Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan - PDB revisited

I know we've been over this again and again but I still think that a lack of PDB besides water or coffee is a real dissapointment when flying first in AS.
Why do I bring this up, you ask? Well, I was pleasantly surprised on Tues 8/21 to find out that instead of flying the combi CDV-ANC we would be flying in the Portland Timbers plane and I would be flying in first.

I've taken this 35-40 min flight ANC-CDV many times and flight attendants are usually pretty good about taking drink orders before take off so they can get them dished out and we can get the drinks down our gullet before we land. This happened on Tuesday just before take off.

But before takeoff, a good 20 min went by where the F cabin was full and we were just waiting on stragglers boarding every few minutes. The FA wasn't doing anything - no paperwork, no last minute catering issues, no other important pre-departure stuff. Perfect opportunity to serve your F cabin a PDB!! We didn't even receive a PDWater on this flight.

Overall, I still enjoy AS service and especially their FAs. But I am increasingly annoyed by a lack of pre-departure service, even if it's just taking orders so that we can have our nice little beverage of choice soon after its safe for FAs to move about. I understand there are times when PD service of any kind is tricky, and that is perfectly acceptable. However the majority of F flights I've taken this year did not fit that description.

OK, I feel better now....email sent to customer service also.

But before takeoff, a good 20 min went by where the F cabin was full and we were just waiting on stragglers boarding every few minutes. The FA wasn't doing anything - no paperwork, no last minute catering issues, no other important pre-departure stuff. Perfect opportunity to serve your F cabin a PDB!! We didn't even receive a PDWater on this flight.



With most flights boarding at T-45, I think there's more than enough time to serve PDBs.

It would also be nice to have pillows again.

email sent to customer service also.

sent to the right place. :)

For what it's worth, on the Hawaii flights we are now offering a choice of water, POG, Champagne or a "Hawaiian Mimosa" (Pog with champagne) and coffee on morning flights. This began on 8/22

I know we've been over this again and again but I still think that a lack of PDB besides water or coffee is a real dissapointment when flying first in AS.
Why do I bring this up, you ask? Well, I was pleasantly surprised on Tues 8/21 to find out that instead of flying the combi CDV-ANC we would be flying in the Portland Timbers plane and I would be flying in first.

I've taken this 35-40 min flight ANC-CDV many times and flight attendants are usually pretty good about taking drink orders before take off so they can get them dished out and we can get the drinks down our gullet before we land. This happened on Tuesday just before take off.

But before takeoff, a good 20 min went by where the F cabin was full and we were just waiting on stragglers boarding every few minutes. The FA wasn't doing anything - no paperwork, no last minute catering issues, no other important pre-departure stuff. Perfect opportunity to serve your F cabin a PDB!! We didn't even receive a PDWater on this flight.

Overall, I still enjoy AS service and especially their FAs. But I am increasingly annoyed by a lack of pre-departure service, even if it's just taking orders so that we can have our nice little beverage of choice soon after its safe for FAs to move about. I understand there are times when PD service of any kind is tricky, and that is perfectly acceptable. However the majority of F flights I've taken this year did not fit that description.

OK, I feel better now....email sent to customer service also.

I took the Timbers plane on 8/21 also from ADQ to ANC. Flight crew took my drink order pre departure which was a nice change!

In my experience since AS went to strictly water, the FA will rarely take drink orders prior to take off. I can't remember the last time that happened. In many cases they wait until we are at or close to cruising altitude before even starting the service.

I've come to view that as the norm, but it is very annoying.

sent to the right place. :)

For what it's worth, on the Hawaii flights we are now offering a choice of water, POG, Champagne or a "Hawaiian Mimosa" (Pog with champagne) and coffee on morning flights. This began on 8/22

Great news! Progress is always good :D

Thanks for sharing ^

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email sent to customer service also.

sent to the right place. :)

For what it's worth, on the Hawaii flights we are now offering a choice of water, POG, Champagne or a "Hawaiian Mimosa" (Pog with champagne) and coffee on morning flights. This began on 8/22

Figures

I flew to LIH on 8/21 :p

But I'm in LIH :cool:

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In my experience since AS went to strictly water, the FA will rarely take drink orders prior to take off. I can't remember the last time that happened. In many cases they wait until we are at or close to cruising altitude before even starting the service.

