CAVU

It seems to me recently that the snack basket coming through first has been very inconsistent as to timing and or not at all. Is this just me? The BA Visa card announcement seems to not be a problem however.

olouie

Its very hit or miss. Most recent flight the FA said she didn't even know about it since she was basically brand new. Was wondering what the basket for was. Seems to more of an issue on short flights or morning flights.

Seattle123

i thought that the newbie FA’s had to put their time in coach before stepping foot in FC. On my trans con flight yesterday, the FC attendant was awesome! Even put a few coats in the closet. Yes to snack basket and about 5 or 6 inquires for more drinks! Love the ice cream for dessert. Less messy than the chocolate chip cookie.

olouie

No idea about how much tenure FAs should have for first, but this year I've had more and more flights where the FAs just seem to kind of float about the aircraft, some disappear from long periods of time which I thought wasn't good given the proximity to cockpit but no idea about what the actual rules are for them.

scklumb

I just had a friend "Graduate" to become an AS flight attendant. I believe he went through a 6 week course. I know they learn safety, but I assumed, they also learned the protocols on service. He said no, they don't learn anything on service in the 6 week course. The first time they get to learn about what to do on the plane, is when they are trainees on the plane. Which they are only a trainee for a few flights. I think this is why when we have a senior crew they have learned from each other over the years and seem the most consistent with service. And the senior routes are the max distance out and back utilizing the same crew. I think the cut off is about 2000 miles. That way they get maximum pay (by flying the most hours) and are home each night. So the SEA-MKE,ORD,IND,MCI type of routes have flight attendants with 20 plus years of service. That all being said, the snack basket comes out on flights over 1100 miles and under 600 miles. So flights without food, and flights with roll/salad with their dinner. I guess there thinking is those intermediate flights have nuts, light food, and a cookie and not enough time for the snack basket. BUT the snack basket is loaded on these routes (for the sole purpose if someone doesn't like the meals or doesn't want the meal they still can be offered something to snack on). Their tablets do tell them what to do for service. If they are supposed to give out the snack basket after dinner, the tablet states that.

Xrayman

When it comes out I like the popcorn and the beef jerky stick.

beckoa

Umm I think the stick is turkey

Xrayman

correct. I miss the beef jerky package but the stick will have to suffice.

beckoa

Agree with both points.

ShutUpDonnie

Any port in a storm!

ijkh

We were just on a flight to Hawaii where the total combined years of service for the FA crew was 140 years. Everyone one of them were seasoned at the top 10 of the seniority. Why? A nice flight to Hawaii with a 48 hour layover. These were seasoned to a turn. What great service and style. These senior FAs were an absolute pleasure. I noticed they FA was older than I. (I'm Social Security eligible now) I asked the nice woman if this was a second career for her. She laughed and said she had been flying all her working life. I have forgotten now how many years it was but it was over 25 maybe over 30 years? Yes the snack basket was passed at least once and maybe twice.

AS Flyer

Alaska's most senior FA celebrated 55 years of seniority this year. The top 10 seniority all have 50+ years seniority. They all work hard and are wonderful FA's. The top 900 or so FA's all have 25+ years of seniority. Alaska has just about 6700 FA's.

skunker

The popcorn is so addictive. I know it's coconut oil and "butter flavor", but it's so good. Had 3 bags on LIH-SAN last month.

seaanc

Monday, ANC to FAI, no snack basket, but were offered PDB, orange juice or champagne(not Emirates, but a start!). No snacks on the return to ANC in first.

rt23456p

Haven't flown American carriers for ages, but base on my knowledge on Asian Carriers, aren't premium cabins always been served by crew with some degree of seniority and additional training?