US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Rude Flight Attendant

I have already posted my displeasure with learning of the change in the on-board Cafe program in which I was on two separate full flights (150+ pax) and US Air had 7 and 8 snack boxes, respectively, available.

My last flight on US Air sealed the deal, though - I will not fly them again. To set the scene, this is Monday morning, November 8th from IAH to CLT (BTW, I have to say that all of the TA's and GA's for US Air at IAH are wonderful).

We get to altitude and the FA's begin to serve beverages and BOB morning meals. I was in an aisle seat but didn't pay attention to the beverage service until the cart was rolled right next to me. Apparently, the pax in the row before me had gotten served by the female FA before the cart was rolled, and one of them asked for a new cup of coffee because the cream that was provided was sour (it was one of those "mini-moo's" type things). The female FA passed a new cup of coffee and new creams to the male FA that was now next to that row. The pax tried it again, and again complained that the cream was sour. The female FA heard that, said something like, "let me get cream from the back," and went to do so. In the meantime, I think the male FA was taking beverage orders from the other side of that same row. He then took the coffee and cream from the complaining pax and said, "WhatEVER! Those do not go sour!"

(I know for a fact that they DO go sour - had that experience at a client's once, but luckily they also had the powdered cream, letting me avoid the mini-moo's in the future).

He said it loud enough for me to hear, because I was in the aisle in the row behind the pax having the issue with cream, but she was in the window, so I don't know if she heard. The female FA came back with new cream and passed that and a new cup of coffee to the male FA to give to the pax - the female FA was very nice about the whole thing, even making a comment such as, "I got these from the back and I hope the third time will be the charm."

I then asked for two cups of coffee from the male FA, and he looked at me as if I were asking him for the world (I asked for two, because I've learned that the FA's on this route don't come back for a second beverage round, even though it is a two and a half hour flight - Continental ALWAYS comes back for a second beverage round and then usually an FA will come through without the cart just asking if anyone wants anything else).

Finally, the male FA was coming through for trash and one of the people in the row in front of me (I don't know if it was the window seat, which had complained about the cream, or the middle seat), tried to toss an empty plastic orange juice bottle into the sack he was holding open. It hit the front side (behind the tossing person's field of vision) and then popped out into the aisle next to my row. The pax across from me was closer to it, so she picked it up and put it in the trash bag.

No harm, no foul, right? The guy didn't even have to bend down to pick it up. But he had to comment (paraphrasing again), "Guess you weren't good in basketball, huh?" The pax who tried to toss the bottle into the bag said, "Excuse me?" or "Pardon me?", obviously not knowing that she had committed any error. He responded with a sarcastic comment about her missing the bag. She was sincerely apologetic for the mistake, but he then brushed her off.

There is no excuse for that kind of treatment of passengers that are not trying to be difficult.

I know this is long, but I would appreciate any responses that confirm or refute anything that I have posted.

I will be travelling between Houston and Charlotte for many more months, and I had contemplated moving all of that to US Air just because they have bigger planes between the two cities, but this put me over the edge, so that I will fly the Continental Express "baby and toddler" jets rather than put up with US Air. BTW, everyone in Charlotte that I deal with calls them "Useless Air." Ok, you guys probably already know that. :)

:td: Sounds like you got up on the wrong side of the bed. To both of your issues, I say, BIG DEAL. Cut the FA's some slack. They're under extreme pressure with the potential disintegration of the airline they work for. Not to mention another US Airways hand in their pocket book.

