On asking, we were told they didn't load them in SFO.
Admittedly this might be a first world problem ... but I've come to rely on them to brush my teeth (after a 10 hour flight) and also use the socks. I have no problem with bringing my own paste/brush, but didn't have a plan b handy.
In-flight service was the usual surly special (in the UD). A request for additional serving of nuts was brusquely turned down ("you only get one serving") and she just kept walking. Very Dickensian You would think being 1K would at least give you an extra serving of nuts.
Might I also add that there were lots of debris (cookies/nuts/paper towels) in the side storage and on the seat. My seatmate had the joy of discovering a long strand of hair (not hers!) firmly affixed to the pillow.
We pointed these out to the purser and she was most apologetic and suggested we call to complain. Clearly, she was dealing with a very bad hand.
In-flight entertainment was interrupted every few minutes with a "Programming Paused" message and an annoying chirp, but would resume after a few seconds.
No customs forms were given out as well. Not a biggie for me as I have Global Entry, but can't be fun to have an entire plane load fill out the forms at the arrivals desk.
I had just connected from LH (on the 747-800, also in the UD) and the difference in service couldn't have been more different. LH has done a great job with the cabin and it is light years ahead of what UA has to offer. I was even thanked by the purser for my business and for being a *G. Take that, UA.
Smisek can talk all he wants in those asinine welcome videos, but the reality is often very different.
Yes, they are crap ... but I'm not collecting them. Just need the toothbrush/paste and socks. Lesson learnt, will bring my own (either this, or not fly UA).
Quote:
Originally Posted by izzik
Don't worry - biz amenity kits on UA are crap anyway.
On asking, we were told they didn't load them in SFO.
Smisek can talk all he wants in those asinine welcome videos, but the reality is often very different.
Very sorry for your experience. Were you in F or C?
I hear that FA are supposed to be going in for training (reprogramming) this year. It's supposed to be system-wide I think.
Speaking personally, now that I've started to pay for my biz tickets (rather than use GPUs) I'm outraged when I get bad service or the FA looks at me oddly when I want another scotch in business class on an 18 hour flight to Asia.
It's really too bad the service is so irregular. My *BEST* UA experience was back and forth the Dubai. The crew just rocked my whirl. I have never seen a better team on the planet. It's clear they had worked together before and just clicked. They even recognized me on the return flight.
I'll probably hit my 1k number in q2 ...maybe q3... I'm going to take the opportunity to fly a couple Asian carriers and see what my hard earned money gets me elsewhere. Suggest others do the same and make their own decisions.
Probably just a mess up in supplying the flight. But I will say that the UA900/901 flights are notorious for having the most senior (aka the most rude, arrogant, least helpful, meanest) flight attendants in all of UA. I fly this route very regularly and find them the worst flight attendants in the system. Mostly SFO based.
Lesson learnt ... will stick with LH (couldn't get on LH this time due to travel schedules)
Quote:
Originally Posted by blueman2
Probably just a mess up in supplying the flight. But I will say that the UA900/901 flights are notorious for having the most senior (aka the most rude, arrogant, least helpful, meanest) flight attendants in all of UA. I fly this route very regularly and find them the worst flight attendants in the system. Mostly SFO based.
Programs: UA 1K, HH gold, SPG gold, MR gold, Accor plat (though almost worthless)
Posts: 270
Quote:
Originally Posted by DCEsquire
I'll probably hit my 1k number in q2 ...maybe q3... I'm going to take the opportunity to fly a couple Asian carriers and see what my hard earned money gets me elsewhere. Suggest others do the same and make their own decisions.
Can't believe you haven't done this already, to be honest, particularly if you're actually paying for the tix. This is very definitely a case where the grass truly is greener.
Can't believe you haven't done this already, to be honest, particularly if you're actually paying for the tix. This is very definitely a case where the grass truly is greener.
Yeah, I know. Usually I hit 1k in December so it just hasn't been possible. This year I will hit it very early. Question is...will I want to come back to UA once I've taken the "red pill" and flown foreign luxury carrier....
Programs: UA 1K, HH gold, SPG gold, MR gold, Accor plat (though almost worthless)
Posts: 270
Quote:
Originally Posted by DCEsquire
Yeah, I know. Usually I hit 1k in December so it just hasn't been possible. This year I will hit it very early. Question is...will I want to come back to UA once I've taken the "red pill" and flown foreign luxury carrier....
I'm sure you already know the answer to that one, somewhere deep down in your heart!!
It almost seems to me the cabin crew did not do their job prior to departure. Most of the flights I have been on have the kits distributed already before I board the flight. If the cabin crew at least did their checking before departure, they could have realized it and asked to have them brought onboard when you were still at SFO.
A few years ago, I was on a SFO-NRT flight. There were no slippers. The 744 UD FAs basically threw their hands even with multiple passengers asked for them. Some people on FT thought we were just being picky business travellers. People who understand the Japanese culture know that serving up the slippers is part of the hospitality and it was pretty bad to not have them at the gate and doing nothing about it. Anyway, it all ended up well as the LD FAs actually requested them from Ground Services.
It is similar here. Not having it not only brings inconvenience but also shows the attitude and preparedness of the cabin crew.
It is similar here. Not having it not only brings inconvenience but also shows the attitude and preparedness of the cabin crew.
On my many flights to BKK over the years I have gotten to know and converse with many F/A's. They have told me, on more than one occasion, that preparing their flight usually entails fighting over who gets which break and often it nearly breaks out in fisticuffs (something about 51 years seniority trumping 50 1/2 years). The last thing on their mind is, a tooth brush, tooth paste, & slippers carefully and lovingly waiting for you when you arrive at your assigned seat.
Programs: UA1K/3MM, AA & DL 1MM, *wood Plat, Hertz Pres.
Posts: 574
I only fly UA domestically now and use european and asia carriers when I fly overseas. the UA International FA service is so bad. They don't care and it shows. My clients pay good money for the Biz class tickets and that includes good service.
I only fly UA domestically now and use european and asia carriers when I fly overseas. the UA International FA service is so bad. They don't care and it shows. My clients pay good money for the Biz class tickets and that includes good service.
They don't care & it shows because they are, for all practical purposes, unsupervised and have a case of "The Poor Me's"! "PM's" are NOT taught in flight school but are rather learned later on during on the job training and lessons are given in briefing rooms, break rooms, and particularly in galleys during flights, primarily in jump seats.
You would think being 1K would at least give you an extra serving of nuts.
