[throwup238]

CATs are recorded in pilot reports using terms like "light", "moderate", "severe", and "extreme" which each have a definition. I.e. severe is "Occupants are forced violently against seat belts or shoulder straps. Unsecured objects are tossed about. Food service and walking are impossible." I think only severe and extreme turbulence need mandatory reports and the lower two levels are a bit more subjective ("Food service and walking are difficult")

Newer planes have sensors to measure eddy dissipation rates which are an objective measure of turbulence but I don't know how widespread those systems are and whether they get reported anywhere. They're mostly used for long distance transoceanic flights.

[oceanplexian]

Unsecured objects being tossed around has no real meaning, it’s about controllability of the aircraft.

I’m a pilot and it’s been a while since I went over PIREPS but generally severe is rarely used, severe means the turbulence is so bad you can no longer control the aircraft. What most passengers imagine as severe is probably light turbulence. Most of the time it’s not even reported. As a side note if you’re ever on an aircraft and not secured at all times, you’re making a huge mistake.

[makestuff]

Have there been any reports of true severe clear air turbulence (where the pilot cannot control the plane) or are all of these cases not technically severe because the pilots were in control the entire time and it was just a bumpy ride?

Another question I have is what do you do in that scenario if you can't control it? Just ride it out and hope for the best?

[orhmeh09]

Is using the bathroom or stretching your legs advisable?

[throwup238]

You don't have to live in fear of turbulence when flying, just keep your seatbelt on when you're seated. Turbulence is fairly rare but it's still a numbers game. The probability that you experience it the 99% of the time you're seated is much higher than the probability of experiencing turbulence while standing, especially since pilots proactively turn on the seatbelt sign when turbulence is expected.

[withinboredom]

I watched Cast Away. I always wear my seat belt.

[robxorb]

So this could be a trend in pilot reporting rather than turbulence?