US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Should I be annoyed at this?

Flying LAX-PHL yesterday, decided to standby for a later flight. While in the club (25 mins before flight time), the US rep notified me that I had been upgraded, but they could not serve me a meal becuase I was not originally on that flight. So when the FA came around to take food orders, he just asked me whether I wanted anything beyond my bottle of water to drink. I asked him whether I could be given a coach meal for free or something...I was quite hungry (and didn't have enough time to grab something in the terminal). He replied "I'll see what's left." After serving everyone else, he offered me a half-filled coffee cup containing some kind of soup (some meal). I told him this wouldn't fly and I requested one of the coach meals as a replacement. He said he could not give me one, but would sell it to me for $10.

This seemed rather outrageous to me. It shouldn't matter how you end up in first class; everyone should be treated equally. Furthermore, when they screw up, they should try to accomodate...and three ounces of leftover soup doesn't count. Shouldn't they have just given me a coach meal for free to make up for the mistake? Or am I annoyed at something insignificant?

In years past, I would say that this would be outrageous. Now however, I would say that US is just being cost conscience. I know that it seems "cheap", but apparently they are looking to save money any way that they can. To be honest, ten bucks for any on-board food seems high as well. Should it not at least be subsidized to make it more appealing? How about 5 bucks? Back to your point, I imagine that an e-mail or letter to customer service will net you something in return. I think that the toughest part of all of this is how to make yourself look like SWA or JetBlue without "looking" like SWA or JetBlue. Rather, US's challenge and others like them is to keep costs low while offering something that the discounters don't: First Class Seating, a meal, etc. I don't think that this will get any better, since apparently, US does not even use glassware in first. Good Luck!

[This message has been edited by jms8090 (edited 09-21-2003).]

It's nothing personal, just the way the place is run. First you cut everything but the toilet paper. Then you tell the help they are losing jobs and taking pay cuts because customers (especially those on upgrades) don't spend enough. That kind of makes some of them enjoy seeing you not get fed. Lastly, when your losses continue, the next time you report, you tell the financial community it was weather related, as opposed to a main hub where nothing runs on time, the personnel require subtitles to be understood, the planes are designed for midgets, and the bags disappear faster than first class seats.

This has always happened, both before and after Chapter 11. They typically stock the F cabin for the anticipated load. If loads are looking light, they don't stock as much food.

Not stocking a transcon with a full compliment of F meals is just plain stupid. Not giving our gentle poster a coach meal without giving up $10 is like adding insult to injury.

Send this one off to consumer affairs and Deb Thompson. Maybe you will make the "your fault" column next month.

The scary part about this is that it could have been somebody on an A4COACH or full-Y or even (god forbid) full-F fare that purchased late and now they don't get fed. Brilliant.

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Don't feed the trolls.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ClueByFour:
Not stocking a transcon with a full compliment of F meals is just plain stupid. Not giving our gentle poster a coach meal without giving up $10 is like adding insult to injury.

Send this one off to consumer affairs and Deb Thompson. Maybe you will make the "your fault" column next month.

The scary part about this is that it could have been somebody on an A4COACH or full-Y or even (god forbid) full-F fare that purchased late and now they don't get fed. Brilliant.

</font>

You shouldnt be annoyed, you should be angry. I understand them mot having a first meal if you were added to the manifest at the last minute. Not giving you a coach meal for free is inexcuseable in my opinion. Not necessarily blaming the FA, it might be US policy but it shouldnt be. Giving a free coach meal is an easy way to deal with the first meal problem they sometimes get due to last minute changes.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Epsilon359:
Flying LAX-PHL yesterday, decided to standby for a later flight.</font>

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/confused.gif ...

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> While in the club (25 mins before flight time), the US rep notified me that I had been upgraded, but they could not serve me a meal becuase I was not originally on that flight. </font>

They told you in advance they could not serve you a meal ... was coach full ... I'm sure they would have put you in coach if you had wanted, then you'd have nothing to complain about.

Sorry Beckles, I really disagree. I think not having a first class meal is somewhat understandable. Not giving a free coach one is not in my opinion. I have been upgraded plenty of times at the last minute on AA and especially on UA. This has never been an issue. They really should provide all first class passengers a meal on transcons. This is the kind of thing that makes me think, as much as I like some aspects of US, that it is a "toy" airline compared to AA or UA.