We're lucky that they even smile at all anymore. :(

Go ahead and fly Continental. Bon Voyage! :mad:

But disregarding corporate propaganda (see below), I think that the OP has a valid point - the airlines are in the service industry, ergo they are expected to serve. Albeit, I do not expect every employee to prance around the cabin brandishing a smile that would swoon Grumpy the dwarf, but if a customer is making an effort to be polite he/she should not be harped on. On the same token I think HPTunco also has a valid point, USAir is under pressure - and to a greater extend all the FAs, pilots and 'little people' who lack severance packages should the airline fail. My heart truly goes out to them, I think they are getting the very short end of the stick, but it seems to me IMHO that one of the best ways to keep customers coming back, and paying for travel, is to make every effort to treat them as so they want to come back. If I were in your shoes, FemaleFlyer, I would post USAir about what happened - not so much in the from of a complaint, but as a little suggestion that will improve customer perception of the airline (e.g. bring the cart around a second time, make sure the mini-moos have not expired). Regardless, I certainly wish the best of luck to you, and USAir, on future flights.

J.Edward

:Go ahead and fly Continental. Bon Voyage! :mad:

Well... "Continental does offer more than 2,800 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. Continental serves 149 domestic and 117 international destinations -- more than any other airline in the world -- and nearly 200 additional points are served via codeshare partner airlines. With 41,000 mainline employees, the airline has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and carries approximately 51 million passengers per year. FORTUNE ranks Continental one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America, an honor it has earned for six consecutive years. FORTUNE also ranks Continental as the top airline in its Most Admired Global Companies in 2004.":D

Well... "Continental does offer more than 2,800 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. Continental serves 149 domestic and 117 international destinations -- more than any other airline in the world -- and nearly 200 additional points are served via codeshare partner airlines. With 41,000 mainline employees, the airline has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and carries approximately 51 million passengers per year. FORTUNE ranks Continental one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America, an honor it has earned for six consecutive years. FORTUNE also ranks Continental as the top airline in its Most Admired Global Companies in 2004.":D


But lets not forget that..."US Airways, a member of the Star Alliance, is the nation’s seventh-largest airline, serving nearly 200 communities in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. In Europe, US Airways offers service to Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London (Gatwick), Madrid, Manchester, Munich, Paris and Rome on a year-round basis, as well as seasonal service to Dublin, Glasgow and Shannon. US Airways, US Airways Shuttle and the US Airways Express partner carriers operate approximately 3,300 flights per day."

I remember my first flight back in the late '60's.

http://www.uniformfreak.com/index2a.html

Ok, it is a bit sexist but it does make the point. In Coach we had silver silverware and the like. The stewardess even gave us things--playing cards and the like. Just came back on US from LAS to PIT in FC and yes, they ran out of food in row 1 of 2 in FC. Yes they did have more food and better food in coach.

It is a service industry and I do have to mention that on our little leg from PIT to ERI on a BAD plane--Jetstream 41--we had a wonderful FA. A true superior human being.

But lets not forget that..."US Airways, a member of the Star Alliance, is the nation’s seventh-largest airline, serving nearly 200 communities in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. In Europe, US Airways offers service to Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London (Gatwick), Madrid, Manchester, Munich, Paris and Rome on a year-round basis, as well as seasonal service to Dublin, Glasgow and Shannon. US Airways, US Airways Shuttle and the US Airways Express partner carriers operate approximately 3,300 flights per day."


And soon service to BCN and VCE.

CO does not serve BCN. :D

US has a better livery than CO. Don't like US? Go back to your CO board and complain there.

With US Being part of *A. It make flying with them much, much better than that crappy Alliance that CO is with. Sorry but Star Alliance is way better than the Alliance that CO is with.(At least in my opinion.)

I have already posted my displeasure with learning of the change in the on-board Cafe program in which I was on two separate full flights (150+ pax) and US Air had 7 and 8 snack boxes, respectively, available.

My last flight on US Air sealed the deal, though - I will not fly them again. To set the scene, this is Monday morning, November 8th from IAH to CLT (BTW, I have to say that all of the TA's and GA's for US Air at IAH are wonderful).

