United MileagePlus (Consolidated) - The new UA? FA shouts menu to F cabin, asks for show of hands

I've been booking away from UA since 3/3 to give time for the dust to settle. This week decided to try UA again. Four segments: a mid-con to IAH (CO 738), two SkyWest flights, and a mid-con from DEN (UA 757).

On the flight to IAH, the Direct TV was not working in first but working in coach. Sitting in row 2, I thought there was a decent shot I might get a meal selection; whatever the second choice was, it was gone after row 1's orders were taken. After the meal service, we didn't see any FAs for two full hours (no drink service, no walking the cabin etc.). The F FA was sitting in his seat reading and didn't even get up when he saw a pax spill her beverage all over her seat.

The two SkyWest flights had the usual good SkyWest service in F.

The final flight, ex-DEN, was particularly interesting. As boarding was close to concluding, an FA stood in front of the full 757 first class cabin and yelled out the meal choices (yes, yelled - so she could be heard 6 rows back while people were still boarding). She said she didn't believe in any "pecking order," said that we should all be treated the same, and asked people to raise their hands to indicate the meal they wanted. When she didn't get enough requests for the salad she walked around the cabin loudly cajoling more people to choose the salad.

Really? Is this what we've come to? It felt like a kindergarten class. The FA seemed perfectly nice (aside from the fact that even with her new procedure, she still gave me the wrong meal), but UA, please listen: I don't care about a "pecking order" either. Yes, I liked it when orders were taken by status, but what I really care about is consistency. Set a policy. Keep it in place for more than 2 months. Then make sure it's followed. And don't treat people who buy F class tickets like toddlers or nobody is going to see any point in paying a premium for that kind of service.

As a 1K for 12 consecutive years, I'd been struggling with whether to stay with UA or go elsewhere post 3/3. If this is the new UA, the decision isn't actually as hard as I assumed it would be. (Oh, and I figured out the answer to the "Who loves Costco?" thread in OMNI: UA - the calzone and cheeseburger both tasted like they were right out of the box at Costco. Ugh!)

Video please, or else I find it hard to believe.

Wait, this is the UA forum. Nevermind. I'm a believe it.

I was on CO in First several years back. The flight attendant had 2 bottles of wine--one in each hand. If somebody wanted red, she put the bottle of white on the floor in the aisle and poured the red. If somebody wanted white, she did the opposite. That was one of the strangest services I had ever seen.

Whom did she cajole into choosing salad? The fat ones?

Yeah, this sounds like the kind of first-class service that would make me glad to be in economy.

Whom did she cajole into choosing salad? The fat ones?

She walked around the cabin saying things like "come on, I only need X more salads... make your fellow passengers happy... everyone work together here... c'mon, if you all work as a team, this will be much easier." The quotes may be a bit off but that was the gist of it.

After she had completed taking the orders, she told one passenger that she'd been told by a psychologist that this way of taking orders was more effective than asking individual passengers for their preferences.

I have no trouble believing this.

After she had completed taking the orders, she told one passenger that she'd been told by a psychologist that this way of taking orders was more effective than asking individual passengers for their preferences.

Wow! Just, wow!
:td:

After the meal service, we didn't see any FAs for two full hours (no drink service, no walking the cabin etc.).

This seems to be the norm on "CO" flights; same issue on all my EWR-MCO-EWR and EWR-DFW-EWR flights since last year. Lately I have instead flown LGA-ORD-DFW with ex-UA or EWR-DFW on AA.

After she had completed taking the orders, she told one passenger that she'd been told by a psychologist that this way of taking orders was more effective than asking individual passengers for their preferences.

Possibly her own?

After she had completed taking the orders, she told one passenger that she'd been told by a psychologist that this way of taking orders was more effective than asking individual passengers for their preferences.

I think she needs to talk to a different psychologist. (on a more regular basis)

I think she needs to talk to a different psychologist. (on a more regular basis)

LOL! I couldn't agree more!

I've been booking away from UA since 3/3 to give time for the dust to settle. This week decided to try UA again. Four segments: a mid-con to IAH (CO 738), two SkyWest flights, and a mid-con from DEN (UA 757).