I also had an experience like this, although slightly different. A few weeks ago I was flying first class PIT-SFO in row 5. My upgrade was confirmed at the seven day window. There were four non-revs in first, including the person sitting next to me. As I was approached for my dinner selection, I was told that they were out of meals (the non-rev next to me was asked before me and she got a meal) I was offered a free coach meal. After waiting for 30 minutes, I asked where my meal was and was told that coach had sold out of their meals and nothing was available and she brought me the snack basket and told me to take as much as I wanted and was very apologetic. I also had some food with me so I didn't starve, but I wasn't happy. But then again, I am a cockroach.

I agree with the idea that a coach meal should have been given to the F passenger...regardless of how/when you are upgraded, the class of First service should not be degraded.

In addition, it annoys the hell out of me when I am the last row of first and by the time the FA gets to me there is either only one choice or no choice of meals remaining. I understand the logic of starting at the front of first and moving to the back of the cabin asking what people want...but when a full fare first...full fare coach upgraded...or a US1 is denied a meal of his/her choice it's asinine. Those people should have a choice of meal before Gold, Silver or oversold bumped first passengers. I generally get an attitude when I say "I really wanted the sandwich...can I have one from coach?" However, I don't think that it is unreasonable...with over 130K miles so far...not all cockroach (but most) fares...I should get a choice of meal...not have to suffer just because I am in the last row of First.

My $.02

The Dawg

Clue, not that it matters, but are we sure Ms. Thompson is still around?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gnomie:
I also had an experience like this, although slightly different. A few weeks ago I was flying first class PIT-SFO in row 5. My upgrade was confirmed at the seven day window. There were four non-revs in first, including the person sitting next to me. As I was approached for my dinner selection, I was told that they were out of meals (the non-rev next to me was asked before me and she got a meal) I was offered a free coach meal. After waiting for 30 minutes, I asked where my meal was and was told that coach had sold out of their meals and nothing was available and she brought me the snack basket and told me to take as much as I wanted and was very apologetic. I also had some food with me so I didn't starve, but I wasn't happy. But then again, I am a cockroach.</font>

You should report this incident to Consumer Affairs. We must eliminate these "bad apple" employees before they spread across the US Airways system.

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Protect your right to privacy - Don't fly Delta Air Lines

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by deelmakur:
Clue, not that it matters, but are we sure Ms. Thompson is still around?</font>

Her smiling mug still graces the self-serving BS column in this month's Attache, so I'm assuming she is.

I credit the "Your Fault" parody to Tom B, whom I believe originated the term.


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Don't feed the trolls.

I was upgraded on a 757 from PIT - Orlando last week. I listened to the Einstein offering to the coach pax (at $10 per box), "turkey sandwich and caesar salad".

The FA came around and plopped down a plastic bag with a tuna sandwich in front of me. I asked what the selection was, he told me that this was all they had......I told him to take it away.

After serving the coach cabin, he came back with an Einstein sandwich box to offer to me. I didn't take it, but assume that it was for free.

Evidently the food in the front cabin is different than what they're selling in coach. Maybe the stuff in coach is better?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by GadgetFreak:
Sorry Beckles, I really disagree. I think not having a first class meal is somewhat understandable. Not giving a free coach one is not in my opinion. I have been upgraded plenty of times at the last minute on AA and especially on UA. This has never been an issue. They really should provide all first class passengers a meal on transcons. This is the kind of thing that makes me think, as much as I like some aspects of US, that it is a "toy" airline compared to AA or UA.</font>

The problem is with the new Inflight Cafe US does not own the coach meals, SkyChefs does, so they're not US' to give away. I'm sure they have to be accounted for and the meals or money returned.

They say that when you fly an airline like Singapore, you get what you want. When you fly one like Continental or AA, you probably get what you need. In the case of USAir, you generally get what you deserve.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by deelmakur:
They say that when you fly an airline like Singapore, you get what you want. When you fly one like Continental or AA, you probably get what you need. In the case of USAir, you generally get what you deserve.</font>

That sounds vaguely like a Rolling Stones song from around 1970.......
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I didnt know that Beckles but I dont think it matters. They must buy some number of meals per flight. It isnt like they can keep them until they are used (I hope). So if they are on the plane I would think they are either used or trashed. Even if that isnt the case, they should give one to a passenger in first. They would have had to pay in one way or another for the normal FC meal they would have received.

