Originally Posted by observer
I think it is inevitable that there will be inconsistency with pre flight drinks. The catering may be last-minute. The flight may be running late. It may be nearly impossible for the FA to serve drinks in F in a MD80 or 737 as a long parade of passengers is marching through (with everything but the kitchen sink).
I have to disagree and call it brAAinwashing. Delta Air Lines, in the more than 15 years I have flown them, rarely misses a pre-flight drink. I actually can't remember the last time they missed one. It's been years. To be fair, I am sure that there are extenuating circumstances that may prevent pre-flight service from happening, but the cases you mention above do not prevent the competition from delivering a consistent experience. And this is any type of drink you wanted vs. just bringing a tray out and barking "orange juice or water". The fact is most of the AA flight attendants stand around and talk and look at people (or hide from them). I can tell you Delta offers a vastly different experience.
Disclaimer: My experience is based on 300 AA segments over the last 3 years, vs. about 1400 on DL in last 15 years.