What do you do with the free headsets?
Mar 4, 2009, 10:09 am
#31
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: CA
Programs: AA EXP, SPG PLT, HH GOLD, PP
Posts: 233
I leave them unused as I carry my own or use the Bose.
Mar 4, 2009, 2:01 pm
#32
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: AA: Former CK (LT PLT), MB: PE (LT Gold)
Posts: 503
As I mostly fly out of JFK transcon or TATL, I use them for the first and last hour of the flight (before and after they collect the Bose headsets and personal media players on 763s). Wasteful? A bit. But they are quite horrible.
Mar 5, 2009, 4:33 am
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP/LTP, BA GGL/CCR/GfL, HH D/LTD, SPG/MR Plat/LTP
Posts: 10,075
Before, yes. After using Bose it's a shock to my ears using these toy-like headsets.
Mar 5, 2009, 7:40 am
#34
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Coconut Grove & Punta del Este
Programs: AA EXP 3.3MM; GE & IRIS
Posts: 381
I usually offer mine to a kid as they walk through First.
Mar 5, 2009, 9:32 am
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DFW, AA, Hilton
Posts: 16,692
What does AA do with the used headsets? Do they clean them? Ever since I started reading FT, I've refused pillows, blankets, and also headsets.
Mar 5, 2009, 9:43 am
#36
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Laguna Niguel, CA
Programs: AA PLT, 1.8mm
Posts: 6,988
I'd be very surprised if AA doesn't throw them away. Given the amount they buy, they probably cost less than a buck each.
Mar 5, 2009, 11:28 am
#37
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: AA: Former CK (LT PLT), MB: PE (LT Gold)
Posts: 503
Based on the quality and packaging, they are tossed out. It would cost far more to collect them, ship them to a cleaning facility, sterilize them, re-fold them into the nice loops, seal them and them ship them back to the airport. I am sure they cost $0.0000001 per unit (yes, exaggeration) out of Asia somewhere.
OT: Wonder if the NRT outbound flights mule them back to the US.
OT: Wonder if the NRT outbound flights mule them back to the US.
Mar 5, 2009, 11:29 am
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DFW, AA, Hilton
Posts: 16,692
So why does AA bother to collect them?
Mar 5, 2009, 11:35 am
#39
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: AA: Former CK (LT PLT), MB: PE (LT Gold)
Posts: 503
I have never see the FAs collect the dinky ear bud headsets. IIRC, they announce that you are free to bring them back on your next AA flight.
Being based out of DFW, there is no way you can be mistaking another airline. Just to be clear, this is for the dinky earphones that come in the off-yellow transparent packaging we are talking about.
Being based out of DFW, there is no way you can be mistaking another airline. Just to be clear, this is for the dinky earphones that come in the off-yellow transparent packaging we are talking about.
Mar 5, 2009, 11:36 am
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,526
They don't, IME. If I use them, I either take them off myself and throw them away, or give them to the FA on the final trash pickup. I've never had them try and collect the headsets. In fact, if in coach one buys and owns them.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Mar 5, 2009, 11:44 am
#41
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Connecticut
Programs: SPG-PLT, DL-PLT, AA-GLD (1 MM)
Posts: 141
I have a pair of Bose QC3 headphones I always travel with, so I just leave the freebies in my seatback pocket.
Mar 5, 2009, 11:14 pm
#43
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: us airways gold, marriott gold, hilton gold, radisson silver
Posts: 1
I hand them to any kids coming down the jetway but first ask the parent & they're always happy to get them. I'll take them off with me & as I wait in the boarding area, I pass some out there too to spread the headphone wealth. If you give them to the flt attendants, I see them put them back into their bag!!!
Mar 6, 2009, 9:27 am
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: FLL -> Where The Boyars Are
Programs: AA EXP 1.7 M, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*, AARP Sophomore, 14-time Croix de Candlestick
Posts: 18,669
I have a couple of them stashed in my computer bag, in case I ever forget my Shure SCL3's. Other than that, I ususally just leave them.
One time, seated in Y, I was in an exit row next to a nice young couple. It was the husband's first flight, and the wife's third (IIRC). I handed my spares to them, and they were very grateful.
Also, welcome to FlyerTalk, dlx!
One time, seated in Y, I was in an exit row next to a nice young couple. It was the husband's first flight, and the wife's third (IIRC). I handed my spares to them, and they were very grateful.
Also, welcome to FlyerTalk, dlx!
