bkojote

The other day I was on a transcon Alaska flight in "premium" and went to the galley between drink services to ask for a coffee and was told "just wait, we'll do another drink service later." (Which they did.... an hour later.)

I've never thought of this limited to 'services' but is that really a thing?

be_rettSEA

Have definitely done this before in premium and standard main cabin seating and have always been served. I find being apologetic in terms of interrupting and gracious for serving outside of the standard cart service with big smiles to be effective in getting the refill. If they're busy working on something else, they can/may say no, though.

sltlyamusd

Intl359Widget

I would write in your concerns to Alaska Listens to see if this is truly a thing or a "bare minimum only" crew that can't be bothered to provide customer service. :-:

JacksonFlyer

I have had varied experiences with this in Premium. There has been a couple of times on a trancons or even flights near 3 hours in duration where the FA came by to check on drinks specifically in premium prior to the second service. Other times I have gone to the back between services and have asked (politely) for a drink and was happily served. Sounds like the OP had a FA on a bad day. What bothers me (a little, as these are first world problems) is in First where a passenger will engage a FA to the point where I have to wave to get their attention. Now, this is a FA as well as a passenger issue and luckily, for me, it has not happened often.

VegasGambler

I just push the button. That's what it's there for.

Going up to the galley has always seemed strange to me (I've never done it) but I guess a lot of people do it. At least when you push the button you know that when they come to your seat they are ready to handle your request (if you interrupt them in the galley they may be in the middle of something else)

notquiteaff

arles

I wonder if this is specific to requesting coffee between service. I am guessing that a request for something readily available (soda, water, juice) would have been given. Not being a coffee drinker, so I don't know the process. Maybe there was no coffee available and they didn't want to make a pot for a single cup and then need to throw it out to make a new pot for the following service.

Often1

I would definitely send a note to AS. Even if they have to make a pot for one person, that is not unreasonable.

I know that some crews will ask you to return to your seat in the case of a hot drink and that is entirely reasonable, but that is not what happened to you.

pdxtraveller

I was on a mid-con flight in PC yesterday where a guy went to the back three times in between regular services and got alcoholic drinks for himself and 2 companions also in PC.

AS Flyer

A) Send a note to Alaska - it shouldn't be a problem to just hand over a cup of coffee
B) going to the galley to get a drink in between carts is perfectly normal and acceptable. You can also ring your call button if you'd rather. FA's ARE there for safety primarily, but service is a HUGE function of the job. Safety first always, but service is a close second.

bkojote

There were 2 services and an additional water service.

This was about an hour after the first service and an hour before the second. I was back in the galley having used the lav, so figured I'd ask before my way back while I was already back there. This particular FA was on her phone, though the rest seemed pretty on point throughout the flight.

PaperGlider

It has been my infrequent experience that providing service in the galley area is routine and a common expectation. That is across the non-discount airlines when the flight attendants aren't too busy doing something else. So, I would like to presume this was just one of those moments that didn't work out. I hope it is not a shift in standard practices.

Although, the reductions in flight services including the promptness and frequency of beverage and snack service has me a bit skeptical.

I'll wait to see what the airline's reply is about this one. To find out is this a simple anomaly in service or is this someone's new discovery that reduces work for flight attendants AND saves money on food costs? (Hey boss, I have an idea...)

Often1

Even though FA's have downtime during TCON's, there is always one on duty. Presuming that they aren't tending to someone having a heart attack or something like that, this is a standard service request. If a lot of people are wandering the aisles looking to hydrate, that is a sign that it is time to make pass through the aisle.

dhuey