Is the FC Pre-Flight service dead?
Jun 30, 2015, 10:16 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Programs: Delta Skymiles (SM, 1MM) Marriott Rewards (Lifetime Gold), HHonors (Lifetime Diamond)
Posts: 160
Is the FC Pre-Flight service dead?
So sitting on DL2399 in F right now.
No one in F has been offered any beverage. Nothing. The stewardesses are chatting with each other about other flights, boyfriends, a broken car, etc. Only greeted every 10th passenger or so because they were so busy with personal chit-chat.
The plane was not late arriving, the flight crew was not late getting on the plane. In fact boarding commenced exactly on time.
Do I assume:
1. Delta is killing off the pre-flight service?
2. Stewardesses are ex-NWA and still pretending they're unionized and don't feel they HAVE to serve FC pax?
3. Maybe I'm missing they have a super top secret weather report that we will be insanely buffeted by wind on our taxi and they just want to make sure nobody spills anything
4. They only care about serving pax going to "important" cities
5. They are just lazy and using anything as an excuse to not have to serve.
As I write this... They finally stopped talking amongst themselves, but still haven't offered anyone in FC anything.
I'm afraid to ask since one of them might go to the captain, call me disruptive (to their social cackling) and have me removed from the flight--for having dare questioned their actions. You can't say ANYTHING to a FA anymore without them diverting the plane and calling in the Gestapo to take you away in handcuffs (out of an "abundance of caution" of course---GAG!!!)
No one in F has been offered any beverage. Nothing. The stewardesses are chatting with each other about other flights, boyfriends, a broken car, etc. Only greeted every 10th passenger or so because they were so busy with personal chit-chat.
The plane was not late arriving, the flight crew was not late getting on the plane. In fact boarding commenced exactly on time.
Do I assume:
1. Delta is killing off the pre-flight service?
2. Stewardesses are ex-NWA and still pretending they're unionized and don't feel they HAVE to serve FC pax?
3. Maybe I'm missing they have a super top secret weather report that we will be insanely buffeted by wind on our taxi and they just want to make sure nobody spills anything
4. They only care about serving pax going to "important" cities
5. They are just lazy and using anything as an excuse to not have to serve.
As I write this... They finally stopped talking amongst themselves, but still haven't offered anyone in FC anything.
I'm afraid to ask since one of them might go to the captain, call me disruptive (to their social cackling) and have me removed from the flight--for having dare questioned their actions. You can't say ANYTHING to a FA anymore without them diverting the plane and calling in the Gestapo to take you away in handcuffs (out of an "abundance of caution" of course---GAG!!!)
Last edited by stewie7669; Jun 30, 2015 at 10:39 am
Jun 30, 2015, 10:20 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAX/BOS/HKG/AMS/SFO...hmm, I need a life.
Programs: United1K, AA ExPlAAt, DL MM/Gold, Hilton Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 13,316
So sitting on DL2399 in F right now.
No one in F has been offered any beverage. Nothing. The stewardesses are chatting with each other about other flights, boyfriends, a broken car, etc. Only greeted every 10th passenger or so because they were so busy with personal chit-chat.
The plane was not late arriving, the flight crew was not late getting on the plane. In fact boarding commenced exactly on time.
Do I assume:
1. Delta is killing off the pre-flight service?
2. Stewardesses are ex-NWA and still pretending they're unionized and don't feel they HAVE to serve FC pax?
3. Maybe I'm missing they have a super top secret weather report that we will be insanely buffeted by wind on our taxi and they just want to make sure nobody spills anything
4. They only care about serving pax going to "important" cities
5. They are just lazy and using anything as an excuse to not have to serve.
As I write this... They finally stopped talking amongst themselves, but still haven't offered anyone in FC anything.
I'm afraid to ask since one of them might go to the captain, call me descriptive (to their social cackling) and have me removed from the flight--for having dare questioned their actions
No one in F has been offered any beverage. Nothing. The stewardesses are chatting with each other about other flights, boyfriends, a broken car, etc. Only greeted every 10th passenger or so because they were so busy with personal chit-chat.
The plane was not late arriving, the flight crew was not late getting on the plane. In fact boarding commenced exactly on time.
Do I assume:
1. Delta is killing off the pre-flight service?
2. Stewardesses are ex-NWA and still pretending they're unionized and don't feel they HAVE to serve FC pax?
3. Maybe I'm missing they have a super top secret weather report that we will be insanely buffeted by wind on our taxi and they just want to make sure nobody spills anything
4. They only care about serving pax going to "important" cities
5. They are just lazy and using anything as an excuse to not have to serve.
As I write this... They finally stopped talking amongst themselves, but still haven't offered anyone in FC anything.
I'm afraid to ask since one of them might go to the captain, call me descriptive (to their social cackling) and have me removed from the flight--for having dare questioned their actions
"Stewardesses"
Pre departure beverage service has been a bit hit or miss lately. I was 50% on 6 paid F flights last month and those flights were all from/to LAX...that said you can always ask.
Jun 30, 2015, 10:41 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Programs: Delta Skymiles (SM, 1MM) Marriott Rewards (Lifetime Gold), HHonors (Lifetime Diamond)
Posts: 160
Jun 30, 2015, 10:50 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: SEA
Programs: DL DM, DL SkyClub, DL AmEx Plat, SPG +, Hilton Silver, Hertz, Thrifty BlueChip, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 586
I seem to have had a moderate number of misses lately. Can't explain it - on my normal routes/schedules and was at 100%. Now I'm at probably 60-70%? No reason that I can find...
Jun 30, 2015, 11:05 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: BOS/MHT (Lakes Region)
Programs: DL PM(sigh)/2.3MM & a bunch of other programs...
Posts: 692
My experience has been generally positive this year. Only when a quick turnaround was needed has PDB been missed. Even then I've seen it done.
That being said, IMHO the proper course of action to a situation where normal service is not being provided is a polite inquiry. You come off as non-disruptive while reminding them of their duties.
One of my biggest life lessons has been: It never hurts to ask, all someone can say is no.
That being said, IMHO the proper course of action to a situation where normal service is not being provided is a polite inquiry. You come off as non-disruptive while reminding them of their duties.
One of my biggest life lessons has been: It never hurts to ask, all someone can say is no.
Jun 30, 2015, 11:08 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: MSP
Programs: None that I am proud of anymore
Posts: 571
So what's a guy supposed to do to get a PDB drink ?
Did they even have out those little 3oz bottles of H2O ?
Ask for one of those and a chaser !
All this to cover up that they are out of 'Woodford' !
Hope that they are not so conservative InFlight !
Hey we are not flying over Kansas so there are no restrictions !
Did they even have out those little 3oz bottles of H2O ?
Ask for one of those and a chaser !
All this to cover up that they are out of 'Woodford' !
Hope that they are not so conservative InFlight !
Hey we are not flying over Kansas so there are no restrictions !
Jun 30, 2015, 12:39 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,026
Is this one of those Delta Grey things? PBD's are still policy I believe however I am more misses than hits. I'm lucky to get my jacket taken these days.
Having said that, I did have a great NY based crew JFK-SFO last Friday. Drinks were served, almond packets handed out and jackets hung.
Having said that, I did have a great NY based crew JFK-SFO last Friday. Drinks were served, almond packets handed out and jackets hung.