JFK-CLT - minimal F service in-flight?
Mar 24, 2017, 7:22 am
#1
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JFK-CLT - minimal F service in-flight?
A minor gripe in the grand scheme of things, to be sure, but a little disappointing nonetheless.
I recently flew early-morning (0630) JFK-CLT after coming off of a redeye. Scheduled block time is 2:11. Upgrade cleared at the gate (e-500’s). I think normally this is a 737 flight, but the afternoon before schedule shows it was substituted with an A320. The details-
1. We were offered a PDB, but the FA did not offer to hang up anyone’s jackets.
2. Soon after departure, drink orders were taken and served. Glasses were left at the seats.
3. Around mid-flight the FA asked the passenger in 1F (I was in 2F) if he’d like another beverage. FA then brought him a can of Coke, then offered him the fully-stocked-and-arranged snack basket. Passenger took an item, and then the FA then simply put the whole basket back in the galley, never offered it to anyone else!
4. A bit later the FA went by, and almost as an afterthought, asked me if I wanted another beverage, which he delivered. I assumed he would eventually bring the snack basket around, so I didn’t specifically ask him for it, which in retrospect I probably should have.
5. Half the F cabin slept most of the flight, but several of us were wide awake, and FA was aware of that. But the tone was almost one of "you're supposed to be sleeping and should not be expecting service on this flight."
6. The FA was absent from the F cabin most of flight, assumed he was assisting in the main cabin (except for the 10 min he spent sitting in the jumpseat looking at his phone).
7. Glasses, etc. were all left around the F cabin, and weren’t picked up until the absolute last minute during approach into CLT.
Did I just get unlucky, or is this what’s to be expected on a short mainline route like this? I’ve only had 1 other mainline upgrade in nearly 2 years, so not sure what’s the norm today. Honestly I’ve gotten far better service recently on shorter RJ flights. And since it was 541 miles, it cost 2 e-500’s.
Again, not an overall big deal, but would like to hear thoughts about if this is now typical.
I recently flew early-morning (0630) JFK-CLT after coming off of a redeye. Scheduled block time is 2:11. Upgrade cleared at the gate (e-500’s). I think normally this is a 737 flight, but the afternoon before schedule shows it was substituted with an A320. The details-
1. We were offered a PDB, but the FA did not offer to hang up anyone’s jackets.
2. Soon after departure, drink orders were taken and served. Glasses were left at the seats.
3. Around mid-flight the FA asked the passenger in 1F (I was in 2F) if he’d like another beverage. FA then brought him a can of Coke, then offered him the fully-stocked-and-arranged snack basket. Passenger took an item, and then the FA then simply put the whole basket back in the galley, never offered it to anyone else!
4. A bit later the FA went by, and almost as an afterthought, asked me if I wanted another beverage, which he delivered. I assumed he would eventually bring the snack basket around, so I didn’t specifically ask him for it, which in retrospect I probably should have.
5. Half the F cabin slept most of the flight, but several of us were wide awake, and FA was aware of that. But the tone was almost one of "you're supposed to be sleeping and should not be expecting service on this flight."
6. The FA was absent from the F cabin most of flight, assumed he was assisting in the main cabin (except for the 10 min he spent sitting in the jumpseat looking at his phone).
7. Glasses, etc. were all left around the F cabin, and weren’t picked up until the absolute last minute during approach into CLT.
Did I just get unlucky, or is this what’s to be expected on a short mainline route like this? I’ve only had 1 other mainline upgrade in nearly 2 years, so not sure what’s the norm today. Honestly I’ve gotten far better service recently on shorter RJ flights. And since it was 541 miles, it cost 2 e-500’s.
Again, not an overall big deal, but would like to hear thoughts about if this is now typical.
Mar 24, 2017, 9:43 am
#4
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As always - If you find the service offered lacking, there are three other "channels":
A. Call button - Push or pull it as the case may be
B. Flag - As the FA walks by, flag him down
C. Walk - It's a domestic narrow-body, so a short walk to the forward galley
It certainly is below the service standard, but I have a personal preference for not being disturbed on short flights and would prefer to ask for service when I want it.
A. Call button - Push or pull it as the case may be
B. Flag - As the FA walks by, flag him down
C. Walk - It's a domestic narrow-body, so a short walk to the forward galley
It certainly is below the service standard, but I have a personal preference for not being disturbed on short flights and would prefer to ask for service when I want it.
Mar 24, 2017, 10:06 am
#6
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That's actually pretty much what I normally get on NYC-CLT (minus the snack basket not being offered). Drink on the ground and two drinks in the air.
Mar 24, 2017, 10:15 am
#7
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Mar 24, 2017, 11:07 am
#8
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What is recurring on a statistically notable basis is parties coming to FT and starting a new thread to complain about service rather than using social skills and problem-solving skills on the spot. As in:
- When you get a moment could you hang my jacket please?
- I'm still a little hungry. I would like another pass at the snack basket.
- I have finished with my drink. Nothing more for me, thank you. Here you go.
- When you get a moment could you hang my jacket please?
- I'm still a little hungry. I would like another pass at the snack basket.
- I have finished with my drink. Nothing more for me, thank you. Here you go.
Mar 24, 2017, 11:24 am
#10
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This is one of my regular routes, albeit in the evening.
