Best Way to Register Formal Complaint re Call Button Non-Response?
Jan 18, 2010, 9:14 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
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Best Way to Register Formal Complaint re Call Button Non-Response?
I know some will think this is par for the course in terms of United service standards, but I'm highly irritated that I had to wait 30 minutes for a response to the call button I pressed today in C class on a LAX-IAD flight. During that half hour, the light above my head, alerting the cabin staff to my request, mysteriously went off after a few minutes - was it remotely disconnected? But I pressed the button again and the light remained on for at least 20 minutes while many FAs passed enroute to FC. After half an hour, "my" FA showed up to ask both my seatmate and I whether we needed anything else before landing, as if nothing was out of the ordinary.
I had originally pressed the button because I was dehydrated and needed water after sleeping, and was in the window seat. I hadn't had any previous unusual interactions with the cabin staff.
I find this completely unacceptable, so is 1K Voice the best way of registering a complaint that gets noticed? Frankly, Skykits should address such issues but I seriously doubt they do! In any case, I wasn't about to ask the washed-out FAs for one.
I had originally pressed the button because I was dehydrated and needed water after sleeping, and was in the window seat. I hadn't had any previous unusual interactions with the cabin staff.
I find this completely unacceptable, so is 1K Voice the best way of registering a complaint that gets noticed? Frankly, Skykits should address such issues but I seriously doubt they do! In any case, I wasn't about to ask the washed-out FAs for one.
Jan 18, 2010, 9:19 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 2,438
Get over it, if they were walking up and down flag one of them and ask for what you want.
Jan 18, 2010, 9:23 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,914
why not just press it on/off a couple of times...ding, ding, ding, ding, ding...
(although the FA might come over to ask you to stop playing with it
, but at least you will get service 
...)
(although the FA might come over to ask you to stop playing with it
, but at least you will get service ...)
Jan 18, 2010, 9:25 pm
#4
In memoriam
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I know some will think this is par for the course in terms of United service standards, but I'm highly irritated that I had to wait 30 minutes for a response to the call button I pressed today in C class on a LAX-IAD flight. During that half hour, the light above my head, alerting the cabin staff to my request, mysteriously went off after a few minutes - was it remotely disconnected? But I pressed the button again and the light remained on for at least 20 minutes while many FAs passed enroute to FC. After half an hour, "my" FA showed up to ask both my seatmate and I whether we needed anything else before landing, as if nothing was out of the ordinary.
I find this completely unacceptable, so is 1K Voice the best way of registering a complaint that gets noticed? Frankly, Skykits should address such issues but I seriously doubt they do! In any case, I wasn't about to ask the washed-out FAs for one.
I find this completely unacceptable, so is 1K Voice the best way of registering a complaint that gets noticed? Frankly, Skykits should address such issues but I seriously doubt they do! In any case, I wasn't about to ask the washed-out FAs for one.
<even getting out of the window seat> Also, calling FAs names e.g., washed-out. . .really doesn't seem very respectful imo.
Last edited by ldsant; Jan 18, 2010 at 9:26 pm Reason: Was writing at the same time as other posters. . mike said the same thing
Jan 18, 2010, 9:28 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,691
Really? I sit in the window all the time. I ring the button and if that does not work, all I have to do is lean forward a little and give the flight attendant a smile while cracking my mouth like I am about to talk. Works every time.
Are we becoming completely incapable as a society to 'think outside the box' to solve our problems?
Are we becoming completely incapable as a society to 'think outside the box' to solve our problems?
Jan 18, 2010, 9:35 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2009
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If FAs were passing you by and you didn't somehow flag them down, you have to accept your part of the responsibility here.
But this is one area that UA needs to work on. Why isn't there a checklist that requires that they offer water every 30 minutes of flight? I don't want to start some "Airline vs. Airline" argument/debate, but I understand that among FAs it's widely known that UA is among the most lax on this sort of thing in their premium cabins. Certainly that's been my experience over the years. If I have a seat in F or C should I really feel compelled to try to remember to find a $5 bottle of water somewhere airside prior to boarding? No, but I do. And it sucks.
But this is one area that UA needs to work on. Why isn't there a checklist that requires that they offer water every 30 minutes of flight? I don't want to start some "Airline vs. Airline" argument/debate, but I understand that among FAs it's widely known that UA is among the most lax on this sort of thing in their premium cabins. Certainly that's been my experience over the years. If I have a seat in F or C should I really feel compelled to try to remember to find a $5 bottle of water somewhere airside prior to boarding? No, but I do. And it sucks.
Jan 18, 2010, 9:35 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2007
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I've mashed the button a couple of times. but c'mon, if you are that thirsty, why are you waiting 30 min.? either hit the button again or go up and get a drink. IIRC, the 777's call buttons do not illuminate as brightly as the 752 (which I frequent most). it could be they overlooked your call and reset.
Jan 18, 2010, 9:40 pm
#8
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Amazing that few seem to think call button non-response is an issue. Why do they even have call buttons then?
Certainly if I could have attracted the attention of a passing FA, I would have done so. But since I was in front of the bulkhead, and wasn't about to face backward, not possible.
