Originally Posted by
MatthewLAX
I can understand that they close the bar 18 minutes before landing, but it sounds as if the FA did not address you properly.
Personally, I think beverages--all beverages--should be available until the "FA's prepare cabin for landing" announcement is made (which I concede comes early sometimes when you have a lazy crew).
The FAs have to have some time to inventory the remaining liquor and reconcile their cash deposits...that has to be done before decent and landing (the agent takes the cash when s/he opens the door). On a widebody, especially one coming from the islands, it's not unusual to have to count $600 or $700 mostly in $1s and $5s, which can take 30 to 40 minutes.
Having said that, it does seem weird that someone would do that in FC where accounting for all of the liquor isn't quite as critical since it's all free. It still needs to be closed off earlier than the pilot's announcement to prepare the cabin for landing, again, this is especially the case on a widebody where there are multiple carts to close, etc.
On another note, I can pretty much assure you the pilots aren't doing the FAs any favors in trying to help them "be lazy" by asking them to prepare the cabin early...I'm sure they could care less whether about the workload of the FAs.
Originally Posted by
dsquared37
Wow, I had almost the exact same discourse yesterday on 803 NRT-SIN. We were on the descent but the seat belt sign was not on. I got up and asked for vodka/orange (never sure who understands 'screwdriver') and her response was almost verbatim to yours: 'We close the galley 30 minutes prior to arrival. You can have orange juice.'
I've been served as the seatbelt light was coming on at times and this was such an odd response. The funny thing is, getting a bottle of vodka out is about the easiest thing to do. And I had the glass in hand from my previous drink. Suffice to say it wouldn't have inconvenienced her at all.
Reconciling liquor for customs clearance is even more critical than accounting for money. In C where there can be up to 3 carts of liquor to closeout that, again, has to be done prior to landing. Something like wine, which is usually dumped at the end of the flight, is usually available until the last minute since that's just tossed in the trash.