Originally Posted by 32LatT10

The phenomenon I've noticed more recently with consistency is "The captain has asked the flight attendants to remain seated" on the PA at 10,000' (regardless of what the cockpit said or didn't say prior to departure) and a tendency to delay starting service as long as possible (sometimes in all cabins, sometimes just in coach). When the cockpit comes on the PA upon reaching initial cruise altitude, it goes one of two ways: if the seat belt sign is released, "service" begrudgingly begins. If the seat belt sign remains on, little to no service...with anything from apathy at people getting up to use the lav to threatening PAs reminiscent of misbehavior in a middle school cafeteria. Regardless, the strategy is to run out the clock, which is "Flight attendants please prepare the cabin for arrival" from up front. I'll also note that this seems to be much more common with flight attendants that appear to have been hired in the last 5 or so years.

Really trying not to stir the pot here (or be too cynical), and there are still plenty of very good crews out there, but there is decidedly a palpable difference in "typical" service now vs. how things used to be.