Turndown service & Pyjamas / Pajamas in F/J began 1 Sep and 1 Oct 2011
Aug 5, 2011, 8:32 am
#76
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA EXP & AAirpass, Hyatt Courtesy Card, SPG Platinum
Posts: 991
On my many long haul first class flights to Europe, Asia, and South America on AA I have rarely encountered frowning, gossiping, or hiding senior FAs. IMHO that behavior is not the norm from the AA FAs. Quite the opposite.
Have I encountered odd ball AA FAs, yes. I have also encountered them on CX First, and BA, First and Business.
Have I encountered odd ball AA FAs, yes. I have also encountered them on CX First, and BA, First and Business.
Aug 5, 2011, 9:02 am
#77
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
^ Exactly! And it's more of an expectation in some countries FAs will be FAs for a shorter period of time - until they marry or perhaps promote to a more responsible position that might lead to a career. (Some Asian countries, at least, still have age limits and all those accouterments of various "-isms" that have at least de jure been eliminated or cut back in the US, Australia, et al.)
IMO, AA and QF are similar in that aspect - the Australian "tall poppies are meant to be cut down" way of looking at things means some service can be quite variable (though the specially selected and trained cabin staff on the A380s seem to have it just right).
Though I read many posts here about AA's surly FAs, they do not gibe with my experiences - I have been flying AA since the mid-1940s, in all classes, and in most instances, particularly in F, the FAs are pretty good at their job. Most are less formal than, say, a UK-based FA, and some do not like the informalities and what they would consider undue intimacy (address in a F pax one does not know by their first name, as an example), but I prefer the spontaneity and genuiness to what feels to me sometimes obsequious kowtowing I may get on some Asian carriers.
3 of 4 my last flights in AA international long-haul J or F flights, I have sent e-mails with kudos to AA C/S, as the attentiveness and service were A+. The remaining flight was merely OK, merely ordinary with somewhat lackadaisical service.
Will pyjamas in F change any of that? IMO, a resounding "No!" as AA has limited influence on their FAs, and seemingly does not believe in providing leadership, training and continuous improvement initiatives. KAAizen does not exist as a word or concept.
IMO, AA and QF are similar in that aspect - the Australian "tall poppies are meant to be cut down" way of looking at things means some service can be quite variable (though the specially selected and trained cabin staff on the A380s seem to have it just right).
Though I read many posts here about AA's surly FAs, they do not gibe with my experiences - I have been flying AA since the mid-1940s, in all classes, and in most instances, particularly in F, the FAs are pretty good at their job. Most are less formal than, say, a UK-based FA, and some do not like the informalities and what they would consider undue intimacy (address in a F pax one does not know by their first name, as an example), but I prefer the spontaneity and genuiness to what feels to me sometimes obsequious kowtowing I may get on some Asian carriers.
3 of 4 my last flights in AA international long-haul J or F flights, I have sent e-mails with kudos to AA C/S, as the attentiveness and service were A+. The remaining flight was merely OK, merely ordinary with somewhat lackadaisical service.
Will pyjamas in F change any of that? IMO, a resounding "No!" as AA has limited influence on their FAs, and seemingly does not believe in providing leadership, training and continuous improvement initiatives. KAAizen does not exist as a word or concept.
I, too, have thought about this issue. Much of it, I believe, is cultural. America isn't really a service culture in the same way that exists in much of Europe and Asia. Part of that no doubt comes from the U.S. being, at least aspirationally, a classless society. I find that many people in traditional service positions (e.g., wait staff in restaurants) view their jobs as mere stepping stones to something better. In Europe and Asia, it's much more common to find, using the same example, professional, career wait staff who not only take pride in their work but also who build reputations in their industry and are sought after by restaurants.
Aug 5, 2011, 10:34 am
#78
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: LOS ANGELES
Programs: AA EXP 3MM; UA GOLD 1MM; HILTON DIAMOND; HYATT EXPLORIST; MARRIOTT/IHGGOLD
Posts: 258
No PJS on ORD-DEL today. Purser sad she had heard rumors, but nothing more about a roll out systemwide. My Cathya ones worked fine though!