On the flight to IAH, the Direct TV was not working in first but working in coach. Sitting in row 2, I thought there was a decent shot I might get a meal selection; whatever the second choice was, it was gone after row 1's orders were taken. After the meal service, we didn't see any FAs for two full hours (no drink service, no walking the cabin etc.). The F FA was sitting in his seat reading and didn't even get up when he saw a pax spill her beverage all over her seat.

The two SkyWest flights had the usual good SkyWest service in F.

The final flight, ex-DEN, was particularly interesting. As boarding was close to concluding, an FA stood in front of the full 757 first class cabin and yelled out the meal choices (yes, yelled - so she could be heard 6 rows back while people were still boarding). She said she didn't believe in any "pecking order," said that we should all be treated the same, and asked people to raise their hands to indicate the meal they wanted. When she didn't get enough requests for the salad she walked around the cabin loudly cajoling more people to choose the salad.

Really? Is this what we've come to? It felt like a kindergarten class. The FA seemed perfectly nice (aside from the fact that even with her new procedure, she still gave me the wrong meal), but UA, please listen: I don't care about a "pecking order" either. Yes, I liked it when orders were taken by status, but what I really care about is consistency. Set a policy. Keep it in place for more than 2 months. Then make sure it's followed. And don't treat people who buy F class tickets like toddlers or nobody is going to see any point in paying a premium for that kind of service.

As a 1K for 12 consecutive years, I'd been struggling with whether to stay with UA or go elsewhere post 3/3. If this is the new UA, the decision isn't actually as hard as I assumed it would be. (Oh, and I figured out the answer to the "Who loves Costco?" thread in OMNI: UA - the calzone and cheeseburger both tasted like they were right out of the box at Costco. Ugh!)

This from the "greatest and most professional employees in the business" according to Jeffie $misek....I totally believe it and have experienced this unprofessional type of behavior on the quite a COdbaUA flights I have been on so far. I find the captains announcing that this flight is manned "by a Continental Airlines legacy crew" to be the most offensive. I usually know the service is going to be close behind when I hear that said.

I sort of like this idea and kudos for her creativity... ;)

And don't treat people who buy F class tickets like toddlers or nobody is going to see any point in paying a premium for that kind of service.

Most of the folks in most F cabins are folks who didn't "buy" their tickets, but, like me and most/many of you, got there as a freebie upgrade.

I sort of like this idea and kudos for her creativity... ;)



Most of the folks in most F cabins are folks who didn't "buy" their tickets, but, like me and most/many of you, got there as a freebie upgrade.

That may be so, and usually you'll find me in the "Hey, if you paid for economy you can't complain about anything that happens in First Class" category, but this is really just embarrassing. It would be embarrassing in any class... except perhaps Kindergarten.

Anyway, seriously though, OP should complain to United about this, including the date and flight number so this particular FA can be tracked down and told to stop doing this. She probably thinks it's a good idea -- which is exactly why low-level employees shouldn't be empowered to make their own decisions.

If low-level employees didn't suck at making decisions they wouldn't be low-level employees. ;)

...which is exactly why low-level employees shouldn't be empowered to make their own decisions.

Except when we want them to bend/break the rules.... ;)

I sort of like this idea and kudos for her creativity... ;)

How about a raffle or maybe a Halfway-to-Hawaii contest, with folks guessing when the drink service will start? Or a whole variety of such initiatives, with a new UA advertising promotion: "Making Mealtime Fun." ;)

Except when we want them to bend/break the rules.... ;)

This is FT. That goes without saying. ;)

I sort of like this idea and kudos for her creativity... ;)



Most of the folks in most F cabins are folks who didn't "buy" their tickets, but, like me and most/many of you, got there as a freebie upgrade.

Keep in mind that some people in F do buy the tickets, should they be treated as the OP describes? Also, some upgrades are via copay and miles, so those who did this have "paid", albeit in a different manner.