Notwithstanding the way they run the place, if the vendor is having to watch quantities like that, it underscores the zero sum aspect of selling food, regardless of who's nickel it's on (see related threads). It also suggests that there will likely be several hungry souls on the average long haul flight, and that will kill the whole exercise even faster, as more people hedge by buying stuff in the terminal, and the vendor goes nuts trying to stabilize the meal count. PS to Gadget..I was with the Stones in the '70's (in another career)...their stuff was better.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by deelmakur:
Notwithstanding the way they run the place, if the vendor is having to watch quantities like that, it underscores the zero sum aspect of selling food, regardless of who's nickel it's on (see related threads). It also suggests that there will likely be several hungry souls on the average long haul flight, and that will kill the whole exercise even faster, as more people hedge by buying stuff in the terminal, and the vendor goes nuts trying to stabilize the meal count. PS to Gadget..I was with the Stones in the '70's (in another career)...their stuff was better.</font>

They havent been the same since you left!

If I were you, I’d be more than annoyed. My own “work-a-round” the half-portion meal service in FC is to ask the FA for a meal from coach, if one is left over. I’ve never been turned down and once was offered two - the extra to have for my connecting flight!

FA’s have explained to me that once the In Flight Café sales have concluded in coach, that they have discretion with the remaining meals - crew, pax, whatever. Otherwise, all unsold meals are thrown out at the end of the flight. Hence the usual toting of boxes to the cockpit or forward galley. However, they must account for where they went.

I’ve also been told by the crew that it’s very awkward to explain to observant FC pax as to why FC meals are inferior to those in coach.

I’m sorry you had such a bad experience and think that you should report the situation to Consumer Affairs.

Last Friday my wife was flying on an award tio ticket on UA (using US miles) and at meal time after hearing the selections being given to the PAX next to her, she gave the F/A her selection. The F/A told her that she couldn't order now she had to wait, "there is a pecking order youi know." So I guess UA makes sure who pays the most has the best choice.

Well be glad they let you upgrade. Earlier this year I had to fight for my upgrade even though there are 12 empty seats. They didn't want to upgrade me because of meals. Which I didn't even want one I had my own food. I contacted consumer affairs, and they told me that this was not common practice.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Singleflyer:
Last Friday my wife was flying on an award tio ticket on UA (using US miles) and at meal time after hearing the selections being given to the PAX next to her, she gave the F/A her selection. The F/A told her that she couldn't order now she had to wait, "there is a pecking order youi know." So I guess UA makes sure who pays the most has the best choice.</font>

Actually, I believe UA goes by status sometimes ... if your wife had been flying a paid FC ticket with no status on UA she probably would have been treated in exactly the same manner, which is why that system is a dead-bang loser in my opinion.

[QUOTE]
Edited due dupe post

[This message has been edited by Dont call me Shirley (edited 09-23-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ChazDawg:

In addition, it annoys the hell out of me when I am the last row of first and by the time the FA gets to me there is either only one choice or no choice of meals remaining. I understand the logic of starting at the front of first and moving to the back of the cabin asking what people want...but when a full fare first...full fare coach upgraded...or a US1 is denied a meal of his/her choice it's asinine.
The Dawg</font>

It used to be standard to start from the front on westbound flights, and the back on eastbounds, (It has been a while since I've flown F/C, but understand that this no longer happens (either by design or it just fell by the wayside) I know that some F/As go by status, but it is not unusual have everyone in F/C be US1.

Thanks again to our loyal VFFs who continue fly US, in spite of the cutbacks (and BBB's doings!)