FWIW excellent crew an really delicious Indian food in F.
FWIW excellent crew an really delicious Indian food in F.
Aug 5, 2011, 12:07 pm
#79
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Aug 6, 2011, 11:32 am
#80
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 122
This is really good news with the pyjamas. I really hope this will become systemwide
Aug 6, 2011, 2:02 pm
#81
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Racine, WI/VCE
Programs: AA EXP, MR LT PPE, Arise Mucci des Hommes de Fer
Posts: 1,047
While this might be a nice gesture from AA, it doesn't correct the fundamental problem with the overall culture of service by the AA flight attendants in the premium cabins on Int'l flights. AA is not competitive in large part due to the ingrained attitude of many of the senior flight attendants staffing these flights that feel that by doing the bare minimum required of them this is a sufficient level of service. I don't care how you dress it up by adding pajamas, improving amenity kits or better food. If the people serving you don't greet you, don't smile, make it look like they don't enjoy what they are doing and hide to gossip with their colleagues for the balance of the flight, this is not going to make AA any more competitive or attractive to premium flyers.
Aug 6, 2011, 3:19 pm
#82
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: BA silver, Hyatt PLT, AA EXP, US silver, ICH RA, CO PLT
Posts: 957
I, too, have thought about this issue. Much of it, I believe, is cultural. America isn't really a service culture in the same way that exists in much of Europe and Asia. Part of that no doubt comes from the U.S. being, at least aspirationally, a classless society. I find that many people in traditional service positions (e.g., wait staff in restaurants) view their jobs as mere stepping stones to something better. In Europe and Asia, it's much more common to find, using the same example, professional, career wait staff who not only take pride in their work but also who build reputations in their industry and are sought after by restaurants.
Aug 6, 2011, 9:35 pm
#83
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP & 1MM (Lifetime Gold); Marriott Gold; National Exec Emerald's
Posts: 337
No jammies on NRT flight
Aug 5th DFW - NRT:
Slippers - yes
Jammies - no
"Matress" and turndown service - no
Off topic - F was less than half full - I have rarely seen that before.
Slippers - yes
Jammies - no
"Matress" and turndown service - no
Off topic - F was less than half full - I have rarely seen that before.
Aug 6, 2011, 9:51 pm
#84
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NYC/PSP
Programs: AA EXP, A3 Gold
Posts: 4,106
so, there have been no PJs on any other flight, and no one can corroborate their appearance? I think the OP was flying BA and is just a little confused.
Aug 7, 2011, 6:45 am
#85
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: midway between EDI and DND
Programs: BA Gold, AA Plat for Life, ex BD Gld (RIP)
Posts: 623
Aug 7, 2011, 7:30 am
#86
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Aug 7, 2011, 8:57 am
#87
Join Date: May 1998
Location: australia
Posts: 5,762
Come on you guys - be patient. It will take a couple of days to dryclean superscot's PJs. We will see them again on a flight soon. Superscot omitted to inform you that like the Bose headsets the flight attendant takes an inventory of who got PJs and collects them at the end of the flight for re-use.
Aug 7, 2011, 9:54 am
#88
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: AUS
Programs: AA EXP/OW Emerald
Posts: 352
Come on you guys - be patient. It will take a couple of days to dryclean superscot's PJs. We will see them again on a flight soon. Superscot omitted to inform you that like the Bose headsets the flight attendant takes an inventory of who got PJs and collects them at the end of the flight for re-use.
I'll be hitting DFW-LHR in F in a couple days, will report what happens.
Aug 7, 2011, 11:12 am
#89
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: AUS / DXB
Programs: BA Silver | AA LT Gold | EY Silver | Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,838
Aug 7, 2011, 12:47 pm
#90
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: midway between EDI and DND
Programs: BA Gold, AA Plat for Life, ex BD Gld (RIP)
Posts: 623
Come on you guys - be patient. It will take a couple of days to dryclean superscot's PJs. We will see them again on a flight soon. Superscot omitted to inform you that like the Bose headsets the flight attendant takes an inventory of who got PJs and collects them at the end of the flight for re-use.