I've come to view that as the norm, but it is very annoying.

I did end up with a PDCB :cool: recently on a short hop to the Bay Area :D

I understand there are times when PD service of any kind is tricky, and that is perfectly acceptable.


If the galley is catered late, it can be difficult. Tricky? Probably never.

In my experience since AS went to strictly water, the FA will rarely take drink orders prior to take off. I can't remember the last time that happened. In many cases they wait until we are at or close to cruising altitude before even starting the service.

I've come to view that as the norm, but it is very annoying.

I hit the jackpot last week. AS 620 on 8/14/12 PDX-LAS a PDB was given to all in first class. Guy next to me was sipping on Baileys and several other had cocktails.

On the way home on Sunday the FA took drink orders while at the gate.

In 7 years that was the firs time I had seen a PDB with alcohol served.

Someone once mentioned that they preferred flying UA SEA-EWR vs. AS because UA offered a PDB whereas AS did not. Of course, the walkup F/C fare on AS is literally HALF the price of the walkup F/C fare on UA.

I wonder if that PDB is really worth the extra $749.00... ;)

I hit the jackpot last week. AS 620 on 8/14/12 PDX-LAS a PDB was given to all in first class. Guy next to me was sipping on Baileys and several other had cocktails.

On the way home on Sunday the FA took drink orders while at the gate.

In 7 years that was the firs time I had seen a PDB with alcohol served.

I have a feeling that the Las Vegas Visitors Bureau is sponsoring those drinks. Getting you primed on the way there and easing the pain when leaving.:D

I wonder if that PDB is really worth the extra $749.00... ;)

Of course it was. You know, there is free-flowing Krug Grande Cuvee on that fine airline.

Someone once mentioned that they preferred flying UA SEA-EWR vs. AS because UA offered a PDB whereas AS did not. Of course, the walkup F/C fare on AS is literally HALF the price of the walkup F/C fare on UA.

I wonder if that PDB is really worth the extra $749.00... ;)

Well, if that passenger is a UA elite, they probably have better than a snowball's chance of getting an upgrade on that route. I'm pretty sure AS complimentary upgrades on SEA-EWR and v.v. involve human sacrifice to infernal gods.

Anyways... I've gotten TWO PDBs on VX in F. So the excuse of "well, VX only has half the F passengers compared to AS, so of COURSE they can give everyone a drink" I've heard bruited about seems pretty lame.

I can sense one of the issues with the milkruns is that Alaska pads the schedules... there have been times I've sat for 1 hour 20 minutes in Ketchikan (and YES, there was *plenty* of time to do a PDB) and there have been times we are there for like 30 minutes (quick turn for AS). Same with Sitka... I think its all about managing their product.

Our FA did give us water on each stop (Ketch, Sit) inbound to Juneau, and she only asked my drink order once (after takeoff from SEA) - so each leg I was given a new G & T without asking ^_^

I'm just curious why it matters whether the FA takes the drink orders before or after take-off if they are timely in delivering the service? Just an honest question.

I've gotten TWO PDBs on VX in F.

I've been offered two PDBs on a Skywest/DL Cxn CR7 in F.

If Skywest can do PDBs in F on a CR7, I'm amazed AS can't anymore (remember, they used to offer PDBs back around 2000).

I'm just curious why it matters whether the FA takes the drink orders before or after take-off if they are timely in delivering the service? Just an honest question.

I don't care one way or the other. I've always thought it speeds up the first round of drinks though. I've been on several dozen WN flights where they'll take drink orders and sometimes even pass out peanuts on the really short (LA area-LAS) flights.

Now that I've been flying UA for a while, the whole PDB thing is overrated. I find myself asking for water more often than not.

Combined with my customary PDT and PDC, any on board PDB makes me need to PDQ ;)

--mcz

I'm just curious why it matters whether the FA takes the drink orders before or after take-off if they are timely in delivering the service? Just an honest question.

Flying UA more now, I've had a nearly 100% streak in having them take my meal and drink order before takeoff. It makes a noticeable difference in meal service speed. On UA, I get my meal within 20 minutes of the 10,000-foot chime. On AS, I'm lucky if the FA has made his or her way around to me to take my order within 10 minutes of the 10,000-foot chime--it's often close to 45 minutes into the flight before I'm getting my food.

