Originally Posted by
AADFW
Interested to learn the FA perspective on this subject. Clearly PDBs are very highly valued by premium passengers, as evidenced by this thread alone. They were a routine staple pre-Covid and are now far more elusive. When there is ample time to serve them and it doesn’t happen, is it mostly a result of laziness or some actual principle? And is there ever an actual consequence for not providing this part of the service?
In the 80s and 90s it didn’t matter how little time there was — it got done (almost) no matter what in domestic first. Quite often in such situations I remember being served a Coke or Sprite during taxi. It was very much an expected standard back then, as it really should still be today for the substantially higher prices being paid.
We had FAA regulations then, and now, so not sure why they are cracking down recently. The PDB must be picked up prior to door closure, unless there is a trash can with a flap. We are not to open any carts after door closing.
Edited to add, boarding times are now contractual, and the FAs cannot board the aircraft until an agent shows up to scan us in. I'm sure they also have show times for each flight. We no longer have the luxury of extra time. Not an excuse, because I try to make it happen, just giving another perspective