I was on CO in First several years back. The flight attendant had 2 bottles of wine--one in each hand. If somebody wanted red, she put the bottle of white on the floor in the aisle and poured the red. If somebody wanted white, she did the opposite. That was one of the strangest services I had ever seen.

or as (too) often seen: FAs holding the wine bottle at the neck & poor the wine almost over their fingers into the pax glass!

This is so bizarre. The old UA never would have tolerated this.

This is so bizarre. The old UA never would have tolerated this. Oh, come on. I saw "the old UA" do absolutely horrible things to passengers for years, in all classes. This is not a lineage thing. This is about much of the entire workforce, no matter where they came from, giving up completely in the face of angry, anti-customer management and degenerating operations.

This is so bizarre. The old UA never would have tolerated this.

Most UA FAs didn't even follow the official meal policy on old UA anyway. Official policy was ask for first and second choice, figure it out in the galley by status, and then advise people not getting first choice. Most just bobbled around the cabin and checked off meals since it was easier (and an older protocol).

Regarding this poster's experience, this was inappropriate and should be written in. Unless the FA was super cool and skipped the Smisek video or something, this nuttiness is ridiculous.

The FA seemed perfectly nice (aside from the fact that even with her new procedure, she still gave me the wrong meal)
(Oh, and I figured out the answer to the "Who loves Costco?" thread in OMNI: UA - the calzone and cheeseburger both tasted like they were right out of the box at Costco. Ugh!)

Next time before you fly go to Costco & get a (to-go) Caesar salad. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

I sort of like this idea and kudos for her creativity... ;)


I am surprised it took until post 13. :rolleyes:

The up side is that the FAs can spend more time in the galley reading Peoples.

I think this woman knows a thing or two about business efficiency. In fact, I think I'm going to start using her plan. I'll just go into my waiting room and say, "Can I see a show of hands for who has a sore throat?" "Okay, now STDs. Can I see a show of hands?" "Generalized anxiety disorder? I see five hands. That's too many. I need three of you anxious people to pick something else."

It will make everything go so much more quickly, and I won't have to fuss with "individualized" service or giving a @#$!. The whole privacy law / losing my license thing might be an issue.

There are so many friendly, kind, and professional people at United and the erstwhile Continental. It's painful to observe low morale and disinterest. This story is no surprise at all. These are people who don't care about their jobs, but the economy is such that they lack other options. I just wish they could say to themselves, "This is the job I have chosen, I can't leave right now, so I'm going to my job well."

I just wish they could say to themselves, "This is the job I have chosen, I can't leave right now, so I'm going to my job well."

I just wish they could say it to each other, just once, instead of continually bi-ching.

Oh, come on. I saw "the old UA" do absolutely horrible things to passengers for years, in all classes. This is not a lineage thing. This is about much of the entire workforce, no matter where they came from, giving up completely in the face of angry, anti-customer management and degenerating operations.

^ New to FlyerTalk..Lots of great info on this site!

On this subject though, I cannot recall anything similar in F on either Co or UA. Sometimes they ask a GS for their choice before other F pax but I have never before heard the menu choice yelled to the cabin. Perhaps I have just been lucky?

I think this woman knows a thing or two about business efficiency. In fact, I think I'm going to start using her plan. I'll just go into my waiting room and say, "Can I see a show of hands for who has a sore throat?" "Okay, now STDs. Can I see a show of hands?" "Generalized anxiety disorder? I see five hands. That's too many. I need three of you anxious people to pick something else."

It will make everything go so much more quickly, and I won't have to fuss with "individualized" service or giving a @#$!. The whole privacy law / losing my license thing might be an issue.

There are so many friendly, kind, and professional people at United and the erstwhile Continental. It's painful to observe low morale and disinterest. This story is no surprise at all. These are people who don't care about their jobs, but the economy is such that they lack other options. I just wish they could say to themselves, "This is the job I have chosen, I can't leave right now, so I'm going to my job well."

:D FAs could simply imitate TSA service and start screaming "Opt out" at anybody daring to refuse the salad choice - or maybe "No soup for you!" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNwbjcuQUv8) ;)

Oh, come on. I saw "the old UA" do absolutely horrible things to passengers for years, in all classes. This is not a lineage thing. This is about much of the entire workforce, no matter where they came from, giving up completely in the face of angry, anti-customer management and degenerating operations.