I often find that on the shorter routes if the snack basket is picked at by the time they're through the second row then they'll go back and restock it for the other rows. Obviously this isn't a route specific thing, just something I notice.
Sometimes you just need to ask if you don't get the snacks/drinks you're looking for...
I've done these flights dozens of times in the past couple of years and it's almost always been the same, whether 737, 757, A321 etc.
I often find that on the shorter routes if the snack basket is picked at by the time they're through the second row then they'll go back and restock it for the other rows. Obviously this isn't a route specific thing, just something I notice.
Sometimes you just need to ask if you don't get the snacks/drinks you're looking for...
I've done these flights dozens of times in the past couple of years and it's almost always been the same, whether 737, 757, A321 etc.
Mar 24, 2017, 1:17 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2001
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Posts: 2,203
For god sakes just ask if for some reason u are not offered something.
A minor gripe in the grand scheme of things, to be sure, but a little disappointing nonetheless.
I recently flew early-morning (0630) JFK-CLT after coming off of a redeye. Scheduled block time is 2:11. Upgrade cleared at the gate (e-500’s). I think normally this is a 737 flight, but the afternoon before schedule shows it was substituted with an A320. The details-
1. We were offered a PDB, but the FA did not offer to hang up anyone’s jackets.
2. Soon after departure, drink orders were taken and served. Glasses were left at the seats.
3. Around mid-flight the FA asked the passenger in 1F (I was in 2F) if he’d like another beverage. FA then brought him a can of Coke, then offered him the fully-stocked-and-arranged snack basket. Passenger took an item, and then the FA then simply put the whole basket back in the galley, never offered it to anyone else!
4. A bit later the FA went by, and almost as an afterthought, asked me if I wanted another beverage, which he delivered. I assumed he would eventually bring the snack basket around, so I didn’t specifically ask him for it, which in retrospect I probably should have.
5. Half the F cabin slept most of the flight, but several of us were wide awake, and FA was aware of that. But the tone was almost one of "you're supposed to be sleeping and should not be expecting service on this flight."
6. The FA was absent from the F cabin most of flight, assumed he was assisting in the main cabin (except for the 10 min he spent sitting in the jumpseat looking at his phone).
7. Glasses, etc. were all left around the F cabin, and weren’t picked up until the absolute last minute during approach into CLT.
Did I just get unlucky, or is this what’s to be expected on a short mainline route like this? I’ve only had 1 other mainline upgrade in nearly 2 years, so not sure what’s the norm today. Honestly I’ve gotten far better service recently on shorter RJ flights. And since it was 541 miles, it cost 2 e-500’s.
Again, not an overall big deal, but would like to hear thoughts about if this is now typical.
I recently flew early-morning (0630) JFK-CLT after coming off of a redeye. Scheduled block time is 2:11. Upgrade cleared at the gate (e-500’s). I think normally this is a 737 flight, but the afternoon before schedule shows it was substituted with an A320. The details-
1. We were offered a PDB, but the FA did not offer to hang up anyone’s jackets.
2. Soon after departure, drink orders were taken and served. Glasses were left at the seats.
3. Around mid-flight the FA asked the passenger in 1F (I was in 2F) if he’d like another beverage. FA then brought him a can of Coke, then offered him the fully-stocked-and-arranged snack basket. Passenger took an item, and then the FA then simply put the whole basket back in the galley, never offered it to anyone else!
4. A bit later the FA went by, and almost as an afterthought, asked me if I wanted another beverage, which he delivered. I assumed he would eventually bring the snack basket around, so I didn’t specifically ask him for it, which in retrospect I probably should have.
5. Half the F cabin slept most of the flight, but several of us were wide awake, and FA was aware of that. But the tone was almost one of "you're supposed to be sleeping and should not be expecting service on this flight."
6. The FA was absent from the F cabin most of flight, assumed he was assisting in the main cabin (except for the 10 min he spent sitting in the jumpseat looking at his phone).
7. Glasses, etc. were all left around the F cabin, and weren’t picked up until the absolute last minute during approach into CLT.
Did I just get unlucky, or is this what’s to be expected on a short mainline route like this? I’ve only had 1 other mainline upgrade in nearly 2 years, so not sure what’s the norm today. Honestly I’ve gotten far better service recently on shorter RJ flights. And since it was 541 miles, it cost 2 e-500’s.
Again, not an overall big deal, but would like to hear thoughts about if this is now typical.
Last edited by AAExecPlatFlier; Mar 25, 2017 at 12:42 am
Mar 24, 2017, 2:09 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Rolling Lakes Yacht Club
Posts: 4,987
It is becoming a larger problem in society too. People don't have the fortitude to speak up in the moment and solve the issue but rather would post on some electronic media for comfort or even seek compensation after the fact and it's is just mind boggling.
Mar 24, 2017, 3:21 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2003
Programs: American Airlines Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 3,790
I've found the flight crews to be pretty uniformly friendly and helpful, and ranging from good to great. I've only had a rare flight where the crew wasn't helpful--sounds like the OP's experience was that rare flight.
I don't fault the OP for raising this online instead of in the air. Who wants to argue with a FA at 30,000 feet, particularly these days, or who wants to come across as pushy/demanding over something like a free drink? Not me.
Mar 24, 2017, 3:56 pm
#14
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That said, if you feel the service was not good, then write a note to AA Customer Relations. They will follow up with the FA's supervisor.