Originally Posted by
sandos
Why the open mic all the time? There is a lot of it?
Another possibility: In some airplanes (e.g., 747 Classic) a switch must be thrown to switch from boom mike to the mike in the mask. If this airplane was not equipped with the newer masks with automatic switching (switch is in the cover of the mask compartment, and activates when the mask is pulled out), she might have forgotten this step in the fray. I've been there, done that!
I noted that as soon as the controller said that he was only getting static, the next transmission from the airplane was clear. Either he jogged her memory or she finished doing the other stuff she had to do - like FLY THE AIRPLANE. Don't forget the priorities: Aviate, Navigate, Communicate, in that order.