Having recently flown a European route through China with the headsets on, I can honestly say that there is MORE risk to missed calls with them on than there is with them off.
The constant barbed wire chatter is now MORE concentrated, resulting in you turning down the volume, and also, talking with the intercom actually drowns out the sound of radio calls.
Also, as a result of having to switch on the speaker whilst the other pilot left the flightdeck, the VERY issue of the speaker on with the intercom latched, with resulting muted speakers, occurred.
So, Henry, whilst your kneejerk reaction to a problem probably was meant well, please do expect to be making MANY more visits, cap in hand, to China.
As an aside, perhaps we could deal with the REAL reasons for communications problems in China......funny how it doesn't happen ANYWHERE else.....rather than cave in to the powers that be up there.
