We travelled in F between LHR and a US city, and had our first experience of Mixed Fleet, which was - for the most part - extremely positive. The crew were highly enthusiastic and focused on offering great service. When a couple of things did go wrong, they were extremely apologetic and genuinely cared. The service was a little slower, but not excessively so.
There was however one classic moment:
Seat belt light goes on and announcement made to return to seats
Inexperienced crew member: "Sir, can I make up your bed for you?"
Me: "Thanks, I'd love you to, but not sure you can really do that, with the seat belt light on?"
Puzzled pause
Inexperienced crew member: "Mmmm. Ok, I'd better go and check..."
Inexperienced crew member disappears into galley for about 45 seconds, then returns
Inexperienced crew member: "I've asked someone, and I'm sorry, I need to wait until the seat belt light is switched off."
Me: "No worries, thanks"
Absolutely, no big deal at all, but just a very amusing exchange.
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Interesting question though. I don't believe there's any restriction on cabin crew moving around when the seat belt sign is on (they have their own set of seat belt signs in effect). They could have made up the bed had you been able to buckle in to an empty seat and then you could move across when the seatbelt sign went off.
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Aw... they're learning!
I have always appreciated their enthusiasm, hard work, and keenness to please - though only on short haul so far. Will have a long haul MF experience in F next year.
Interesting question though. I don't believe there's any restriction on cabin crew moving around when the seat belt sign is on (they have their own set of seat belt signs in effect). They could have made up the bed had you been able to buckle in to an empty seat and then you could move across when the seatbelt sign went off.
Agreed. In this instance, though, the nearest free seat was on the other side of the cabin (777), it would have required me walking through the galley to get there.
I do feel sorry for MF crew especially when a FT'er is keeping a beady eye on their every move only to report back here should they make the slightest mistake.
I suspect most of their passengers haven't got a clue what MF is all about.
I suspect most of their passengers haven't got a clue what MF is all about.
Exactly, they disembark the flight never knowing why that meal service took three hours from start to finish, or why that young pretty crew member was wearing a hat...
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2013: Not flown anywhere. And work too crazy to spend much time on FT. Am a rare visitor here these days...
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I could be wrong but think we had MF from GIG yesterday.
Either way I have to say it was one of the friendliest crews we have have in CW and really helpful, champagne before takeoff served and topped up no issue. I am a Emerald through CX and before we took of the purser came over and said hello and had a little chat along with saying if there was anything we needed just to say.
Meal service was as quick as I have ever had in CW, not quite upto First stadards speed wise but it was a 22:50 takeoff and asleep by midnight! I slept in and missed the morning service but once I woke they came over and served me full breakfast at about 50 mins to landing!
All in all I would say best BA CW crew I have ever had and actually better than many of the recent First crews! I fully intend to email BA saying this as I complain when its not good so only seems fair to praise when it is!
Oh and if its not MF in GIG, ooops but the crew were still great!
All in all I would say best BA CW crew I have ever had and actually better than many of the recent First crews!
GIG is a MF route, and I'm pleased you enjoyed it. I've done several trips with MF recently and many of the initial issues appear to have been rectified.
Indeed I've be approached at the baggage claim several times by customers who wished to pass on their praise for the MF crew.
Keep up the good work
__________________
All views and thoughts expressed are mine, and not those of my employer.
Many of the MF crew do know all about these little discussions on FT and at the same time are aware of the inital 'faults' or 'issues' we had early on in the fleet, however as operating SCCM we have now seen the gradual increase in standards, efficiency and product/brand knowledge. Therefore it is good to see that our customers can also see this. Friendliness, approachability and a genuine sense of wanting to offer the best is more often than not, what our crew's want to offer and often this does happen, as evident from the OP. It is not always possible, and at times service may take a little lnger than normal or the SCCM may not get to say hello to all our Executive Club members, but on the whole part we do seem to be settling in.
D1L
The views expressed are my own and do not reflect those of my employer.
Many of the MF crew do know all about these little discussions on FT and at the same time are aware of the inital 'faults' or 'issues' we had early on in the fleet, however as operating SCCM we have now seen the gradual increase in standards, efficiency and product/brand knowledge. Therefore it is good to see that our customers can also see this. Friendliness, approachability and a genuine sense of wanting to offer the best is more often than not, what our crew's want to offer and often this does happen, as evident from the OP. It is not always possible, and at times service may take a little lnger than normal or the SCCM may not get to say hello to all our Executive Club members, but on the whole part we do seem to be settling in.
D1L
The views expressed are my own and do not reflect those of my employer.
I would praise the SCCM on my flight, because he properly greeted each passenger in F, including all the children (5 including our own!), then was clearly greeting all the status passengers in J. Couldn't see further back. This is now pretty infrequent on WW fleet, even as a Gold travelling in F.
I could be wrong but think we had MF from GIG yesterday.
Either way I have to say it was one of the friendliest crews we have have in CW and really helpful, champagne before takeoff served and topped up no issue. I am a Emerald through CX and before we took of the purser came over and said hello and had a little chat along with saying if there was anything we needed just to say.
Meal service was as quick as I have ever had in CW, not quite upto First stadards speed wise but it was a 22:50 takeoff and asleep by midnight! I slept in and missed the morning service but once I woke they came over and served me full breakfast at about 50 mins to landing!
All in all I would say best BA CW crew I have ever had and actually better than many of the recent First crews! I fully intend to email BA saying this as I complain when its not good so only seems fair to praise when it is!
Oh and if its not MF in GIG, ooops but the crew were still great!
I will be writing to praise MF too, as well as the crew on BA Cityflyer operating out of LCY who I travel with regularly and are excellent. Notice a pattern here!?