Some nuance would help here.

....Unless the FA was super cool and skipped the Smisek video or something, this nuttiness is ridiculous.

In other words, follow procedure unless it's something you don't like?

I am surprised it took until post 13. :rolleyes:

The up side is that the FAs can spend more time in the galley reading Peoples.

No wonder some UA staff intensely dislike FTers. I have just rarely encountered anything like that, but I guess it's rhetorically effective (as 1/2 the threads now in this forum show :()

I think this woman knows a thing or two about business efficiency. In fact, I think I'm going to start using her plan. I'll just go into my waiting room and say....

Oh goody. Another analogy. ;)

These are people who don't care about their jobs,

Would concur if you changed "these" to "some."

I just wish they could say to themselves, "This is the job I have chosen, I can't leave right now, so I'm going to my job well."

Most of the UA staff I have encountered have exactly that attitude and respond in-kind to a positive and cheerful attitude on my part.

In my limited experience with UA and CO flights, I found that UA crew provided the absolutely lowest level of customer service and (surprisingly) the CO flights I took all were totally awesome.

I have flown ex-CO crew flights between BOM-EWR and v/v, plus FRA-EWR and v/v.

I choose these now UA (ex-CO) flights to/from FRA as much as possible to enjoy the service on board, which blows away LH's, even though the beer selection totally sucks on these flights.

The last time I flew on a UA (metal) flight in F, the lead F/A simply ignored me for drink service *as well as* a taking a meal order!

(Must have been the SEN FF# I had in the reservation, eh? :p )

I flew FC IAH - CLE this past week, and the service was executed with grace, precision and professionalism; as is always from my experiences.

My Primary FC experiences are mostly PreMCO, in following lanes between airports noted.

CLE, CMH, IAH, DTW, EWR, SAN, SNA, SFM, SFO, LAX; SEA, PDX, PHX, TPA


I have yet to fly FC on UA, through PreMUA airport (ORD, DEN, IAD) or equipment (airbus).

...the service was executed with grace, precision and professionalism; as is always from my experiences.

^ Pretty much the standard I see on my flights.

Oh, come on. I saw "the old UA" do absolutely horrible things to passengers for years, in all classes. This is not a lineage thing. This is about much of the entire workforce, no matter where they came from, giving up completely in the face of angry, anti-customer management and degenerating operations.

+1

Although I still see a higher level of service delivery from the 'old time' CO crew members. It's the younger ones that slip up or go bonkers, and the UA crews that either deliver "programmatically correct" service or go bonkers.

Case in point - senior FA 'Liz' on my CO flight last week. She delivered amazing service, and was testimony to the culture that made CO the #1 domestic carrier for so many years. She had a conversation about her job with the two annoying gibber-gabbers behind me. Her enthusiasm after such a long career was really exciting to listen to. By the time she finished explaining how and why her job was the most amazing career in the world, I was almost updating my resume to apply!

What this airline needs is more people like Liz, and fewer crew members who are taking these organizational difficulties personally and either going bonkers or taking out their frustration on customers. An added bonus would be senior leadership who are "airline people" and not lawyers and accountants.

What this airline needs is more people like Liz, and fewer crew members who are taking these organizational difficulties personally and either going bonkers or taking out their frustration on customers.

True. But fortunately there are already lots of the former and few of the latter. ^

I sort of like this idea and kudos for her creativity... ;)



Most of the folks in most F cabins are folks who didn't "buy" their tickets, but, like me and most/many of you, got there as a freebie upgrade.

Seriously?

Are we going to go into this "free upgrade" discussion again? It DOESN'T MATTER how you got that seat in F. You are in F and should be treated equally to others who paid for it, used miles to redeem, or whatever.

The only exception is GS, and they should get their choice first. And why? United decied that it was going to be their policy to do it. It is published as a rule for the Flight Attendants. Why people think it's okay for someone to unilaterally change a rule is beyond me. FOLLOW THE RULES.

