Ha! Similar situation here....after Submarine Engine Rooms, & Nuclear Facilities...I gotta preserve what's left! Though I'm flying the MadDog and I suspect they're a little louder than the Bus....especially low and fast...wow! I, too, wish the intercom was used a bit more than the 'yell across the cockpit' method Especially during cold/allergy season!

I went to Sun-n-Fun and demoed the ANR Telex and DCs...no not the classic "Clamps", but the mini ANR DCs...new model I guess. They all worked great, just need to figure out which would be more conducive to conversation in cruise...likely the Telex. I used Bose-X's in the CRJ, and they worked superbly and were comfy on the 5-leg days. Even though some CAs yanked their headsets at 180, I always opted to stay 'covered' because of the dang noise!

Locomotives...cool!! Always wanted to drive a train! I had one of the best times of my life working on an IMAX film about the Canadian Pacific rail line across the Rockies..."Rocky Mountain Express." Riding, and climbing all over a live 1939 Hudson 4-6-4 from Vancouver to Calgary was a memorable experience!