On AS, I have basically ended up realizing that if I want to both eat and sleep, I just assume that the first hour of the flight will be spent dealing with the meal, leaving me with (on an ANC-SEA flight, for instance) about an hour and a half of sleep before the FA awakens me 30 minutes before landing to put my seat in the upright position.

On UA, I can place my food order and then feel free to fall asleep during initial climb out (when I'm tired, the sensation of being pushed back into my chair causes me to go out like a light) without fearing I'll lose my meal. 30 minutes later, the FA will wake me up for dinner. I can eat and go back to sleep and enjoy 2.5 more hours of sleep before the FA wakes me up at 15 minutes before landing to put my seat in the upright position.

Taking the order before take-off both starts the flight off with a pleasant welcome as well as eases a bit of the "when will the food come?" anxiety I feel when I'm a bit peckish.

Now that I've been flying UA for a while, the whole PDB thing is overrated. I find myself asking for water more often than not.

Maybe for you. I rather like my Jim Beam straight-up. :)

On UA, I can place my food order and then feel free to fall asleep during initial climb out (when I'm tired, the sensation of being pushed back into my chair causes me to go out like a light) without fearing I'll lose my meal. 30 minutes later, the FA will wake me up for dinner. I can eat and go back to sleep and enjoy 2.5 more hours of sleep before the FA wakes me up at 15 minutes before landing to put my seat in the upright position.

Taking the order before take-off both starts the flight off with a pleasant welcome as well as eases a bit of the "when will the food come?" anxiety I feel when I'm a bit peckish.


Some people like a more evenly-timed service on a longer flight. Yes, I do like my first beverage relatively quickly, but after two million or so miles, I can't say that I've ever suffered any "when will the food come?" anxiety. Sometimes some "this is taking forever" frustration, or "they're throwing the food at me too quickly" frustration, but never any anxiety. :p

Some people like a more evenly-timed service on a longer flight. Yes, I do like my first beverage relatively quickly, but after two million or so miles, I can't say that I've ever suffered any "when will the food come?" anxiety. Sometimes some "this is taking forever" frustration, or "they're throwing the food at me too quickly" frustration, but never any anxiety. :p

Anxiety because I want it to come quickly so I can maximize my sleep time.

I guess you book more relaxing flight schedules than I do. ;)

Here's how I do the service. Just wondering anybody's thoughts and whether you have any suggestions...

I get up almost always right at 10,000 feet. I'll pass out the DigE's right away so people can get to watching a movie (takes about 3 or 4 minutes). Then I set up my galley (takes about 3 minutes or less), go take orders (takes about 3 or 4 minutes), prepare drinks (takes about 5 or 6 minutes) and deliver drinks (takes about 3 minutes). I suppose, from the time we reach 10,000 feet, it takes about 15 minutes or so for those in the last row to get their first beverage. If there are no DigE's then it takes about 10 minutes or so. I don't rush things but I'm mindful that I don't want to take too long to get the first drink out. I don't take orders on the ground because there is so much else going on that I'm responsible for as the First Class FA that it would be one more thing on my plate. It's easy enough to do it in the air and it only adds just a few minutes to my service delivery time. In addition, the FAA requires that we only perform safety duties while we're on the ground once the door is shut. I get that the reality is sometimes different but that's the FAA's rule. Anyway, with the first beverage service I pass out the packaged snack mix. Once that's complete I go through the cabin and refresh drinks and pass out the ramekins of warm nuts (when we have them). Then I take about 10 minutes to get the lunch/dinner service ready and get my galley ready to serve said. Once that's complete I pass out the menus and go back and take orders. Once orders are taken I'm usually ready to immediately begin the lunch/dinner service by passing out the salads. I would say that, generally speaking, most of my meal service is complete in the first 90 minutes of the flight if it's a transcon or Hawaii flight, if it's a shorter flight (up and down the coast) it takes substantially less time. Midcons shave about 1/2 hour off the service time due to lack of menus and a choice of meal. I get bored once the meal is complete so I like to take my time and do a nice service. Things have changed a lot over the last 10-15 years and I think presentation is everything. Sometimes it's the nicest part of the meal. :) I'm mindful that the FC passengers don't want to wait forever for their meals but I also don't want it to seem as though I'm rushing them to get done.