We get to altitude and the FA's begin to serve beverages and BOB morning meals. I was in an aisle seat but didn't pay attention to the beverage service until the cart was rolled right next to me. Apparently, the pax in the row before me had gotten served by the female FA before the cart was rolled, and one of them asked for a new cup of coffee because the cream that was provided was sour (it was one of those "mini-moo's" type things). The female FA passed a new cup of coffee and new creams to the male FA that was now next to that row. The pax tried it again, and again complained that the cream was sour. The female FA heard that, said something like, "let me get cream from the back," and went to do so. In the meantime, I think the male FA was taking beverage orders from the other side of that same row. He then took the coffee and cream from the complaining pax and said, "WhatEVER! Those do not go sour!"

(I know for a fact that they DO go sour - had that experience at a client's once, but luckily they also had the powdered cream, letting me avoid the mini-moo's in the future).

He said it loud enough for me to hear, because I was in the aisle in the row behind the pax having the issue with cream, but she was in the window, so I don't know if she heard. The female FA came back with new cream and passed that and a new cup of coffee to the male FA to give to the pax - the female FA was very nice about the whole thing, even making a comment such as, "I got these from the back and I hope the third time will be the charm."

I then asked for two cups of coffee from the male FA, and he looked at me as if I were asking him for the world (I asked for two, because I've learned that the FA's on this route don't come back for a second beverage round, even though it is a two and a half hour flight - Continental ALWAYS comes back for a second beverage round and then usually an FA will come through without the cart just asking if anyone wants anything else).

Finally, the male FA was coming through for trash and one of the people in the row in front of me (I don't know if it was the window seat, which had complained about the cream, or the middle seat), tried to toss an empty plastic orange juice bottle into the sack he was holding open. It hit the front side (behind the tossing person's field of vision) and then popped out into the aisle next to my row. The pax across from me was closer to it, so she picked it up and put it in the trash bag.

No harm, no foul, right? The guy didn't even have to bend down to pick it up. But he had to comment (paraphrasing again), "Guess you weren't good in basketball, huh?" The pax who tried to toss the bottle into the bag said, "Excuse me?" or "Pardon me?", obviously not knowing that she had committed any error. He responded with a sarcastic comment about her missing the bag. She was sincerely apologetic for the mistake, but he then brushed her off.

There is no excuse for that kind of treatment of passengers that are not trying to be difficult.

I know this is long, but I would appreciate any responses that confirm or refute anything that I have posted.

I will be travelling between Houston and Charlotte for many more months, and I had contemplated moving all of that to US Air just because they have bigger planes between the two cities, but this put me over the edge, so that I will fly the Continental Express "baby and toddler" jets rather than put up with US Air. BTW, everyone in Charlotte that I deal with calls them "Useless Air." Ok, you guys probably already know that. :)

Yeah - the FA was a little rude and surly, but if this is enough to push you over the top and switch airlines, I think you are over-reacting.

And we all know the PA's* on CO are quite lovely and all have wonderful personalities. :p

I fly a lot in the course of a year and usually wind up on about 10 different carriers. As a result I get to see them all, old, fat, young, cute, pleasant, surly, lazy attentive, etc. If you fly enough you are going to see all kinds as well on all the different carriers. What separates US from the rest is that the vast majority are the best in the air and the reason that most of us here are fanatical about our support for US and the employees. I wished you had experienced the same, but as in all things, there are always a couple of FA's who will not meet our expectations. In the last 5 years of fairly heavy patronage to US I can only remember meeting two that I thought needed to be written up. Not bad since I meet and greet between 12 and 20 FA's a week, 48 weeks a year.




*Prison Matrons

There are a few bad apples, but 10 times as many pleasant faces that we dont want to see go away. Please give US another try, it'll be better than sitting in a jungle jet for almost 3 hours!

These are some very valid responses (even those which disagreed with me) to my distaste for the rude behavior to other passengers that I witnessed on US Air. To me, it was kind of a "last straw" thing after not being able to even purchase a meal on the last few flights.

One person mentioned that I was hasty in changing airlines because of this incident, but I want to remind that person that I have only flown US Air a few times. Since I will be flying between Charlotte and Houston for many months, I was thinking of changing from Continental (on which I have elite status) to US Air (on which I have no status).