Be creative with your 5 year-old at home.

This is so bizarre. The old UA never would have tolerated this.

I'm pretty sure the old UA did tolerate this - or at least didn't know about it - as she said she'd been flying with UA for 30 years (although she didn't say how long she's been taking meal orders this way).

Anyway, seriously though, OP should complain to United about this, including the date and flight number so this particular FA can be tracked down and told to stop doing this. She probably thinks it's a good idea -- which is exactly why low-level employees shouldn't be empowered to make their own decisions.

In the "old days" I probably would have, but from what I've read here in the few months I've been away from UA things have gone downhill dramatically. If they can't fix things like TOD upgrades, actually keeping flight segments booked on partners intact, etc., I can't imagine they are going to spend much time dealing with what may be a rogue FA. And if they DID, I'd be even more concerned since it sounds like they really need to get the rest of their house in order.

Flying TATL in F soon (booked UA purposefully instead of LH - don't yell - it's a test); we'll see what things are like internationally.

It has been 12-14 years since this flight, but I was flying ORD-SNA...B-757...I had upgraded a colleague with me and we were in 4A and 4B......Just before pushing back from the gate, the one FA (looked just like Dudley Moore and soon found out he sounded just like him), stood at the front of the plane and shouted...."Ok...for dinner....we have Crab Cakes, a chicken dish and a pasta dish....we don't have 24 of each so someone of you will not get what you want...I am taking orders starting right here with 1A and 1B and working my way back......if you get your first choice...great....if not....tough...."

These are the types of stories that stay with you forever....

On another note, back in the summer of 2002 I was flying SFO-ANC with my GF on a A-320 and we had "Mrs Doubtfire's' twin for a FA....she was great and even got an extra sundae from her....^

Again...YMMV.....

In my limited experience with UA and CO flights, I found that UA crew provided the absolutely lowest level of customer service and (surprisingly) the CO flights I took all were totally awesome.

I have flown ex-CO crew flights between BOM-EWR and v/v, plus FRA-EWR and v/v.

I choose these now UA (ex-CO) flights to/from FRA as much as possible to enjoy the service on board, which blows away LH's, even though the beer selection totally sucks on these flights.

The last time I flew on a UA (metal) flight in F, the lead F/A simply ignored me for drink service *as well as* a taking a meal order!

(Must have been the SEN FF# I had in the reservation, eh? :p )

I find it very hard to believe that COdbaUA FC service "blows away" LH's FC service. LH's FC service is incredible on their 747's TATL to FRA and there is no way COdbaUA staffs a FC cabin like LH. Have you flown LH FC TATL??

Oh, come on. I saw "the old UA" do absolutely horrible things to passengers for years, in all classes. This is not a lineage thing. This is about much of the entire workforce, no matter where they came from, giving up completely in the face of angry, anti-customer management and degenerating operations.

I have never witnessed this type of behavior in over 30 plus years with UA. But I have already witnessed it with COdbaUA since March 3, 2012. :rolleyes:

Seriously?

Are we going to go into this "free upgrade" discussion again? It DOESN'T MATTER how you got that seat in F. You are in F and should be treated equally to others who paid for it, used miles to redeem, or whatever.

The only exception is GS, and they should get their choice first. And why? United decied that it was going to be their policy to do it. It is published as a rule for the Flight Attendants. Why people think it's okay for someone to unilaterally change a rule is beyond me. FOLLOW THE RULES.

I will never quite understand the ire and passion over the issue of what meal one gets and how. The meals haven't been that great for ten years now.

It is my experience that exCON flights have poorer service in F.

On a recent TATL flight in Y the meal choice was chicken or beef. I asked for the beef, but was then told no beef left, so I 'chose' chicken. The FA said, 'well it all tastes the same anyway'! I told him he shouldn't say things like that, and he asked why......

On a recent TATL flight in Y the meal choice was chicken or beef. I asked for the beef, but was then told no beef left, so I 'chose' chicken. The FA said, 'well it all tastes the same anyway'! I told him he shouldn't say things like that, and he asked why......

