Originally Posted by
gemac
You are missing something. Here is one of the FAs you are citing (and he is correct):
It is AA policy that you have to pay for drinks in coach. The pilot is in command, and what he says goes, but if he said all drinks in coach are free, I suspect that AA would have a discussion about violating company policy with him. I don't understand why pilots are allowed to routinely violate company policy with impunity. If it happened rarely, I would think that there were circumstances that justified it on that particular flight, but it happens constantly.
If and when a pilot does say drinks in coach are free (which has happened many times) then there is no question from the company on why the pilot allowed it. So yes, the Pilot is ultimately in charge of that aircraft, and can change the rules onboard his/her plane.
It's company policy to get you from A to B, but if they have to land at C for emergencies or refuel, they can make the rule change because it is needed...ever hear the term...Pilot In Command?
Besides, the lav policy is stated in the back of the American Way magazine.