring the correct approach and data were set; and so forth and so on. I elected to delay acknowledging the message until we were on the ground. We met our crossing and speed restrictions; checked on with approach and tower; and landed normally. Just as I was nearing the end of the high speed as I exited 26R; I heard a very loud 'SELCAL' aural message. This aural message came at the exact moment when the tower controller was giving us further taxi/hold short instructions; and due to the extreme volume of the message; I entirely missed what the controller was trying to tell us. I had the first officer verify the instructions rather than risk movement which I was not certain about. The message was from crew scheduling.the volume of this aural message can only be described as 'shocking' when it comes at a critical time such as this. We did not pass a hold short; or taxi the wrong way; that I am aware of-but I can certainly see how confusion could arise. We absolutely must fix this problem. There is no logical reason for the ACARS aural message to be screaming in my ear during such a critical time. It appears to me that this message came about 15 to 20 seconds from touchdown. This is obviously a very dangerous time to have any distractions; no matter what airport we are operating at. I would like to re-iterate how loud this aural message is; and how it is almost impossible to hear what you are being told to do. Given the life or death implications of screwing up a hold short/taxi clearance at any airport; we must not take chances with something which is so easily preventable. The screaming ACARS message in my ear is unacceptable while I am anywhere around an active runway.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A CRJ-200 Captain expressed his displeasure with very loud automated SELCAL aural alerts for non critical messages during critical phases of flight.

Narrative: I was pilot flying on this leg. On descent; we got an ACARS message which I didn't acknowledge because we were on a tight descent into Atlanta; and I was involved in checklists; ensuring the correct approach and data were set; and so forth and so on. I elected to delay acknowledging the message until we were on the ground. We met our crossing and speed restrictions; checked on with approach and Tower; and landed normally. Just as I was nearing the end of the high speed as I exited 26R; I heard a very loud 'SELCAL' aural message. This aural message came at the exact moment when the Tower Controller was giving us further taxi/hold short instructions; and due to the extreme volume of the message; I entirely missed what the Controller was trying to tell us. I had the First Officer verify the instructions rather than risk movement which I was not certain about. The message was from crew scheduling.The volume of this aural message can only be described as 'shocking' when it comes at a critical time such as this. We did not pass a hold short; or taxi the wrong way; that I am aware of-but I can certainly see how confusion could arise. We absolutely MUST FIX this problem. There is no logical reason for the ACARS aural message to be screaming in my ear during such a critical time. It appears to me that this message came about 15 to 20 seconds from touchdown. This is obviously a very dangerous time to have any distractions; no matter what airport we are operating at. I would like to re-iterate how LOUD this aural message is; and how it is almost IMPOSSIBLE to hear what you are being told to do. Given the life or death implications of screwing up a hold short/taxi clearance at any airport; we must not take chances with something which is so easily preventable. The screaming ACARS message in my ear is unacceptable while I am anywhere around an active runway.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.