To paraphrase Col. Jessep (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Few_Good_Men), can't you handle the truth? :D I kinda respect the honesty. ^

That and "it's all airplane food" are usually what we tell the FA when offering to be flexible about meal choices. ;)

...when offering to be flexible about meal choices. ;)

^ I almost always say "Whatever will help you out more."

Oh, come on. I saw "the old UA" do absolutely horrible things to passengers for years, in all classes. This is not a lineage thing. This is about much of the entire workforce, no matter where they came from, giving up completely in the face of angry, anti-customer management and degenerating operations.

I heartily agree with your general point about management and its negative effects on customers and employees alike, but I wouldn't go so far as to excuse this lousy FA conduct on that basis.

Most UA FAs didn't even follow the official meal policy on old UA anyway. Official policy was ask for first and second choice, figure it out in the galley by status, and then advise people not getting first choice. Most just bobbled around the cabin and checked off meals since it was easier (and an older protocol).

Regarding this poster's experience, this was inappropriate and should be written in. Unless the FA was super cool and skipped the Smisek video or something, this nuttiness is ridiculous.

+1 OP, I hope you wrote to UA about this (unless of course she skipped Sleasek, which compensates for a fair number of customer service sins in my book).

Seriously?

Are we going to go into this "free upgrade" discussion again? It DOESN'T MATTER how you got that seat in F. You are in F and should be treated equally to others who paid for it, used miles to redeem, or whatever.

The only exception is GS, and they should get their choice first. And why? United decied that it was going to be their policy to do it. It is published as a rule for the Flight Attendants. Why people think it's okay for someone to unilaterally change a rule is beyond me. FOLLOW THE RULES.

Be creative with your 5 year-old at home.

I will never quite understand the ire and passion over the issue of what meal one gets and how. The meals haven't been that great for ten years now.

I believe iluv2fly was mainly rejecting the notion that complimentary upgraders should take whatever they get, not the meals. And I very much agree with iluv in that regard.

I will never quite understand the ire and passion over the issue of what meal one gets and how. The meals haven't been that great for ten years now.

The food itself being what it is, FA attitude matters all that much more in defining F service. @:-)

^ I almost always say "Whatever will help you out more."

Along with an occasional more tangible reward ;) we have had FAs get downright emotional and offer effusive thanks. It shows the misery they must go through with some pax and I understand (although don't approve) why a few FAs try "creative" approaches such as the OP experienced or else end up being brusque about it.

I believe iluv2fly was mainly rejecting the notion that complimentary upgraders should take whatever they get, not the meals. And I very much agree with iluv in that regard.

I understand your point, but still do not quite get why it is Such A Big Deal to so many folks.

Along with an occasional more tangible reward ;) we have had FAs get downright emotional and offer effusive thanks. It shows the misery they must go through with some pax and I understand (although don't approve) why a few FAs try "creative" approaches such as the OP experienced or else end up being brusque about it.

Very well-said. I've had that experience too, when watching an FA deal with a F upgraded from his $25 ticket or whatever who made her life hell.

The food itself being what it is, FA attitude matters all that much more in defining F service. @:-)

And I virtually always have no complaints in this regard.

I choose these now UA (ex-CO) flights to/from FRA as much as possible to enjoy the service on board, which blows away LH's, even though the beer selection totally sucks on these flights.


YMMV - my EWR-FRA r/t on PMCO a/c this year had quite the indifferent FAs, one of whom skipped over me (row 8) and took the rest of the cabin's meal orders first. Accidental but unsurprising, since status doesn't mean much now.

Will take a great LH crew any day over PMCO or PMUA. My A380 ride in C was exceptional crew-wise.

I sort of like this idea and kudos for her creativity... ;)


+1

I have long thought it silly and inefficient not to announce the menu. With only six rows, asking for a show of hands is a good idea. The FA should be given a bonus by UA and thanks by her customers for making the meal service more efficient. Asking people individually, in such a small group, only makes pax wait longer for their food.

