Why are headphones collected in business class before the flight lands?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 77
Why are headphones collected in business class before the flight lands?
I've been flying a lot of Toronto -> Vancouver flights on air canada in business class....and the one strange thing ive noticed is that they collect the nice headphones like 30 minutes before the flight lands and give you crappy ear buds. how does that make sense? isnt that more of a waste?
#2
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
Programs: AC*SE100K, wood level status in various other programs
Posts: 6,231
Because they don't trust folks from YYZ not to walk off with their precious headphones?
Seriously, they aren't the only airline that collects them before landing but it is kind of annoying.
I am usually using my own gear anyway but it irritates others trying to watch the last few minutes of something.
Seriously, they aren't the only airline that collects them before landing but it is kind of annoying.
I am usually using my own gear anyway but it irritates others trying to watch the last few minutes of something.
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,804
Because they don't trust folks from YYZ not to walk off with their precious headphones?
Seriously, they aren't the only airline that collects them before landing but it is kind of annoying.
I am usually using my own gear anyway but it irritates others trying to watch the last few minutes of something.
Seriously, they aren't the only airline that collects them before landing but it is kind of annoying.
I am usually using my own gear anyway but it irritates others trying to watch the last few minutes of something.
Actually they will give you small ones like in economy. They need to collect them to send them being cleaned, and the timing is supposed to match the point where you are no longer supposed to use large external headphones I believe.
#4
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: YYC
Programs: AC 50k 1MM, Marriott LT Titanium Elite
Posts: 3,400
I've been flying a lot of Toronto -> Vancouver flights on air canada in business class....and the one strange thing ive noticed is that they collect the nice headphones like 30 minutes before the flight lands and give you crappy ear buds. how does that make sense? isnt that more of a waste?
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 77
the end connectors are 3-pronged....which wont even work in most devices....so even if people do steal them, they would see that it wouldnt work for them.
the probably did some study and saw that they were losing too many of them, unless this whole ploy is preemptive. United doesnt collect the headphones, they have more trust lol
the probably did some study and saw that they were losing too many of them, unless this whole ploy is preemptive. United doesnt collect the headphones, they have more trust lol
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
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AA does the same...30 minutes gives them enough time to investigate and find any missing ones, I guess...There is a post somewhere on FT, if I recall, where they held (or threatened to hold) the whole plane from deplaning until they recovered the missing ones, lol...
#7
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: トロント
Programs: IHG Gold
Posts: 4,820
the end connectors are 3-pronged....which wont even work in most devices....so even if people do steal them, they would see that it wouldnt work for them.
the probably did some study and saw that they were losing too many of them, unless this whole ploy is preemptive. United doesnt collect the headphones, they have more trust lol
the probably did some study and saw that they were losing too many of them, unless this whole ploy is preemptive. United doesnt collect the headphones, they have more trust lol
#8
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
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Posts: 6,231
#9
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: YYJ
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I think that one of the 3 prongs probably provides power for the noise cancelling function. For the amount of trouble it would be to hack and slash a solution... Buy headphones...
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Whether the headphones have value elsewhere or not is irrelevant. People irrational steal (and justify the theft to themselves) items all the time. A pity, but it's the world in which we live.
In a different era, the instruction would simply be to leave the headphones on your seat and that is where they would be.
In a different era, the instruction would simply be to leave the headphones on your seat and that is where they would be.
#11
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Toronto - YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan/Hilton Gold/Marriott Bonvoy Titanium/Accor/Hyatt Gold Passport
Posts: 5,899
As they are no longer hardwired to the suites, like bar supplies, they are an inventory controlled item which need to be locked and sealed prior to landing.
We try to collect them as late as possible. Headsets can't be conveniently collected & accounted for during the deplaning process and hopefully this is nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
We try to collect them as late as possible. Headsets can't be conveniently collected & accounted for during the deplaning process and hopefully this is nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
#12
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Montréal, Canada
Posts: 1,610
AC are not the only ones doing this. As mentioned up thread, AA does the same. I recently flew another carrier in Asia, and they also did the same. Sorry I can't recall which airline, but it would have been one of these:. BR, LX, LH, NH or TK. UA doesn't bother.
#14
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
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#15
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 306
I can't recall if this is still a rule on AC or whether it's still enforced. But definitely in the past, AC did not allow any type of ear phones that were not ear bud style during take off and landing, even if you were plugged into the IFE. If this is still the case, I don't see why they wouldn't collect them just before landing.