Decrease in catering or were we all too thirsty?
 

I know that there have been several threads about the low supply of Glenlivet on AA flights (which seems to be in more than adequate quantities on US flights) but last night I hit a first:


I was on AA 1976 DFW-IND, pre-departure drinks were served, then once in flight, the FA started pouring doubles; F was full; half way through the flight the FA goes to coach to raid the drink cart of scotch, Jack Daniels and Jim Bean, and half way through the flight the only the only thing left on the plane that qualifies as such is Canadian Club.

So my question is: did AA cut back on catering or I was part of a group of candidates for the next Alcoholic Anonymus?

That's probably more drinking than average, and I'll bet the doubles may have been involved.

If I were flying DFW-IND, I'd be drinking heavily, too.

Considering the presentday AA mentality is to cut things left and right, (also known as an "enhancement" in AA language)....I wouldn't be shocked if they have cut back on catering.

I have noticed less attentive service from the FAs, less refill offerings in the last year especially.

Lately I've noticed FA's sitting down or chatting in the galley longer than they did in the past. Sometimes atleast 20-25 minutes before beverage service is offered.

After the service is over, maybe one round of refills and then they are confined to the galley almost for the rest of the flight.

Maybe it's time for you to change your carrier.

I see your point based on my issues as of late, however, it's not going to be feasible this year because most of my travel is booked months in advance for 2011.

I can gripe to the end on these things but they aren't too major of a frustration. Because they give you so many employee recognition certificates as an EXP, I almost always hand one to an FA when they actually greet pax as they come on the plane, as opposed to hemming and hawwing because they weren't ready for boarding!

The drink refills is honestly something that I've *just* noticed in the past few months ... so I'm not sure if its a cost cutting issue or just additional poor service. I will keep my options in mind for the future, but for 2011, I'm choiceless. :o

So, how many doubles did you have?

Sounds like the time that a large group of us were on a flight to an award meeting.... a senior executive of the company handed out $100 bills to the FAs and said "keep pouring till you run out of booze....":p

After three singles of JD on a PHX-ORD flight yesterday, and about to order a fourth, the plane was dry of drinkable bourbon. Only Mr Beam's turpentine remained :(

Strictly speaking, JD is not bourbon.

2 JDs and 1 CC.

I do it about 20 times a year.

Drink heavily or fly DFW-IND twenty times a year?


:D

On my last ORD-LAX, asked for a healthy bit of scotch, and after checking, she told me they had Chivas and Glenlivet left.( Chivas is NOT scotch) " Glenlivet thank you !"....no brainer.( Thought it was only offered on internationals??).

When they FA returned, my glass was nearly filled to the TOP of my glass.
I honestly don't think the FA knew what she was pouring....

Needless to say, there is a small place in hell, for those that waste good scotch.
;)

HP

Chivas most definitely is Scotch Whisky. It's not single malt. And, if you're ever in Scotland, don't ask for Scotch unless you want to insult them.

Given that Glenlivet 12 is at the bottom of the barrel for actual single malt, it's not really that much of a no-brainer.

Let's see- Johnny Blue or Glenlivet 12...

Cheers.

Just so you know, Glenlivet is on every AA mainline domestic flight.

So if I understand you correctly, you would have chosen the Chivas instead?

And my comment on Chivas NOT being Scotch was tongue in cheek....my opinion only.

And since I haven't been to Scotland., I will continue to order "Scotch". Yes I do know the difference between Single Malt and the rest.

Sorry I touched a nerve.

HP

No nerves. With the levels of inaccuracy here on FT, I figured that this was another one. Since I know something about this (and did get a very stern and correction for ordering "Scotch" in Scotland :D) I figured I'd correct this as well.

Cheers.

Touché. Sour mash whiskey then.

Although, I have just checked wikipedia and can't see which of the legal requirements for the appellation "bourbon " aren't met. Apparently being produced in Kentucky is no longer one...

Not a problem.
To be honest, I was just shocked that the FA poured a quadruple+(sp)?.....Did she see something in my eyes? lol ;)

HP

Too much corn. And filtered. W L Weller is better anyway. But everyone seems to expect JD.

....and trusting that you finished the glass, you avoided hell for both of you correct?

I think spiff must have been on the OPs flight.

I've been to Scotland and didn't notice this. Granted, I would order by brand/year. What should one order instead of "scotch"?

I was in a B&B in Aberdeen, and asked what kind of Scotch they had. The waitress fixed me with a steely gaze and, in an almost dangerous tone, asked "You mean whisky don't 'cha, laddie?"

Apparently, there, there is no other kind :)

Cheers.

Good to know. Its high on my list of places to return to :)

I'm obviously on the wrong AA flights.

Which routes exactly are now serving Johnny Blue?
I'll change my business plans.

No AA flights. But the Galleries F lounge at LHR in T5 was serving it last month.

Finally a reason to get excited when I visit our Slough office! :p

Flew DFW-LAX on a 757...we ran out of JD after one round. Raided the back and we were able to have a second round. So maybe they have cut back on the number of minis.

Yup, a whole two bottles for a total of 100ml.

But what about the Diet Coke? Seems every time I fly LHR-DFW or LHR-ORD, all of the Diet Coke is gone before the pre-landing snack is served. Always plenty of Diet Pepsi, though. You'd think they would notice this trend....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bourbon...l_requirements

Nope - there is a minimum corn content, but no max. JD claims it's the charcoal filtering that nixes JD - I'm not sure where that violates the definition of Bourbon, unless it's somehow construed as a 'flavoring'.

My husband drinks Scotch and Coke. Surely he belongs in the 9th circle of hell. :eek:

Jane...we all have our little places of hell....:p

HP

Your opinion is not endorsed here.

Jack Daniels is not Bourbon because it is filtered though granules of carbon before barreling. Some Bourbons are filtered, after aging and before bottling. The effect of adding flavour through the filtration is apparently what makes it not Bourbon which disallows any flavour or colouring added or imparted.

Many Bourbons are in fact sour mash, all which that means the mash from a last batch is added to the new batch. Akin to starter for sourdough always being used in the next batch for generations. It doesn't really matter as it is not really very good and there are better real Bourbons available in the same price range.

Notwithstanding its averageness, if you are near Nashville (used to be a great AA hub ex-YYZ) a side trip to Lynchburg for the tour is worth it. No samples. It's a dry county but they don't give samples to to other regulations and hassle. Apparently they could give samples under county law if they wanted to. They give you very nice lemonade.

Good for you guys, I normally roll with just a club soda ;)

I've often seen 4. Anyway, as long as I get them.

Two in F and two in Y. You just have to ask nicely!

Wow - I didn't know a direct statement of the law qualified as an opinion. :rolleyes:

If you read through the entire text of the link you posted, you will also see this:
So I guess your opinion is not supported by your link, either. Hmm...