Originally Posted by
BlueSkies
Ok, can someone who doesn't like to use hotmic explain to me why they prefer leaving an ear exposed and yelling back and forth in the cockpit over hotmic?
I'm just trying to understand...really.
At a previous airline I flew with lots of senior CAs who were similiar in age to the current guys I fly with and they all used hotmic. So it's not a generational thing.
I just don't get why some guys are so against hotmic. I get it a little more on the older 737s without the new comm panel, but even then all it takes is a rubberband. They even have them available in the CPO!
Sorry for the rant.
There's a couple problems with hotmic.
First, no squelch. Five hours of wind noise through the other guys microphone on a transcon while he rocks his rubber band is fatiguing in itself.
Secondly, the lack of "judicious use of hotmic." As much as guys say that they like to use hotmic...totally fine, but they'll be the ones humming, burping, & talking to themselves in the dead space between essential communication. When you're done with your spiel, flick the hotmic switch off.
If you're reading this and you're thinking...nah, that's not me, I don't do that....Guess what, yes you do, and I can hear you 5 by 5.
Finally, there's a cool rocker switch right in front of you if you want to use the intercom, and when you're done, let go of the button.