Free headset leverage by FA....
 

I was on the plane past weekend from YYZ-ORD. During takeoff, FA was making the routine entertainment announcement and I heard something really funny.

FA: "United offers 'complimentary' headset in all the cabin, you can find it in the seat pocket in front of you. By the way, United is one of the only airlines still offering free headset, we understand having entertainment is very important. We hope you enjoy the convenience of the 'free' headset and video programming we have to offer"

Well, not exactly word for word, but close enough. I find it entertaining the FA using free headset as leveraging point for UA. :D

Turns out all the A/V system in First class was broken, the audio coming out sounded like alien from another planet.... so much for free headset.

Gotta love it!! Too bad I have my 1K mandatory bose quietcomfort headsets, now only if I could use them in business class on Uniteds 777's...

Hey folks, it is a perk that may other airlines do not provide.

well I think the point is the irony of the FA promoting the free headset and the audio not working! I'm curious though, what airlines don't provide them for free?

US Airways! :D

She did have a point there. People dont know that most other USA airlines charge for the headsets. And some airlines dont even offer movies on 3 hr flights.

Does UA need to join every other airline in the race to the bottom of the barrel ? Curious how long it will take some genius in UA's controlling department to figure out how much money they can save by taking the headsets away.

What's your problem? I have no trouble using mine.

I agree - Five years and probably 50+ flights in UA 777 C, using QC2 and now QC3...never had an issue.

Those are the same people that always surprise me by putting on the nasty UA headsets instead of pulling their own out of their bag. Didn't Apple by now sell one or two iPods to every living and breathing resident of the US?

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Hhmm maybe I've just been crossing too many time zones recently, I did do 120k EQM in 4 months! If I remember correctly you need a 2 prong adapter, the quietcomfort 3 came with one but I couldn't get it to work. Can't remember which way it was but pretty sure I needed an adapter with 2 prongs but one of them needed to be smaller than the other. I should be flying DXB-IAD Feb 6, if I get upgraded I will have to try it again.

American charges, as does Delta. I even think Air Canada charges for them.

I don't ever buy so I forget but I do think UA is one of a few that don't charge.

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No adapter is needed. Just plug your headset in the console.

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Well I guess it was a good thing that I only flew United, Lufthansa and Air New Zealand before I got some good headphones. Does Continental charge, I remember buying a pair on a transcon in 2001.

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I tried that and only had sound coming out of one side, maybe seat or user malfunction, but thanks I'll do that next time