Anyway, that's it in a nutshell - any thoughts?

Anyway, that's it in a nutshell - any thoughts?

Why, I thought you'd never ask ;)

I prefer the drink prior to the DigE. I'd also prefer the menu with the first drink. Everything else in your sequence is fine with me, including when you take the orders.

I'd venture to say that most of the F cabin is in no immediate rush to start using the DigE.

Some of the DigE content improves dramatically once one begins consuming liquids from the Eskimo's "top shelf." :D

Anxiety because I want it to come quickly so I can maximize my sleep time.

I guess you book more relaxing flight schedules than I do. ;)

(1) Apparently I do. ;) My days of figuring out CPM, if I ever had them, are long over. In the days when my flight schedules weren't as relaxing, there was so much meal service that rushing it was just unpleasant. Even the one tray services on the shorter hops (i.e., IAD/ATL) had 3 courses on the same tray.

(2) I rarely snooze much on a flight. :mad:

I don't take orders on the ground because there is so much else going on that I'm responsible for as the First Class FA that it would be one more thing on my plate.

I've noticed a few times when they take orders on the ground it's because the FAs have done the safety demo, done their checks etc, and we're still at the gate waiting for something. Or they do it when the pilot says we are stuck in line for takeoff.

As for the food service, I'm easy compared to most here. Most of the time I start working when we are over 10k feet and don't realize what's going on until a tray of Chef Cliff's gourmet food shows up.

Why, I thought you'd never ask ;)

I prefer the drink prior to the DigE. I'd also prefer the menu with the first drink. Everything else in your sequence is fine with me, including when you take the orders.

I'd venture to say that most of the F cabin is in no immediate rush to start using the DigE.

Some of the DigE content improves dramatically once one begins consuming liquids from the Eskimo's "top shelf." :D

So here are my observations and again, your thoughts are welcome.

We do the DigE's first because they are the first to go in the main cabin. We do them before the beverage cart back there so, logistically speaking, it just makes sense. As for passing out the menus with the first drink. I've done that before. I've also left them at the seats during boarding. Here's what I've noticed. One of two things usually happens. People start trying to give me their orders right away and I'm not quite there yet OR they tuck it down the seat next to them and when I get to them they completely forget what it was they had to decide on. I find that if I pass them out and then circle back and take orders fairly shortly afterwards, people are still on the same page as me AND once I take orders the dinner shows up shortly afterwards. Otherwise, they end up waiting...

Thoughts?

Great discussion on FT but it does nothing but fustrate most everyone here that posts regarding this topic! BTW, that has been posted way too many times!

Please write to Customer Care and direct your comments to Brad, the Board of Directors and Joe Sprauge due they need to increase the Onboard Food & Beverage budget. Until this is done, there will be no PDB policy at Alaska!

If Alaska can change PDB for Hawaii flights due to the increased service level at HA, then I'm sure they can roll it out systemwide!

So here are my observations and again, your thoughts are welcome.

We do the DigE's first because they are the first to go in the main cabin. We do them before the beverage cart back there so, logistically speaking, it just makes sense. As for passing out the menus with the first drink. I've done that before. I've also left them at the seats during boarding. Here's what I've noticed. One of two things usually happens. People start trying to give me their orders right away and I'm not quite there yet OR they tuck it down the seat next to them and when I get to them they completely forget what it was they had to decide on. I find that if I pass them out and then circle back and take orders fairly shortly afterwards, people are still on the same page as me AND once I take orders the dinner shows up shortly afterwards. Otherwise, they end up waiting...

Thoughts?

Since you asked ;) I understand the logistics of the DigE's and have seen how the carts come out and how they are distributed many-a-time. I'm just referring to my timing preference.