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Dont call me Shirley:
It used to be standard to start from the front on westbound flights, and the back on eastbounds...</font>


Aaaaah, the return of the geo conspiracy theory. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Thanks for your comments PDCMS!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Singleflyer:
Last Friday my wife was flying on an award tio ticket on UA (using US miles) and at meal time after hearing the selections being given to the PAX next to her, she gave the F/A her selection. The F/A told her that she couldn't order now she had to wait, "there is a pecking order youi know." So I guess UA makes sure who pays the most has the best choice.</font>

UA policy is to go by frequent flyer status. First is UGS, then 1K, then Premier Exec then Premier. I would assume US elites would fit in at their comparable level but Im not sure about this. It has been my experience that they are pretty good about following this although sometimes they seem to ignore it. Doesnt matter if it is an award or an upgrade or full fare a Beckles pointed out. It only goes on FF status.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by GadgetFreak:
UA policy is to go by frequent flyer status. First is UGS, then 1K, then Premier Exec then Premier. I would assume US elites would fit in at their comparable level but Im not sure about this. It has been my experience that they are pretty good about following this although sometimes they seem to ignore it. Doesnt matter if it is an award or an upgrade or full fare a Beckles pointed out. It only goes on FF status.
</font>

Actually, GadgetFreak, this isn't quite right. Somewhere on the UA board, I'm sure we could find the exact procedure, but I believe they will ask UGS first, then 1K MMs, then 1K, then Premier Exec MMs. After that, they typically just go front to back. I've always thought they should modify the procedure to ask Paid First or Paid Business first but I don't think that info is available on the manifest. The only time this becomes contentious is when people want the Obento meals on flights into and out of Narita.

In any case, they are quite good about this imho and when I don't order a special meal, I almost always get my choice. The food in general and special meals are also, btw, much better than US.

Lots of stuff to respond to here:

* This is a new regime at US. In the past, the typical US flight attendant would have gone out of their way to find you food. US has always had a lot of issues in management and at the airport, but in-flight service could always be counted on to save the day. This high-quality service seems to be harder to find. It still exists, esp. with some of the senior international crews (a recent MAD-PHL crew I had was unparalleled, even at SQ or CX), but it's more rare.

* I for one agree that they should have given you a meal from coach. Very cheap way to keep an important passenger happy (and ANY first class passenger is important imho, since they either spent a lot or fly a lot). This is just stupid. I think you should report it to Consumer Affairs but in my recent experience, Consumer Affairs doesn't care much any more.

* It's intensely stupid that the free F class meal is inferior to the paid coach meal. I guess we all agree on this.

* Non-revs should NEVER EVER EVER EVER get meal service or a meal choice before a paid passenger, period, end of story. I flew non-rev on DL for years and they were real sticklers about this, as they should be... I'm assuming the US manifest has a way to identify non-revs. If this ever happens to you, report it to Consumer Affairs. That FA should be fired...I know its harsh, but its very bad business.

[This message has been edited by kv99 (edited 09-23-2003).]

Kv99, obviously you are correct, I didnt sort out the MM passengers at each level for the sake of simplicity. Im not sure if US or *Gold elites get mixed in, that would be interesting to know.

I agree with you completely on the other points as well. Especially the change that this would represent and the belief that it is quite inexcuseable and should be dealt with in a firm way.

I would add that even prior to the advent of UGS there were times I didnt get the Obento as a 1K flying between JFK and NRT. There are a lot of 1Ks and 1K MMs on that route and they like the Obento. I always reserve it in advance now.

[This message has been edited by GadgetFreak (edited 09-23-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gnomie:
[B]
......There were four non-revs in first, including the person sitting next to me. As I was approached for my dinner selection, I was told that they were out of meals (the non-rev next to me was asked before me and she got a meal) I was offered a free coach meal. After waiting for 30 minutes, I asked where my meal was and was told that coach... B]</font>


Hi Gnomie....
The situation you described smply, flat out should not have happened and is very much indeed against US policy. The only possible reason (not excuse) that comes to mind is that the F/A did not get a manifest at departure (rushed gate agent of the 1982 era hardcopy printer jammed) indicating who is who.

[If I may bold to ask, how did you know they were NRSAs? If they were in uniform, they were probably crew movement. Still _no_ excuse for feeding them before revenue passengers].

The times I have flown in FC and the F/As don't have a manifest, they have always gone through and asked the passengers' names and wrting them down. That should be a clue for any nonrevs (except maybe an unbriefed buddy pass rider)to advise the F/A of their status.

