AS F service dropping to new lows
#16
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Does it really matter whether one is offered a drink or one hits the call button or walks up to the galley?
If a FA refused service when asked (absent safety reasons) that would be terrible. But, the fact that one has to reach up and push or pull a button is not that much to ask. Even in F.
That said, it was lousy service and deserves a short and to the point complaint identifying the route, date, and flight number.
If a FA refused service when asked (absent safety reasons) that would be terrible. But, the fact that one has to reach up and push or pull a button is not that much to ask. Even in F.
That said, it was lousy service and deserves a short and to the point complaint identifying the route, date, and flight number.
#18
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 200
This is definitely not the norm. While I have had a few bad F experiences (mostly indifferent FA's) the number of times I have had excellent service far, far outweigh the bad. I would also be inclined to cut the staff a break if they were turning right around after a long redeye flight. Doesn't make you wrong to want the service you paid for though.
#19
Moderator, Delta Skymiles and Mileage Run
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Seat 2A
Programs: DL Diamond/MM, Hyatt Diamond, former AS MVPG 75K, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
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and everyone who has responded clearly explained his experience is absolutely the exception, not the norm at all. so yes this was a bad F experience.
But my point is, their F in general is not exactly competitive to begin with, so just how high of a bar are people setting for AS’s first class? Because believe me, they’ve never been known for their 180 degree sleeper suites in first class or their Flagship first/Polaris lounges.
#20
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: BLI
Programs: Alaska MVPG
Posts: 206
Normally when I'm paying for F, its for personal space, drinks and food are just an afterthought, but each of us value things differently.
#21
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
I measured that against two flights in AS coach that were great. Their F cabin just doesn't cut it service wise. But fair point, I have a few more AS F flights coming up soon, so it will be interesting to see how it goes.
I guess I also judge it versus my previous experience flying AS weekly. Now a days, I'm on Delta weekly.
I guess I also judge it versus my previous experience flying AS weekly. Now a days, I'm on Delta weekly.
James
#22
Moderator, Delta Skymiles and Mileage Run
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Seat 2A
Programs: DL Diamond/MM, Hyatt Diamond, former AS MVPG 75K, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,940
Please be sure to let us know what your upcoming AS F flights are like. Did you make contact with Alaska about your concerns? If not, why? If so, was there a resolution? You used to fly AS weekly but changed to Delta. Was your prior weekly AS flights in F too for comparative accuracy?
James
James
I will be happy to report back about future AS ATL-SEA if I chose to not fly Delta. I will also report back if I hear anything from Alaska Listens on this.
My return trip SEA-ATL in F was actually a bit better, but still not something I would consider paying for. So perhaps you could break my issue out in to two parts:
1. A clear service failure on ATL-SEA in F, which I took as an indication of their declining services.
2. A non competitive F product as compared to Delta.
#24
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SEA
Programs: DL Plat, AS MVPG, Bonvoy Plat/LT Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,266
I will be happy to report back about future AS ATL-SEA if I chose to not fly Delta. I will also report back if I hear anything from Alaska Listens on this.
My return trip SEA-ATL in F was actually a bit better, but still not something I would consider paying for. So perhaps you could break my issue out in to two parts:
1. A clear service failure on ATL-SEA in F, which I took as an indication of their declining services.
2. A non competitive F product as compared to Delta.
My return trip SEA-ATL in F was actually a bit better, but still not something I would consider paying for. So perhaps you could break my issue out in to two parts:
1. A clear service failure on ATL-SEA in F, which I took as an indication of their declining services.
2. A non competitive F product as compared to Delta.
Do write in or rate the inflight service one star - that rating is apparently what triggers Alaska to actually Listen to the written feedback.
#25
Moderator, Delta Skymiles and Mileage Run
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Join Date: Dec 2009
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Based on my experience in AS F, I’d be more inclined to think this a one-off service failure, possibly compounded by incomplete catering (the plastic cups). Was the breakfast catered correctly? Totally agree with item 2.
