Hello its-dave,
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
We understand that your AirPods will default to the AirPods microphone when connecting and sound from the AirPods mic isn't very good. You want to have the microphone default to the MacBook Pro's internal microphone. When the AirPods are connected, it connects the earphones as the sound output and the microphone as the input. There isn't a way to have the sound input remain as the MacBook Pro's internal mic when connecting. With that info, let's see what we can do about the sound from the AirPods microphone. Let's start with the following support article and section:
If your AirPods won't connect - Apple Support
If you can't connect to your MacMake sure that you have a Mac with the latest version of macOS.Put both AirPods in the charging case and make sure that both AirPods are charging.To make sure that Bluetooth is on, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Bluetooth.If your AirPods are connected, make sure that they're selected as your audio device. If your AirPods appear in the list of devices but they don't connect, click the X to the right of your AirPods to remove them from the list.Close the lid, wait 15 seconds, then open the lid. Press and hold the setup button on the charging case for up to 10 seconds. The status light should flash white, which means that your AirPods are ready to connect.Hold the charging case, with your AirPods inside and the lid open, next to your Mac.Follow the steps on the screen of your Mac.Test your AirPods. If you still can't connect, reset your AirPods.
Best regards.
