cooleddie

I just flew on a United First (domestic) and United Business (transborder) and they served full items from the bar for pre take off beverage... Water, coke zero, vodka soda, with lime, etc, in a plastic cup. I thought it was a very nice touch. Air Canada should adopt this and improve their pre take off beverages. It really adds to the quality of the experience.

canadiancow

United has never served alcoholic PDBs out of YYZ for me. They said it was a tax or duty issue or something.

So there could be issues out of certain provinces.

However, I'll take a Coke Zero.

Thanks.

longtimeflyin

Unless?

gcashin

I regularly get alcoholic PDBs at YYC on UA mainline flights. UA Express is a bit more mixed, so not sure if the UA Express carriers have different rules.

I definitely appreciate UA for being able to get a choice of PDB, whether it's an alcoholic drink or even a Diet Coke.

canadiancow

United. Sorry. Auto-erect and all.

Every excuse I've ever heard for lack of real PDBs is alcohol taxes.

Give me a Coke Zero.

That is all.

DrunkCargo

Auto Correct?

And yes, alcoholic Pre-departure beverages (PDBs) are served in J/F on legacy US airlines. Ex-Canada is spotty because some regionals do claim some tax reason for not opening booze. CP (yes, "CP" Compass airlines) regularly uses this excuse operating for DL.

I wouldn't want to see Air Canada try to juggle PDB and OTP.

yyzgigi

Don't think it has a big impact on UA OTP. Although it does sometimes require that FAs aggressively swim upstream in the flow of passengers. Is also hit and miss on UA for consistency even within the US. Is worse on United Express, but I've had a number of UA flights in the last few months with no PDB for no obvious reason. Having said all that, although it is a nice touch overall I still prefer the total AC offering to UA's "first"; a 3 hour flight with a basket of cheap snacks isn't offset by a PDB.

adambrau

In my experience domestic USA UA offers choice of pre-departure beverages in First or Business Class is ingrained.

It's also offered on Int'l flights but very occasionally flight attendants will only attempt to offer OJ/water/Sparkling Wine. I have heard that line about unable to open the liquor cart until in the air but in general ( I fly out of FRA/LHR-EWR mainly) there are no restrictions on PDB (except real champagne because that is the best/most expensive alcoholic offering) until airborn. YMMV. But I agree, it's a great United feature when it's on offer!

global happy traveller

i get sparkling wine on my international flights out of YYZ....
guess for domestic/transborder there is still some 'prohibition' legacy Lol

Absolute

No issues with YOW, so perhaps a local issue

canadiancow

It's not like it's illegal.

I suspect it's just that Ontario charges some amount of money that airlines are more willing to pay for international J than for transborder J.

Either way, I think there are two issues:
1. Alcohol & taxes/duties - This has definitely affected me flying UA out of YYZ. I don't do that often, but I've done it multiple times, and I've never been allowed alcohol until airborne.
2. Non-alcoholic.

The second issue is more interesting to me, as they don't have the same tax/duty issue as alcohol, so it should be financially feasible to give me a Coke Zero.

However, AC has gone from water or OJ in cups (work for FAs) to water bottles (minimal work for FAs). I suspect this is more the reason. Having to take orders, open multiple cans/containers of beverages, pour them all, and serve them all, would be way more work than the OJ/water option that used to exist.

pmaclell

[

However, AC has gone from water or OJ in cups (work for FAs) to water bottles (minimal work for FAs). I suspect this is more the reason. Having to take orders, open multiple cans/containers of beverages, pour them all, and serve them all, would be way more work than the OJ/water option that used to exist.[/QUOTE]

Yeah....can't expect the FA's to work!! Shovel food at you and then hide for the rest of the flight has been my experience on most (not all) AC flights in business lately.

DrunkCargo

Signature service, not just business.. while they eat the meals they ran out of during order taking...

To be fair I seem to always get my first pick, so doesn't affect me.

As for OTP and PDB not affecting UA OTP, I think I said I'd hate to see "AC" juggle it. UA and DL ex-Yxx have always had good OTP for me, and when PDB is missed and pushback is early it usually earns me compensation... I find those routes don't miss PDB now... Funny how feedback works for some airlines.

As for AC doing PDB... Even when it was OJ or water, they poured from resealable containers so the remainder didn't get tossed. OAL if someone orders a mixer, the remainder of the can is dumped prior to pushback unless someone else orders. I find, since I sit either row 1 or rear of F depending on order of PDB service, when I order a Woodford or buffalo trace, the rest of F seems to go alcohol as well. It's like the first to break the ice helps the rest relax. It also reduces the wastage of half finished cans. Gotta help the environment somehow..

Also helping to evaporate some weight earlier as well!