Do write in or rate the inflight service one star - that rating is apparently what triggers Alaska to actually Listen to the written feedback.
What was odd was that we had the glassware for the first drink service, but we did not for the refill. It seemed like the F flight attendants wanted noting to do with service that day. When the cart/plastic cups came into F, it was the Y flight attendants serving us (maybe because the F folks wanted nothing to do with us?)
#26
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 5,957
Meals were catered properly. I pre ordered the cheese plate. The FA's clearly don't understand how this worked, they told me they thought that catering had mis catered a cheese plate into F. I had to tell them no, it was my pre order.
What was odd was that we had the glassware for the first drink service, but we did not for the refill. It seemed like the F flight attendants wanted noting to do with service that day. When the cart/plastic cups came into F, it was the Y flight attendants serving us (maybe because the F folks wanted nothing to do with us?)
What was odd was that we had the glassware for the first drink service, but we did not for the refill. It seemed like the F flight attendants wanted noting to do with service that day. When the cart/plastic cups came into F, it was the Y flight attendants serving us (maybe because the F folks wanted nothing to do with us?)
#27
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Seattle, Wa
Programs: AS 75K & BR Member- HHonors Diamond - Hertz PC - Marriott Titanium - IHG Ambassador
Posts: 2,379
ATL-SEA, departure at 6:35 am. The crew was the same crew that came off the inbound red eye I think they said there was also a medical emergency on the inbound, so I understand the crew was tired and stressed, but that is not an excuse for poor service in the forward cabin.
Last edited by dayone; Jun 4, 2018 at 9:03 am Reason: Remove reference to moderator.
#28
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
Does it really matter whether one is offered a drink or one hits the call button or walks up to the galley?
If a FA refused service when asked (absent safety reasons) that would be terrible. But, the fact that one has to reach up and push or pull a button is not that much to ask. Even in F.
That said, it was lousy service and deserves a short and to the point complaint identifying the route, date, and flight number.
If a FA refused service when asked (absent safety reasons) that would be terrible. But, the fact that one has to reach up and push or pull a button is not that much to ask. Even in F.
That said, it was lousy service and deserves a short and to the point complaint identifying the route, date, and flight number.
It is too much to ask to push the call button, because this is the US and some overbearing flight attendants feel it is to be used for emergencies only.
#29
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 5,957
This isn't true. There are no such work rules for FA's. Absent contractual work rules, the FAA guidelines only stipulate that an airline can't schedule one for more than a 14 hour duty day unless they augment the crew by adding additional FA's. Irregular ops don't count and, if the airline originally scheduled a trip with 14 hours or less total duty time, you can be required to stay on duty indefinitely if weather or mechanical (or any other) situation requires. Alaska does schedule midcon, red eye turns - though none as far as SEA-ATL, because that exceeds the contractual maximum allowable hours in one shift. SEA-IAH, SEA-DFW, SEA-AUS - even SEA-DTW have been a thing in the past and sometimes make their way back around as a red eye turn. It's not unusual.
#30
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Seattle, Wa
Programs: AS 75K & BR Member- HHonors Diamond - Hertz PC - Marriott Titanium - IHG Ambassador
Posts: 2,379
This isn't true. There are no such work rules for FA's. Absent contractual work rules, the FAA guidelines only stipulate that an airline can't schedule one for more than a 14 hour duty day unless they augment the crew by adding additional FA's. Irregular ops don't count and, if the airline originally scheduled a trip with 14 hours or less total duty time, you can be required to stay on duty indefinitely if weather or mechanical (or any other) situation requires. Alaska does schedule midcon, red eye turns - though none as far as SEA-ATL, because that exceeds the contractual maximum allowable hours in one shift. SEA-IAH, SEA-DFW, SEA-AUS - even SEA-DTW have been a thing in the past and sometimes make their way back around as a red eye turn. It's not unusual.