No, I shouldn't have to get out of a window seat and visit the galley to satisfy my needs, IMHO. What if I was infirm, or the seat belt light was on? Plus you'd think C class would count for something, although I'd be aggrieved if I was in Y.
I think I should cross-post this on the Virgin America forum to see what they say.
The only point of note for me is that the light might have been hard to see with the 777 design.
Certainly if I could have attracted the attention of a passing FA, I would have done so. But since I was in front of the bulkhead, and wasn't about to face backward, not possible.
No, I shouldn't have to get out of a window seat and visit the galley to satisfy my needs, IMHO. What if I was infirm, or the seat belt light was on? Plus you'd think C class would count for something, although I'd be aggrieved if I was in Y.
I think I should cross-post this on the Virgin America forum to see what they say.
The only point of note for me is that the light might have been hard to see with the 777 design.
Jan 18, 2010, 9:50 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2007
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I agree that this is a problem. Happened to me several times on TATL flights in C (old), ended up getting up to get a drink. Had window seat so had to wake up my neighbor to get out. Unfortunately par for the course as you say. Complain to 1KVoice, maybe eventually UA will get the message. But do not expect much of a response.
Last edited by FreFly; Jan 18, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Jan 18, 2010, 9:55 pm
#10
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Jan 18, 2010, 9:57 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,914
Amazing that few seem to think call button non-response is an issue. Why do they even have call buttons then?
Certainly if I could have attracted the attention of a passing FA, I would have done so. But since I was in front of the bulkhead, and wasn't about to face backward, not possible.
No, I shouldn't have to get out of a window seat and visit the galley to satisfy my needs, IMHO. What if I was infirm, or the seat belt light was on? Plus you'd think C class would count for something, although I'd be aggrieved if I was in Y.
I think I should cross-post this on the Virgin America forum to see what they say.
The only point of note for me is that the light might have been hard to see with the 777 design.
Certainly if I could have attracted the attention of a passing FA, I would have done so. But since I was in front of the bulkhead, and wasn't about to face backward, not possible.
No, I shouldn't have to get out of a window seat and visit the galley to satisfy my needs, IMHO. What if I was infirm, or the seat belt light was on? Plus you'd think C class would count for something, although I'd be aggrieved if I was in Y.
I think I should cross-post this on the Virgin America forum to see what they say.
The only point of note for me is that the light might have been hard to see with the 777 design.
Jan 18, 2010, 10:01 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2009
Location: LON
Programs: UA 1K; BA Gold
Posts: 155
Quite true, though I have to say with regards to the call button thing, you should maybe just get out of your seat if you are thirsty.. though if UA FA's were actually caring and considerate you wouldn't have to cause they would have been coming through the cabin periodically offering water rather than .....ing about their pax in the galley and reading People... if I could afford full C fares I'd stick to airlines like SQ, LH, or SK rather than throwing money down the drain in exchange for crappy service
Jan 18, 2010, 10:12 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2002
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oh PLEASE!!!
I know some will think this is par for the course in terms of United service standards, but I'm highly irritated that I had to wait 30 minutes for a response to the call button I pressed today in C class on a LAX-IAD flight. During that half hour, the light above my head, alerting the cabin staff to my request, mysteriously went off after a few minutes - was it remotely disconnected? But I pressed the button again and the light remained on for at least 20 minutes while many FAs passed enroute to FC. After half an hour, "my" FA showed up to ask both my seatmate and I whether we needed anything else before landing, as if nothing was out of the ordinary.
I had originally pressed the button because I was dehydrated and needed water after sleeping, and was in the window seat. I hadn't had any previous unusual interactions with the cabin staff.
I find this completely unacceptable, so is 1K Voice the best way of registering a complaint that gets noticed? Frankly, Skykits should address such issues but I seriously doubt they do! In any case, I wasn't about to ask the washed-out FAs for one.
I had originally pressed the button because I was dehydrated and needed water after sleeping, and was in the window seat. I hadn't had any previous unusual interactions with the cabin staff.
I find this completely unacceptable, so is 1K Voice the best way of registering a complaint that gets noticed? Frankly, Skykits should address such issues but I seriously doubt they do! In any case, I wasn't about to ask the washed-out FAs for one.
I mean heaven forbid you take the time to speak to the lowly servants... you rang your service bell!
Last edited by iluv2fly; Jan 19, 2010 at 2:06 pm Reason: off-topic
Jan 18, 2010, 10:23 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,123
If you want to complain, complain. You don't need to ask for permission from FTer's. It seems it was a big deal for you based on your post and replies, so I'd go ahead and write a letter or call if it helps. Good luck.
AD
AD
Last edited by aluminumdriver; Jan 18, 2010 at 10:47 pm
Jan 18, 2010, 10:24 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2001
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Remember the flight attendants are here primarily for your safety.
Seriously though, I've had this happen in C before transcontinental - and I just ding it a few more times til I see them visibly huff to get up out of their jumpseat and put down their magazine/newspaper/whatever and bring me my free booze. ^
Seriously though, I've had this happen in C before transcontinental - and I just ding it a few more times til I see them visibly huff to get up out of their jumpseat and put down their magazine/newspaper/whatever and bring me my free booze. ^