1. Stop flying UA.
2. When in doubt, please see rule #1
3. Glad I could help clarify things for you!

^ New to FlyerTalk..Lots of great info on this site!

On this subject though, I cannot recall anything similar in F on either Co or UA. Sometimes they ask a GS for their choice before other F pax but I have never before heard the menu choice yelled to the cabin. Perhaps I have just been lucky?

Welcome to FT, PSP! :)

+1

I have long thought it silly and inefficient not to announce the menu. With only six rows, asking for a show of hands is a good idea. The FA should be given a bonus by UA and thanks by her customers for making the meal service more efficient. Asking people individually, in such a small group, only makes pax wait longer for their food.

How is this possibly more efficient? According to OP the FA was forced to walk around the cabin 'cajoling' pax to switch their choice.... efficient? Doesn't sound like it to me. Additionally OP stated this was done toward the end of boarding so how this could allow pax to get their food quicker, when they were still on the ground, is beyond me.

It might be good to read the OP rather than basing your understanding on non-OP posts.

This sounds so kindergarten-y.

This from the "greatest and most professional employees in the business" according to Jeffie $misek....I totally believe it and have experienced this unprofessional type of behavior on the quite a COdbaUA flights I have been on so far. I find the captains announcing that this flight is manned "by a Continental Airlines legacy crew" to be the most offensive. I usually know the service is going to be close behind when I hear that said.

The OP mentioned the FA who was barking at the F class passengers was on a sUA 757, hence it was a sUA crew.

The OP mentioned the FA who was barking at the F class passengers was on a sUA 757, hence it was a sUA crew.OP expressed issues with both sUA & sCO crews -- pretty much unhappy with both

OP expressed issues with both sUA & sCO crews -- pretty much unhappy with both
I believe Brasilia's post was expressing a bias against pmCO crews and service, with the assumption that both the indifferent service on the IAH midcon and the "weird" service on the DEN flight were due to the cabin crew being pmCO.

JOSECONLSCREW28's points out that the second crew (ex-DEN) was a pmUA crew.

You, of course, are correct in pointing out that both pmCO and pmUA crews were involved.

OP, how did the other passengers react to this new meal choice methodology? I have to admit that it does sound somewhat more optimal from the aggregate utility function perspective, but does lack in graciousness of service.

Then again, I lacked a bit in graciousness this week. I was traveling with a work colleague and the gate agent called his name several times for rebooking as he was going to miss his connection due to a delay. Around the 4th time I finally yelled over to her that he was in the restroom.

I sort of like this idea and kudos for her creativity... ;)



Most of the folks in most F cabins are folks who didn't "buy" their tickets, but, like me and most/many of you, got there as a freebie upgrade.

+1 I agree. If it's friendly/ humorous it's a nice break from some of the robot service you get on some airlines.

OP, how did the other passengers react to this new meal choice methodology? I have to admit that it does sound somewhat more optimal from the aggregate utility function perspective, but does lack in graciousness of service.

It was hard to tell because I was so surprised. I didn't look around the cabin but just listened. Ultimately she got enough people to agree to "request" the salad so it worked out, but I stayed silent so it's hard for me to judge who else thought it was a good idea or thought it was a bad idea but kept quiet. It only took her about four attempts to get us all to "work as a team."

Having had more than enough of the prior UA's filet mignon, I'm usually one of the people who says "just bring me whatever is left over," but this was so bizarre I just sat there and listened to it unfold.

And for the person who suggested the Costco salads aren't that bad: I actually agree - most of their fresh food is pretty good. But I don't equate the calzone and cheeseburger with "fresh" (or even healthy) food.

Most of the folks in most F cabins are folks who didn't "buy" their tickets, but, like me and most/many of you, got there as a freebie upgrade.

:-:

Asking people individually, in such a small group, only makes pax wait longer for their food.

Sorry if I wasn't clear - this was done on the ground. Nobody waited for anything. The food came out at a pretty rapid pace once the service began.

+1

I have long thought it silly and inefficient not to announce the menu. With only six rows, asking for a show of hands is a good idea. The FA should be given a bonus by UA and thanks by her customers for making the meal service more efficient. Asking people individually, in such a small group, only makes pax wait longer for their food.