However, on a flight with 4 FAs (currently most of the fleet which would have a DigE), cannot the Y FAs deal with the DigE's while you get the cocktail shaker out to keep the huddled parched masses (ok a mass of 16) yearning to have their thirst set free, satisfied? :p

Interesting comment about the menus - I'm sure you've observed a lot more passenger behavior than I have! I really prefer a bit of time to choose the meal - sometimes I know at first glance, and other times, I really cannot decide. And I can see that the "remedy" could get annoying, i.e., telling everyone as you bring the beverage "I'll be back for your meal orders shortly" when you have to do it on a constant basis.

Since you asked ;) I understand the logistics of the DigE's and have seen how the carts come out and how they are distributed many-a-time. I'm just referring to my timing preference.

However, on a flight with 4 FAs (currently most of the fleet which would have a DigE), cannot the Y FAs deal with the DigE's while you get the cocktail shaker out to keep the huddled parched masses (ok a mass of 16) yearning to have their thirst set free, satisfied? :p

Interesting comment about the menus - I'm sure you've observed a lot more passenger behavior than I have! I really prefer a bit of time to choose the meal - sometimes I know at first glance, and other times, I really cannot decide. And I can see that the "remedy" could get annoying, i.e., telling everyone as you bring the beverage "I'll be back for your meal orders shortly" when you have to do it on a constant basis.

If I'm having a tough time choosing, my decision is even easier, I just tell the FA I'll have whatever they have left over after everyone else has chosen. Never had them not be extremely appreciative. it also seems to help keep my drink full for the rest of the flight.

Since you asked ;) I understand the logistics of the DigE's and have seen how the carts come out and how they are distributed many-a-time. I'm just referring to my timing preference.

However, on a flight with 4 FAs (currently most of the fleet which would have a DigE), cannot the Y FAs deal with the DigE's while you get the cocktail shaker out to keep the huddled parched masses (ok a mass of 16) yearning to have their thirst set free, satisfied? :p

Interesting comment about the menus - I'm sure you've observed a lot more passenger behavior than I have! I really prefer a bit of time to choose the meal - sometimes I know at first glance, and other times, I really cannot decide. And I can see that the "remedy" could get annoying, i.e., telling everyone as you bring the beverage "I'll be back for your meal orders shortly" when you have to do it on a constant basis.

Ahhhhh yes, the cocktail shakers. We usually try not to let you all know that there are cocktail shakers on board. That would mean that we'd be shaking, shaking, shaking all the way to XYZ.

Actually, I think that the main cabin FA's could deliver the DigE's, I just prefer to do it. It takes about 3 or 4 minutes and I feel like it begins the personal connection with my FC passengers. I know that sounds hokey but it's true in any case. I do hear what you're saying though.

As for the menus, fortunately there's not much to digest on our little menus. If you're in row 4 there's often just the question of what's going to be left... :(

The reason you usually don't get your drink order taken until AFTER departure is that we're required to address you by name. We don't get the final report of the name of each passenger in FC by seat number until the agent arrives to say they're finished. From that point on there is not enough time to take orders as we're required to immediately start the safety demo and then take our seats.

The reason you usually don't get your drink order taken until AFTER departure is that we're required to address you by name. We don't get the final report of the name of each passenger in FC by seat number until the agent arrives to say they're finished. From that point on there is not enough time to take orders as we're required to immediately start the safety demo and then take our seats.

Oh yeah, I completely forgot about that too. :) Thank you friend!

Given that most of my flights in F are on DL, where the Y FAs do the PDB (though not for Y passengers as is shown in the safety video,) it is interesting to experience and read about the differences when flying AS F.

It's good to know that AS has cocktail shakers. If this the case on all AS flights, I may just have to order a shaken cocktail. ;) I was pleasantly surprised when the FA on one of my recent flights offered to heat my glass of cognac and the addition of cocktail shakers just adds to the classy experience. Now if AS would start serving Woodford Reserve and Tequila Avion...

In regards to the serving of the mini bottles along with the virgin drink rather than mixing them together, is that a personal preference thing for each FA or a one-time company policy that is not widely followed?

The lack of PDB on AS does prevent threads such as the DL forum's http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta-skymiles/1380208-pre-flight-booze-not-allowed-yyz.html.

Ahhhhh yes, the cocktail shakers. We usually try not to let you all know that there are cocktail shakers on board. That would mean that we'd be shaking, shaking, shaking all the way to XYZ.



