Originally Posted by
gettinbumped
+1 for this. After 20 years using the molded earpiece on the A320 and 76T, the uberguppy rocked my world.... and not in a good way. Couldn't hear a thing. Bought the Telex 850 and hated it. Returned. Inquired about the Uflymike and was told the new one that is UAL TSO'ed is months away. Bought the DC's and can finally hear. About 50% of the FO's don't have headsets so I just ride around with my right ear off. I guess that doesn't work for some people but it works fine for me.
To the OP you will find the following: if you end up on the A320, 99% of the pilots will just use the company supplies ear s&erm or the rapid mold (recommended). On the 76T fleet it was about 90%, but it sounds like that's changing as they meld with the 756 fleet. On the 737 more and more people will get their own headsets because it's LOOOUUUDDDD in there. Sorry to the RJ guys and gals who thought they could ditch the headsets!!!!!
Good point about having to move back one earcup back to hear the other guy. Much easier to do with the DC cause it doesn't cover the ear completely like the Bose. I ride a lot on SW and Alaska where it is much more the norm for both guys to wear ANR headsets. I'd like the MEC to pressure the Company to refit the guppy audio panels to have a locking IC/MIC rocker switch like Alaska has to make it easier to run in a hot mic mode, when appropriate.