Well to make it more efficient the FA's could just give you what they think you want to eat. Or even better, why give FC passengers a choice at all. As yu know, giving choices makes people fell way over-entitled IMHO!!!! :)

I will never quite understand the ire and passion over the issue of what meal one gets and how. The meals haven't been that great for ten years now.

This seems like a particularly ironic thing to read coming from a "moderator" on flyertalk. Seriously you can't understand why frequent flyers passionately discuss frequent flyer benefits in a forum dedicated to discussing frequent flyer benefits?

Really? Is this what we've come to? It felt like a kindergarten class. The FA seemed perfectly nice (aside from the fact that even with her new procedure, she still gave me the wrong meal), but UA, please listen: I don't care about a "pecking order" either. Yes, I liked it when orders were taken by status, but what I really care about is consistency. Set a policy. Keep it in place for more than 2 months

I'm beginning to think they make it up as they go along.

This seems to be the norm on "CO" flights; same issue on all my EWR-MCO-EWR and EWR-DFW-EWR flights since last year. Lately I have instead flown LGA-ORD-DFW with ex-UA or EWR-DFW on AA.

Wow, I've NEVER had a problem with PMCO FAs disappearing, especially in FC. Running out of my favorite adult beverage, well, that's another story (but only a few times).

I find the captains announcing that this flight is manned "by a Continental Airlines legacy crew" to be the most offensive. I usually know the service is going to be close behind when I hear that said.

Agree with the announcement being borderline offensive, but maybe because they announce they are PMCO crew, service has always been OK.

But really :rolleyes: If you want to be the best, aspire to AS service (sorry, never flew Jet Blue or Virgin, though I hear they are good, but they don't seem to offer service to or perks I'm looking for).

EmailKid

This is why I prefer LH F even though the seat is the same as coach. You get efficient service that seems effortless. The breakfast cold-platter has precisely placed smoked salmon--like what you'd get a restaurant. The clean, new-style seats makes you feel like you're really in the jet-age.

To paraphrase Col. Jessep (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Few_Good_Men), can't you handle the truth? :D I kinda respect the honesty. ^

That and "it's all airplane food" are usually what we tell the FA when offering to be flexible about meal choices. ;)

One of my favourite films.

^ I almost always say "Whatever will help you out more."

I should clarify this was a lighthearted exchange. I am not picky about food. I just didn't think that it was appropriate for him to declare to the cabin that all airplane food is the same. I personally don't agree anyway. I like most airplane food. I guess that puts me in a minority though.

It matters to me more now than before. I do not eat lettuce or most raw vegetables. The old "salad" actually had a lot of things in it, such as cheese, olives, nuts, etc., as well as the big chunk of chicken on top. The new salad actually is more (green)-salad like. Previously, I didn't mind the "salad"--I just didn't eat the lettuce, etc. Now that strategy leaves a fairly meager meal.

If UA doesn't care about "pecking order" then I won't care about loyalty.

This seems like a particularly ironic thing to read coming from a "moderator" on flyertalk. Seriously you can't understand why frequent flyers passionately discuss frequent flyer benefits in a forum dedicated to discussing frequent flyer benefits?

+1

Surprised that posts of such little value came from a moderator. It's disappointing that the obvious lack of service related in the OP can't be seen. And aggregious to pull the "didn't pay for F card".

When she didn't get enough requests for the salad she walked around the cabin loudly cajoling more people to choose the salad.


Someone should of started singing this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM6xVQwIOYQ :P

Seriously?

Are we going to go into this "free upgrade" discussion again? It DOESN'T MATTER how you got that seat in F. You are in F and should be treated equally to others who paid for it, used miles to redeem, or whatever.

The only exception is GS, and they should get their choice first. And why? United decied that it was going to be their policy to do it. It is published as a rule for the Flight Attendants. Why people think it's okay for someone to unilaterally change a rule is beyond me. FOLLOW THE RULES.

Be creative with your 5 year-old at home.

+1, well said!