I'm still enjoying the denouement of my recent CX F trip, so please forgive me if I am occasionally confused.

The reason you usually don't get your drink order taken until AFTER departure is that we're required to address you by name. We don't get the final report of the name of each passenger in FC by seat number until the agent arrives to say they're finished. From that point on there is not enough time to take orders as we're required to immediately start the safety demo and then take our seats.Fair enough, I guess.

But, they could take my drink order on the ground and learn my name in the air. I would not be offended by that. They could say it as they handed me my drink.:)

It is the quite often long time from take off until the FA actually stands up for the first time that bothers me.

Sorry gang....there are no cocktail shakers on board. The poster was making a little joke I believe.

Sorry gang....there are no cocktail shakers on board. The poster was making a little joke I believe.

Sigh, back to the blended margaritas...

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email sent to customer service also.

sent to the right place. :)

For what it's worth, on the Hawaii flights we are now offering a choice of water, POG, Champagne or a "Hawaiian Mimosa" (Pog with champagne) and coffee on morning flights. This began on 8/22

Figures

I flew to LIH on 8/21 :p

But I'm in LIH :cool:

I'm happy :D

Was just delivered my POG mimosa a few minutes after boarding here in LIH.

Mahalo AS :cool:

The reason you usually don't get your drink order taken until AFTER departure is that we're required to address you by name. We don't get the final report of the name of each passenger in FC by seat number until the agent arrives to say they're finished. From that point on there is not enough time to take orders as we're required to immediately start the safety demo and then take our seats.

Well, gang, I have to tell you that after 4 years of being MPVG I got my first PDB from a FA who's card says "proudly serving for 22 years". Go figure! And he did not address me by name and I would said that 70% of the time I am never addressed by name and only twice I have been thanked for being MVPG. That said, I think the service in FC is always good to exceptional and in the case of the above is was way "north of expected" for the entire 3 hour flight. Now customer service knows about it too. My other 50K a year comes from flying DL and while it is a different FC product, the service is anywhere from good to non-existant. I'll take AS with the water and better service every time!

Well, gang, I have to tell you that after 4 years of being MPVG I got my first PDB from a FA who's card says "proudly serving for 22 years". Go figure! And he did not address me by name and I would said that 70% of the time I am never addressed by name and only twice I have been thanked for being MVPG. That said, I think the service in FC is always good to exceptional and in the case of the above is was way "north of expected" for the entire 3 hour flight. Now customer service knows about it too. My other 50K a year comes from flying DL and while it is a different FC product, the service is anywhere from good to non-existant. I'll take AS with the water and better service every time!

No pre-departure water was offered on flight 62 last Friday ANC-JNU or JNU-SIT.:rolleyes:

The reason you usually don't get your drink order taken until AFTER departure is that we're required to address you by name. We don't get the final report of the name of each passenger in FC by seat number until the agent arrives to say they're finished. From that point on there is not enough time to take orders as we're required to immediately start the safety demo and then take our seats.

I was on 401 SJC-PDX on Wednesday night not only did they take drink orders at the gate they offered everyone in first a pre departure beverage.

Here is me sipping on my Crown and Diet Coke. Only the second time this has happened to me.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2cc26b3127ccef19a78a485cb00000030O10AcOGjVu0aNm IPbz4I/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D1/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Here is me sipping on my Crown and Diet Coke. Only the second time this has happened to me.



How old are you? ;)

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email sent to customer service also.

sent to the right place. :)

For what it's worth, on the Hawaii flights we are now offering a choice of water, POG, Champagne or a "Hawaiian Mimosa" (Pog with champagne) and coffee on morning flights. This began on 8/22

Figures

I flew to LIH on 8/21 :p

But I'm in LIH :cool:

I'm happy :D

Was just delivered my POG mimosa a few minutes after boarding here in LIH.

Mahalo AS :cool:

Enjoyed Sparkling wine ANC-KOA November 10, 2012.

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Enjoyed Sparkling wine ANC-KOA November 10, 2012.

You are so easy to please!

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Enjoyed Sparkling wine ANC-KOA November 10, 2012.

