I have never seen this before, when we boarded our PVG to Detroit flight 9/25there was a pilot, in uniform and part of the crew, hanging out with us in coach. He was joking, answering questions, helping people and just being a friendly guy. When the doors closed and it was pretty settled he gave a welcoming speech in each cabin and everyone clapped in each cabin. Is this new?

Then the Captain came on the PA complimenting us on a quick and orderly boarding and how that made it possible for us to be number 7 on the list, even though ATC was holding the planes. I have never had this amount of information and personal interaction with the pilots before.

It was a nice gesture on the pilot doing the "customer attention" and everyone seemed impressed with him, but it just seemed to make the flight attendants even grumpier than usual.

To be fair, there was a FA that was stellar and I forgot to get his name, stomach went south at the end of the trip. I will write Delta anyway describing him and hopefully he will get a pat on the back. He was really great; friendly, personable, and smiling the entire trip.