This morning, I flew in on Continental and the flight attendant came through with a muffin (and had enough for everyone!), then came through with a beverage service, then came back to see if anyone wanted an additional muffin, then came through with an additional beverage service.

What I've seen on US Air is that they come through once for a beverage service, with a few BOB meals that are snapped up in the first rows, and then sit down. However, I take back my claim that I will not fly them again, as I have reserved a less than 7 day advance flight with them based on cost (wasn't sure of the dates until the last minute). I was able to reserve a round-trip flight for $500+ less than it would have cost me on Continental. My client would probably not have noticed the difference, but my conscience could not justify the higher fare (even though flying on Continental would have possibly put me over the edge to get to the next Elite level) . When I book in advance, the costs are the same on both airlines.

I guess the bottom line is, you get what you pay for.

BTW, did you guys see that American is apparently planning to remove pillows and blankets from their flights so that the cabin can be cleaned more quickly? It seems as if ALL of the major airlines are becoming Southwest without the benefits of Southwest (they still actually provide pillows and blankets)! I know - none of us want to be on a cattle car without seat assignments and with no FC, but Southwest actually pays their FA's the highest in the industry, which makes them much more motivated, provides free drinks when the plane is delayed, and even provides more food than some of the other airlines now (they have apparently diversified into other nonperishables than peanuts). And Southwest actually makes money!

The more I think about it, the more it bothers me that on almost all flights I've taken on US this year (most in F), the FAs do their minimum required service and retreat to the galley, never to be seen again. Boo! :td: :( :td:

And here I am, perfectly willing to hand out those Certificates of Excellence that came with the Preferred packs, but NOT ONE of the FAs deserved one so far.

The more I think about it, the more it bothers me that on almost all flights I've taken on US this year (most in F), the FAs do their minimum required service and retreat to the galley, never to be seen again. Boo! :td: :( :td:

And here I am, perfectly willing to hand out those Certificates of Excellence that came with the Preferred packs, but NOT ONE of the FAs deserved one so far.

Unfortunately for you, I fear we must never be on the same flights. I continue to find the US front line personnel the best in the industry. And what has struck me deeply is that since going back into bankruptcy, increasing FA duties while slashing their pay, I have never found them more hospitable or welcoming.

They're fighting hard and I've got their back. I've never been so proud to be a US elite traveller.

Unfortunately for you, I fear we must never be on the same flights. I continue to find the US front line personnel the best in the industry. And what has struck me deeply is that since going back into bankruptcy, increasing FA duties while slashing their pay, I have never found them more hospitable or welcoming.

They're fighting hard and I've got their back. I've never been so proud to be a US elite traveller.

I agree. It wouldn't surprise me if US personnel did "the minimum" required of their jobs due to what is happening to their jobs/salary/pensions. I have not witnessed anything less than adequate to superior service during my flights.

I can't say that I'd react this way.......but obviously these people have had superior training and continue to serve their customers even as their company sets back employee wages/benefits back 20 years.

.......................... I was thinking of changing from Continental (on which I have elite status) to US Air (on which I have no status). .........................

You must be the only person in America considering a switch from another major carrier to US Dividend Miles. We're all thinking of our contingency plan while you're ready to buy a ticket on the Titanic! Great Idea! :D

Although I am rooting for US, have made some friends with some of the employees and have been loyal over the years (well, its also more convenient on my usual route) AND I agree that most FAs on US are incredibly kind and helpful, I really think you can find good and bad on all airlines in general. I have had some amazing FAs on United and Jet Blue as well. On an International United flt from IAD to Sao Paulo, the captain came out and started down the aisle introducing himself to the pax before the flight. He also read the pre flt briefing :cool: The only airline where I thought the crew was a bit shaky was ATA, but they seemed more inexperienced than anything. BTW the service overall on JetBlue is phenomenal and the mainlines could learn a thing or two from them.

JetBlue is the airline that I hope takes over US routes if they go under.