It isn't Dom but it works :)

I don't so much buy into the no PDB's because the staff don't have all the names yet as a (valid to me) reason for water-only, as that unlike Delta, passing through with a tray of waters is challenging enough without a separate FC cabin (without a couple of hundred Y's trooping through); taking orders, filling a few at a time for a few drink runs while that's going on just doesn't work.

I don't so much buy into the no PDB's because the staff don't have all the names yet as a (valid to me) reason for water-only, as that unlike Delta, passing through with a tray of waters is challenging enough without a separate FC cabin (without a couple of hundred Y's trooping through); taking orders, filling a few at a time for a few drink runs while that's going on just doesn't work.

I'm confused by what you're trying to say here. BUT, the no paperwork thing was only mentioned as a reason someone might not take drink orders before push back. The airline doesn't offer PDB's, well I'm not sure why they don't but I imagine it has to do with a few things. They don't want to interfere with the boarding process lest they delay flights. They prefer the Flight Attendants to be distributed throughout the cabin in order to help facilitate faster boarding. You can dispute the validity of either of those things but I believe those to be the primary reasons why a PDB service isn't currently happening. I could be wrong, those are only my thoughts - I haven't heard that from anyone on high.

My point was that if AS had a "separate" F cabin as Delta does, there'd be plenty of opportunity to do drinks. Instead, trying to negotiate around an entire Y cabin's boarding in the aisle makes even the water distribution a bit challenging.

My point was that if AS had a "separate" F cabin as Delta does, there'd be plenty of opportunity to do drinks. Instead, trying to negotiate around an entire Y cabin's boarding in the aisle makes even the water distribution a bit challenging.

well, that's a good point too. It is challenging to try to pass out waters even in a stream of boarding traffic.

I do not care about being addressed by my name during boarding. I am either busy catching up on last minute messages, tasks, etc. Just come over and take my coat in a timely fashion and give me my preferred drink and leave me alone.

Once we are in the air, things are more settled I can appreciate the finer soft touches such as being addressed by name.

It isn't Dom but it works :)

More like It isn't Dom, so you burps! :p

My point was that if AS had a "separate" F cabin as Delta does, there'd be plenty of opportunity to do drinks. Instead, trying to negotiate around an entire Y cabin's boarding in the aisle makes even the water distribution a bit challenging.

This may be true in the case of a 757 when boarding from door 2, however, on pretty much every other narrow-body plane in Delta's domestic fleet they have exactly the same issues as AS, and yet they still manage to get it done.

My point was that if AS had a "separate" F cabin as Delta does, there'd be plenty of opportunity to do drinks. Instead, trying to negotiate around an entire Y cabin's boarding in the aisle makes even the water distribution a bit challenging.

The vast majority of my 80-odd flights on UA last year were on 738/739 aircraft (yes, the same ones Alaska uses). Yet somehow the FAs were able to do a PDB service on every single one of those flights without any issues whatsoever. I think this is a red herring of an excuse.

Really - with those Y crowds filling the aisles? I've only flown DL for non-AS metal recently, so that's why I suggested a separate cabin might make a huge difference? On UA are FA's really able to move around freely enough to accommodate F drinks easily? Once the non-status Y's start boarding on AS, the aisle is usually a solid conga line in F, except for a few minutes as the final dozen or so are getting seated, and then there's an immediate scramble to start the final preparations for boarding door closure and takeoff. I can envision how UA FA's get around the aisle pax easily? I suppose it can be done, but frankly AS FA's seem busy enough dealing with water and coats.

However, I would be kind of annoyed to learn that AS bean counters are the ones opposed to PDB's on a penny-pinching basis.

Really - with those Y crowds filling the aisles?

Yes, it's supposed to be standard though on occasion a need for a faster departure, late catering, or a crew that doesn't feel like it will yield no PDB. I'd say I see PDBs about 90% of the time on UA 737s. The FA manning the boarding door will usually stop boarding briefly to let the first class FA get back to the galley, though sometimes they'll just do the "squeeze by" thing or step in if there's still an empty seat during boarding.

They don't want to interfere with the boarding process lest they delay flights. They prefer the Flight Attendants to be distributed throughout the cabin in order to help facilitate faster boarding. You can dispute the validity of either of those things but I believe those to be the primary reasons why a PDB service isn't currently happening. I could be wrong, those are only my thoughts - I haven't heard that from anyone on high.

