US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Non Revs and Meals in 1st

In row six on a 320 SAN-PHL. No choice of meal because the Non-Revs (at least 5 of them) in rows ahead of me had the choice. What should I do (now)? or what should I have done (then)?

Nothing. They've had an awful year. Don't get them into trouble. Let it go.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Spence:
What should I do (now)? or what should I have done (then)?</font>

Call a wam-bulance?

Sit in Row 1 or 2 on a 320. Those seats must have been available if the non revs got them. If you notice, upgrade seats are assigned starting with the last row, going forward. Just call in, and change that. If you sit up front, chances are all meal choices are available in the first few rows (on Transcons, they're supposed to start with the last row in one direction, but rarely do so). Anyway, the food these days isn't worth getting annoyed about.

I'd probably let it slide as well as this sort of thing is rare but bad year or not, this was a crew slip-up. You should have gotten your choice of a meal and I'd agree that you should try and get row 2 next time. I'd rather risk not getting a meal choice than sit in the bulkhead personally.

[This message has been edited by kv99 (edited 05-26-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by deelmakur:
If you notice, upgrade seats are assigned starting with the last row, going forward. Just call in, and change that.</font>

Had not noticed, thanks.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MaineFlyer16:
Call a wam-bulance?</font>

I guess I'm dense, a wam-bulance?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Spence:
In row six on a 320 SAN-PHL. No choice of meal because the Non-Revs (at least 5 of them) in rows ahead of me had the choice. What should I do (now)? or what should I have done (then)?</font>

Get a real problem! Next thing you know the slacker FA will stir your martini instead of shaking it. THAT will be a sure sign of the coming apocalypse . . .

It must have been an A321 not an A320 because A320's have only 4 rows of First Class. Row 6 in a 320 would be coach.

An A321 First Class goes to row 7.

Just FYI.

In either case, at least there was a meal...who knows how much longer we'll have that!!?

------------------
Regards,

Art from ISP

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by RDU-Man:
Get a real problem! Next thing you know the slacker FA will stir your martini instead of shaking it. THAT will be a sure sign of the coming apocalypse . . .</font>

Is it the end of the world? No. Is it a big deal in the grand scheme of life? No.

But it is most definitely an issue if you fly transcons or trips to Europe week after week after week (as many of us do...) and always get whatever's left after everyone else orders.

And it is definitely an issue if the FA screws up and gives non-revs their choice of meals before paying passengers.

I've been a non-rev on many flights and ALWAYS ask the FA if the paying passengers got their choice of meal (especially in First). This is what they should have done.

All the poster did was ask how to deal with this situation. Fair question, with pretty reasonable answers I think.

btw, Spence it's quite rare to have that many non-revs in First, so don't think you'll experience this scenario too often.


[This message has been edited by kv99 (edited 05-28-2003).]

It's a subtle thing, but I've been impressed when I see a FA try to make sure that paying passengers are given priority. It has happened a couple times recently, and once the non-rev beside me was almost indignant over it. She was commuting transcon to a new US position...not like it was a big vacation or anything. It's little things such as this that some FAs pay attention to that make them stand out from the others.

When I was non-reving, we always had to be dressed (coat & tie for men, similar for women), and we got meals after revenue got served.

I have been denied boarding because I didn't have a tie on, and on more than one occasion I went hungry so that revenue could eat. Not a problem with me, considering the cost of the flight. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

A coupe of years ago, I was on a US transcon, paying full fare, and wearing a suit. I approached the counter at PIT and asked to be upgraded if there was room. I didn't get the u/g, but after the door was closed, the FA motioned to a couple (wearing casual clothes) and moved them up front. I was a little pi$$ed.

Are there still standards in the industry? Is nothing still aacred? Oh, the horror, the horror.

I think you should report it. It's bad enough we have to put up with the declining quality in F and enhancements like $25 standby fees, etc. It seems that lately there are a few bad apples at US who are bitter about elites sitting up front. It's important we try to eliminate them before they spread. This other (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum51/HTML/005036.html) incident should be reported as well.

Spence,
Let it go. These guys have had a horrible year. They are struggling to pay their bills. Don't get them into trouble. There are more important things in life to worry about. Be happy you got a meal. I've been on long haul where catering didn't load enough, and I went hungry, and I was a revenue pax.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Spence:
In row six on a 320 SAN-PHL. No choice of meal because the Non-Revs (at least 5 of them) in rows ahead of me had the choice. What should I do (now)? or what should I have done (then)?</font>

I'd be curious to know how you knew they were non-rev to begin with....

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Randeman:
I'd be curious to know how you knew they were non-rev to begin with....</font>

On United it's very easy to ID non-revs--they generally have big orange "Crew" tags on their bags. The USAirways tags are a little more discreet, but still recognizable.

If they were indeed non revs, then the f/a should have gotten orders from the full fare passengers first. If they were cleared into f/c at the last minute their names might not have even been on the manifest and the f/a might not have been aware of their status.
In non revs defense, did you know that they also have to pay to sit in f/c or envoy? In addition to the annual charges that they pay for pass priviledges, they have to pay $40 each time they upgrade on domestic and $100-$125 to sit in Envoy on transatlantic. When f/c was available to Europe, the fee was $150. Just didn't want you to think that they were sitting up there "for free".
Sorry you didn't get your first choice though.