Unfortunately for you, I fear we must never be on the same flights. I continue to find the US front line personnel the best in the industry. And what has struck me deeply is that since going back into bankruptcy, increasing FA duties while slashing their pay, I have never found them more hospitable or welcoming.

They're fighting hard and I've got their back. I've never been so proud to be a US elite traveller.

Well said, Envoy Boy. I am amazed at the treatment I receive from US FA's I encounter. I will also say that if I were under the type of daily stress they are under given the current situation, I would find it hard to show up for work, let alone smile. Addtionally, while I admit there can be a lack of planning for food-for-sale on some flights, I find it to be the exception rather than the rule.

Take some time and chat up a FA - ask them were they US Air, Piedmont, or PSA....and occasionally, one will have time to tell a story or two of "the good old days". I've had some wonderful and educational conversations.

I have encountered the surly FA's now and then; but I also encounter surly convenience store clerks, grocery checkers, contractors, doctors, clients, and friends. And they encounter me - not always a happy face. I look at US FA's as some of the best and most reliable out there. Sorry for your bad experience, but I think most people would tell you that you'll have many, many better experiences flying US.

Unfortunately for you, I fear we must never be on the same flights. I continue to find the US front line personnel the best in the industry. And what has struck me deeply is that since going back into bankruptcy, increasing FA duties while slashing their pay, I have never found them more hospitable or welcoming.

They're fighting hard and I've got their back. I've never been so proud to be a US elite traveller.


^ ^ ^ ^

JetBlue is the airline that I hope takes over US routes if they go under.

I sure don't hope they do unless they revamp their joke of a frequent flyer program into one more similar to Dividend Miles.

JetBlue is the airline that I hope takes over US routes if they go under.

Do they even have a FC cabin????

Do they even have a FC cabin????

Nope, though seat pitch is fairly generous for coach in the rear half of the cabin. There's also free live satellite TV on seatback screens and a nice variety of free snacks.

I wouldn't mind flying JetBlue if they had some sort of elite status (preboarding, middle seat blocking, bonus miles and the like) and a more meaningful FF program.

The more I think about it, the more it bothers me that on almost all flights I've taken on US this year (most in F), the FAs do their minimum required service and retreat to the galley, never to be seen again. Boo! :td: :( :td:

And here I am, perfectly willing to hand out those Certificates of Excellence that came with the Preferred packs, but NOT ONE of the FAs deserved one so far.

Although I'm only at 43k or so BIS miles this year, I've noticed that it's feast or famine: either you get the same excellent service that we've all known and loved for years, or it's "toss the food and into the galley." Even in F.

I've noticed very little middle ground, but my flying this year has been almost exclusively transatlantic Envoy or transcons up front.

JetBlue is the airline that I hope takes over US routes if they go under.


I wonder how jetBlue will fare when they have to start making payments on their airplanes...all their loan payments were deferred for 4 or 5 years.

Also, jetBlue is no longer the darling of Wall Street...their stock has tumbled almost 50% this year....

The more I think about it, the more it bothers me that on almost all flights I've taken on US this year (most in F), the FAs do their minimum required service and retreat to the galley, never to be seen again. Boo! :td: :( :td:

And here I am, perfectly willing to hand out those Certificates of Excellence that came with the Preferred packs, but NOT ONE of the FAs deserved one so far.


There are lazy employees and there are tired and hungry ones. On many trips, in between flights, FA's have to clean the airplane and fold blankets. Picking up the newspapers that "First Class" pax deposited on the floor cheers me up though. Cleaners just stack paper towels and toilet paper on the counter, so we have to take care of that too. Then catering shows up and we have to make sure we get everything we need since catering people have been short staffed and might short us on catering supplies. By then it is ready to board and we didn't even get to eat. If we are lucky to have had a nice pilot, he may have offered to go inside and pick us up something to eat. After serving passengers, I'm sure your FA is scarfing down their semi-hot/semi-cold food in the galley.