I understand management doesn't want to delay flights doing a PDB service. However, I don't think lack of PDB has anything to do with it. Back in the mid-90s, I remember AS would do a pre-flight bev (before switching to water bottles) and still get planes turned in 30 minutes. That was before checkd baggage fees and everyone carrying on the max # of items. Now, it seems to take 40-45 minutes and frequently longer. Furthermore, the door closes and the plane doesn't push back for another five or ten minutes.

I've away thought that it was AS culture to not do PDB. Very occasionally I've been offered more than water. This is just silly Assuming that the plane has been catered, there's no reason the lead FA can't serve 16 drinks while the other FA boards. Many other airlines can manage this. Why can't AS?

I've away thought that it was AS culture to not do PDB. Very occasionally I've been offered more than water. This is just silly Assuming that the plane has been catered, there's no reason the lead FA can't serve 16 drinks while the other FA boards. Many other airlines can manage this. Why can't AS?

I think it's more a matter of AS management's attitude of indifference when it comes to adding any sort of frills to the F product. Clearly they don't see any benefit to their bottom line, which would be a prerequisite to changing anything up. Until they determine that their bare-bones offering is putting them at a competitive disadvantage, I doubt we'll see any substantive enhancements to First class.

I do not care about being addressed by my name during boarding. I am either busy catching up on last minute messages, tasks, etc. Just come over and take my coat in a timely fashion and give me my preferred drink and leave me alone.

Once we are in the air, things are more settled I can appreciate the finer soft touches such as being addressed by name.

Nobody wants to address you by name during boarding. That's not even what's being talked about here. The issue of PDB's is completely separate from the issue of not taking orders quickly enough for some.

I understand management doesn't want to delay flights doing a PDB service. However, I don't think lack of PDB has anything to do with it. Back in the mid-90s, I remember AS would do a pre-flight bev (before switching to water bottles) and still get planes turned in 30 minutes. That was before checkd baggage fees and everyone carrying on the max # of items. Now, it seems to take 40-45 minutes and frequently longer. Furthermore, the door closes and the plane doesn't push back for another five or ten minutes.

As I said, that's only my assumption and not something that I've been told officially. Back when we were still leaving small water bottles on the armrests I heard that a PDB service would be less expensive. Whether that's true or not I don't know. Now that we're only serving bottled water I assume that it would be pretty cost neutral for the most part. As far as how boarding impacts a PDB service, or a PDB service impacts boarding, planes have never been as punctual as they are today... or as full. It takes 40-45 minutes to board today because the planes are full and passengers are carrying record amounts of stuff on with them. When you're boarding a 75% full plane and there aren't a lot of carry-on's it's bound to take a lot less time. IMO.

I just want to say, I can give you a thousand and one excuses why a PDB service can't be done but when you look at the competition doing them all my reasoning sounds ridiculous. At this point, I think it's most likely a cultural difference. That said, I envision that changing at some point in the not incredibly distant future. Again, just my opinion.

I just want to say, I can give you a thousand and one excuses why a PDB service can't be done but when you look at the competition doing them all my reasoning sounds ridiculous. At this point, I think it's most likely a cultural difference. That said, I envision that changing at some point in the not incredibly distant future. Again, just my opinion.

I can say this is slowly shifting with the PDB Sparkling Wine/Pogmosa offering on flights to Hawai'i - a great way to start off the flight to paradise ^

I feel I can shed some light on this.

Do ya'll remember the lawsuit in New Mexico where a passenger just got off a USAirways flight from PHX, drove to a bar, got a drink, then continued driving and killed someone? And then that person's family sued USAirways?

Apparently some airlines are taking a firm stand on not serving alcohol on the ground in many cities because some states require a liquor license. I do know, for a fact, this is why Mesa Airlines worked diligently to get liquor licenses in all the states they fly in, and also had to do proper training for their FAs (or at least DID). USAirways, however, did not want to comply, saying it is a federal issue, not state.. and US stopped doing PDB's for a while.

I'm not sure if they've started it again, but I know that some airlines felt the same as Mesa / USAirways and either stopped doing PDB's to ensure they won't get in trouble with local liquor laws, or got licensed to comply.