(Whether in coach or F, I always advise the cabin crew that I am a nonrev and to feed me after the other passengers have made their selection. They always appreciate it, and it has scored me more than one free drink. I do get a few strange looks from people who wonder why get fed after everyone. Back in the days of special meals, I sometimes got an unclaimed veggie or asian meal. They were all very good, but I digress.)

If the flight was short mealed the F/A should simply have found out if there any nonrevs onboard. Grasping at straws here, maybe some meals were dropped in the galley after she served the nonrev? (Another reason to feed the nonrevs last even if there are enough meals on board).

On shortmealed flights F/As sometimes via PA for nonrevs to identify themselves. This would indicate the lack of manifest.

Basically I can not think of any reason for the situation you described. You should send Thompson's office a note.

(I forgot whose posts questioned Deborah Thompson's exsistance and called her "smug". She does really exist and is, in fact, a rather amiable woman. I've never known her to be smug.)


Going off topic a bit, what do you flyer talkers think of her colunm in Attache?

While I know that many of you differ, I must confess that I don't really see as an "your fault" soapbox.

She does usually try to put the best spin on the examples she cites, but that is part of her job. I do think that "Your Turn" is geared more toward travelers who less are seasoned than flyertalker and she tries to explain some the complexities and issues in the indusrty.

(True, it is easier to explain why someone without proper travel documents was not permitted to board an international flight than to defend say, no glassware in F/C.)

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"I am serious...and don't call me Shirley"
(Leslie Nielsen as Dr Rumack in "Airplane")

[This message has been edited by Dont call me Shirley (edited 09-23-2003).]

Now this is an outrage.

I spoke to an FA on a PIT-SFO flight and she says the crew typically eats a few of the IFC meals and then just tells the ground crews that "They ate a few" and the the ground crews are OK with that.


<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gnomie:
I also had an experience like this, although slightly different. A few weeks ago I was flying first class PIT-SFO in row 5. My upgrade was confirmed at the seven day window. There were four non-revs in first, including the person sitting next to me. As I was approached for my dinner selection, I was told that they were out of meals (the non-rev next to me was asked before me and she got a meal) I was offered a free coach meal. After waiting for 30 minutes, I asked where my meal was and was told that coach had sold out of their meals and nothing was available and she brought me the snack basket and told me to take as much as I wanted and was very apologetic. I also had some food with me so I didn't starve, but I wasn't happy. But then again, I am a cockroach.</font>

another dupe post. sorry

[This message has been edited by Dont call me Shirley (edited 09-23-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by GadgetFreak:
Kv99, obviously you are correct, I didnt sort out the MM passengers at each level for the sake of simplicity. Im not sure if US or *Gold elites get mixed in, that would be interesting to know.

I agree with you completely on the other points as well. Especially the change that this would represent and the belief that it is quite inexcuseable and should be dealt with in a firm way.

I would add that even prior to the advent of UGS there were times I didnt get the Obento as a 1K flying between JFK and NRT. There are a lot of 1Ks and 1K MMs on that route and they like the Obento. I always reserve it in advance now.

[This message has been edited by GadgetFreak (edited 09-23-2003).]</font>

Actually, I wasn't being very clear. What I meant was that I don't think they actually care about Premier Execs and Premiers and just group them in with everyone else. At least, I never used to get asked my meal choice first when I was a 1P.

I have a good Obento story actually. I sat next to this Japanese woman on NRT-SFO who was an executive for a US company, and she had no status, but had pre-ordered Obento. When they got to her, they told her that they had given out the Obento meals by status and had none left for her. Let's just say she wasn't very happy. We ended up splitting my obento meal and her regular meal which worked out nicely. Haven't been to Tokyo since but she promised me a dinner at her favorite Kaiseki place. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Dont call me Shirley:

Back in the days of special meals, I sometimes got an unclaimed veggie or asian meal. They were all very good, but I digress.)

</font>

Shirley -- Sorry, I couldn't resist http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif I think you're right that there must have been an irregularity with the manifest that a NRSA was given a meal before a paid passenger, let's hope so at least...I still think most USAirways FAs are attentive to these things.

I'm not sure if you've tried a USAirways special meal lately, but they're absolutely disguisting. I've tried to get in touch with Michael Stubbins who manages catering for PHL and the Washington area airports, but haven't been successful. This is the main reason I don't fly US longhaul anymore if I can avoid it.