Just to throw in my 2 cents -

I think it depends a lot on the FA. When I flew SAN - PIT in mid-May, all of the revenue custormers were asked first, then the FA when around to all the non-rev passangers.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kv99:
On United it's very easy to ID non-revs--they generally have big orange "Crew" tags on their bags. The USAirways tags are a little more discreet, but still recognizable.</font>

Yes, but, not all non-rev employees are flight attendants or pilots. If they were crew, they would most likely be in uniform. Non-revs could be from any location, in street clothes, with no airline ID on bags.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by GalleyWench:
If they were indeed non revs, then the f/a should have gotten orders from the full fare passengers first. If they were cleared into f/c at the last minute their names might not have even been on the manifest and the f/a might not have been aware of their status.
In non revs defense, did you know that they also have to pay to sit in f/c or envoy? In addition to the annual charges that they pay for pass priviledges, they have to pay $40 each time they upgrade on domestic and $100-$125 to sit in Envoy on transatlantic. When f/c was available to Europe, the fee was $150. Just didn't want you to think that they were sitting up there "for free".
Sorry you didn't get your first choice though.</font>

I thought everyone got their term passes free now.

I stand corrected http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif. I do seem to recall that the term pass charges may have been waived last year because of all the pay cuts we had taken. However, the upgrade fees do still apply for the privilege of sitting in f/c or envoy.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Randeman:
I'd be curious to know how you knew they were non-rev to begin with....</font>

Several were in uniform and they were all called to the ticket counter at the last minute before boarding.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kv99:
On United it's very easy to ID non-revs--they generally have big orange "Crew" tags on their bags. The USAirways tags are a little more discreet, but still recognizable.</font>

Oh yeah, they had CREW tags, too.

Well....
I did make mention of tha fact saying "I suppose all the non-revs sitting in front of me got their choices" She did a triple take and mouthed some sort of apology going away and coming back saying "I found the one non-rev with your choice..." then I saw her serve other non-revs the same, she shouldn't lie to me! That's what really ticked me off.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Spence:
Oh yeah, they had CREW tags, too.</font>

Well, that's a pretty clear indication that they were non-revs. Glad we didn't need to call in Miss Marple to figure that one out!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by GalleyWench:
.
In non revs defense, did you know that they also have to pay to sit in f/c or envoy? In addition to the annual charges that they pay for pass priviledges, they have to pay $40 each time they upgrade on domestic and $100-$125 to sit in Envoy on transatlantic. When f/c was available to Europe, the fee was $150. Just didn't want you to think that they were sitting up there "for free".
Sorry you didn't get your first choice though.</font>

Don't know if he spent his 3 grand, or his 30,000(valued at $600 or so) points and a $???? ticket, Spence bought some kind of a ticket, or got some kind of a corporate cut deal(buy H, fly F). He is a customer. The purpose of USAir, bad year and all, is not to please hell out of the employees, but to provide the best service possible to paying customers, as USAir, in their infinite wisdom, decide to price common space and premium space.

USAir is not the only company having a lousy year. My company, and my wife's company(she is an employee) are having lousy years also.

If one of my employees stepped in front of a paying customer, particularly in a bad year, I assure you there would never be a chance for a second step in front.

I'm not that big on the customer is always right, but as my 90 year old mother once said, (at 80), "I don't have to pay to be insulted, I can get it for free at the supermarket."

Spence...

It appears that you are right. The non-revs should not have been given a choice of meals prior to you. All I can say is that in my years of flying, I have never knowingly deprived a revenue passenger of a meal choice with a non-rev in the cabin. Nor have I ever witnessed another flight attendant do so.

The policy really works to the flight attendant's benefit. With the current food provisioning of 1 meal to 1 passenger, the non-rev in the cabin actually increases my chances of offering a choice to a passenger further back. It minimizes the hassle factor.

And no, not all crew members in the First Class cabin are non-revs. There is a cargo airline that positions it's flight crew in First. Never encountered it before, but last month leaving LAS I had a pilot in my cabin enroute to Europe, full fare. Had to explain to a pretty understanding couple that the gentleman that stole their entree choice was, indeed, quite rev.

Regardless, this is an unfortunate circumstance and should not have happened.

Best,

USSky

Slawecki,
I sincerely apologize if I offended anyone with my reply, that was never my intention. As I said in my first statement, revenue passengers should always be served their first choice over non revs with no exception. I was also not aware that they were in uniform, thus making their status quite undeniable, as the reply adding that information was not posted until after mine appeared. There are times when the company will have to put a crew into position at the last minute and sometimes the only seats available are in first class. There are also several f/a's that commute to work and find it worth it to pay the extra surcharge to have a little bit of extra space before flying a long trip. But again, no matter what the circumstances, the paying passenger always come first. Again, I apologize if you think I was trying to minimize this particular concern, I definitely was not. I know that a lot of people are having a tough time at work right now, and I do sympathize. I love my job and have decided to stick it out despite the paycuts and loss of benefits. I am one of the fortunate ones that is able to keep flying because of my seniority but my heart goes out to everyone that has been laid off here at US and at every other company in the U.S. that's been stricken. My post about the surcharges was more for an F.Y.I. than a defensive statement. Thank you all for flying US and remaining loyal to us, we greatly appreciate it!
Fly safe.