While most Boston area jets fly into logan under IFR (instrument flight rules), it is quite common for jets to also fly VFR (visual flight rules). But there is a difference in IFR also. Even if Boston is under IFR guidelines, if the weather prevents using VFR as a backup, then certain conditions are put into effect to increase safety (like increase distance between planes).

So, yeah, pilots of big commercial jets use visual cues in most conditions - but usually as a secondary source of info.

At my house, my big complaint is that when it rains road traffic is too loud to sleep with open windows. But I accept it as part of living next to a big street. It stinks, but is offset by having a bus stop 50 feet from my front door (especially nice in the Winter!).