I don't care for Deborah Thompson's column. Sometimes its not bad, but generally I get the sense she's just making excuses.

As a side note:

On that same flight described in the original post, I was sitting next to a paid F passenger (she claimed her ticket cost $3,500). By the time the FA came to her seat there was only one meal choice left, although luckily for her (and perhaps the airline) it was what she wanted.

[This message has been edited by Epsilon359 (edited 09-23-2003).]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by kv99:
[b]Shirley --I'm not sure if you've tried a USAirways special meal lately, but they're absolutely disguisting. I've tried to get in touch with Michael Stubbins who manages catering for PHL and the Washington area airports, but haven't been successful. This is the main reason I don't fly US longhaul anymore if I can avoid it.

Nonrevs can't order spcl meals, I've only gotten to try unclaimed ones. I am sorry that quality has declined, especially now that they are (as far as I know) only served in FC on domestic flights.

I do hope you get a hold of the catering manager. The September Attache has an article on the head of Dining and Cabin services and how she strives to provide the best possible meal service. I don't remember her name but someone may have a copy.

By the way, the best coach special meal I've had was a muslim meal around 1999. There were six of them, ordered by a family who had misconnected. I think it was lamb, potatoes, and chikpeas in a tasty and spicy sauce and seemed freshly prepared. Nowadays, ordering one may get you flagged by CAPPS! (the gov't denies this)

Cheers,
DCMS


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"I am serious...and don't call me Shirley"
Leslie Nielsen (as Dr Rumack in "Airplane"

Hi Gnomie....
The situation you described smply, flat out should not have happened and is very much indeed against US policy. The only possible reason (not excuse) that comes to mind is that the F/A did not get a manifest at departure (rushed gate agent of the 1982 era hardcopy printer jammed) indicating who is who.

[If I may bold to ask, how did you know they were NRSAs? If they were in uniform, they were probably crew movement. Still _no_ excuse for feeding them before revenue passengers].


None on the non-revs were in uniform - the woman setting next to me an well as three other people were moved up from coach right before we pushed away from the gate - I started talking to her and she mentioned that she and the others were US employees on their way to SFO for a weekend in the Napa Valey and that it was lucky they were all able to upgrade since it was a full flight in coach and they were all in middle seats in the back - I have decided not to write to consumer affairs regarding this since I have another issue that they are working on right now about a missed flight connection due to a schedule change causing me an unexpected overnight in PIT - I have to pick and chose my battles and although very annoying, not having a meal was not that big a deal - missing a very important meeting is.

A very discreet and simple (?) way to solve the potential meal fiascos in F would be for the ticket/gate/club agent to ask the passenger for his/her meal choice prior to issuing the boarding pass. It probably wouldn't solve the problem of last-minute flight changes and upgrades or lost manifestos, but it could alleviate some of the bad will which is obviously being generated when some of the scenarios described above occur.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gnomie:
[ in the back - I have decided not to write to consumer affairs regarding this since I have another issue that they are working on right now about a missed flight connection due to a schedule change causing me an unexpected overnight in PIT - I have to pick and chose my battles .[/B]</font>

Ouch. We're certainly batting a 1000 with youlately! Well, I apoligize for the F/C situation. The nonrevs being moved at the last minute would explain their absence on the manifest. Still, the F/A should have asked. And the nonrevs should have told.

Regarding your lastest experience, sked changes seem to happen more and more. Were you a victim of the last bank of PIT departures being pulled on Tue/Wed/Sat in September?

This done due to anticpated light bookings in September. Last year the week of the 9/11 aniversary was very, very lightly traveled, and September was not busy at all.
This year was another story. [I was going to California that week and all US flights were very full. A friend gave me a budy pass on another carrier. Busy, but not full flights. And real glasware in F/C!...I am digressing again).]

The automated rebooking system for sked changes sometimes does not work very well and can result in rather poor routings, time changes, and very tight connections. Being stuck overnight because of a sudden operational problem is one thing, beacause of planned sked change is another matter.

I hope your luck changes and you a have better experiences next time. And in the future.


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"I am serious...and don't call me Shirley"
(Leslie Nielsen as Dr Rumack in "Airplane")

[This message has been edited by Dont call me Shirley (edited 09-23-2003).]