Originally Posted by
scambo1
You don't need a bag before you show up. Personally, I've used the Pretty Neat Things suitcase. Its pricey, but bulletproof and payroll deductible.
You don't need to buy a headset either. Every plane has David Clarks. The rule is you wear the headset from pushback to 18k feet then from 18K feet to the end of the shutdown checklist. I don't own a headset.
The DC's are AWFUL. We must've saved a few sheckles by not springing for the extra ear-cup, which makes it an unbalanced headache machine. It depends which fleet you get on. The 319/320's (at least a few years ago) all have Telex 750's on them, so you won't need one. If you get the 88 or 737, you will definitely want to spring for a good, lightweight headset. I got a Telex 850 (ANR) when I was on the 73N and it was worth every penny to avoid the DC's. I forgot it on an 88 trip once and felt like it was never going to end.
I'm not sure about the 717. Technically I'm qualified on it, but I've yet to see the inside of one. I'm planning to dust off the 850 for OE (if they ever call) just in case. 4-5 legs a day with the DC vice grip is too much to contemplate.
*Disclaimer - I've flown with full (both earpiece) David Clark's for several thousand hours and had no problem with them. There's just something about having that thing hanging off one side of your head that makes it a pain in the neck, literally.