Another disappointing AA F experience... [international 777]
Jun 9, 2012, 11:11 am
#32
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Most people give a crap.
Either you are having a lot of electrical and/or plumbing work done, or you never buy F or J tickets. BTW, my contractor to whom I recently paid an amount that was about the cost of a few RTW F tickets does address me by name. So do the carpet and window treatment contractors whose compensation is must smaller. You need to find new contractors if you are paying them tens of thousands of dollars and they don't even address you by your name. I always refer to my customers by name, why should any other good business person, contractor, FA or otherwise be any different? Failing to do so is just bad business, IMO.
Also FAs in First on CX, QF and BA always address me by my name, so why can't the airlines from 3rd world America do them same? Those airlines have edible food, too. The meals I had 2 weeks ago in AA F to LHR and back were inedible and an embarrassment.
Either you are having a lot of electrical and/or plumbing work done, or you never buy F or J tickets. BTW, my contractor to whom I recently paid an amount that was about the cost of a few RTW F tickets does address me by name. So do the carpet and window treatment contractors whose compensation is must smaller. You need to find new contractors if you are paying them tens of thousands of dollars and they don't even address you by your name. I always refer to my customers by name, why should any other good business person, contractor, FA or otherwise be any different? Failing to do so is just bad business, IMO.
Also FAs in First on CX, QF and BA always address me by my name, so why can't the airlines from 3rd world America do them same? Those airlines have edible food, too. The meals I had 2 weeks ago in AA F to LHR and back were inedible and an embarrassment.
Actually, I was pretty impressed and pleased when, upon exiting the FL at JFK yesterday, after having interacted with the AAngel for all of 30 seconds upon entry, and with about 50 people in the lounge, she made a point of saying "thank you so much for visiting, Mr. ESpen36, it was great to see you!" Wow! Granted, I have seen her a few other times, but she actually remembered my name about 1.5 hours later, with a steady stream of people! Cool stuff.
Jun 9, 2012, 11:58 am
#33
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Once again demonstrating that the differing opinions on AA's service are entirely due to differing priorities. If my contractor's the best at what s/he does, I don't care if s/he calls me "bub" and shows up wearing an "I'm With Stupid" shirt. Similarly, I'm really more interested in the tangible, rather than superficial, aspects of onboard service. But I'm sure we can spend another several pages fruitlessly arguing our subjective opinions on the matter as objective fact.
What do you think AA management wants in terms of service delivery? I don't think anything OP mentioned is outside what is supposed to happen. He certainly didn't complain that FAs weren't dressed in sarongs and they didn't serve Dom? He made one suggest for a better breakfast offering.
There is a service element to flying - this crew didn't deliver the service level their company wants them to deliver - end of story even if you think the service level is higher than it needs to be.
Jun 9, 2012, 11:59 am
#34
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Actually, I was pretty impressed and pleased when, upon exiting the FL at JFK yesterday, after having interacted with the AAngel for all of 30 seconds upon entry, and with about 50 people in the lounge, she made a point of saying "thank you so much for visiting, Mr. ESpen36, it was great to see you!" Wow! Granted, I have seen her a few other times, but she actually remembered my name about 1.5 hours later, with a steady stream of people! Cool stuff.
Jun 9, 2012, 12:24 pm
#35
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Oops...did I betray the fact that this is probably one of the most DYKWIM-iest threads in a while? :-:
Jun 9, 2012, 12:29 pm
#36
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"When the FA was serving my dinner, her elbow blocked my screen for 1.37 seconds and she had the nerve to just say "excuse me" instead of issuing a full written apology and compensatory miles! No wonder AA is bankrupt!
"
Jun 9, 2012, 12:31 pm
#37
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The debate is over whether pax should get all bent out of shape over not being called "Your Highness, the Grand and Exalted Passenger in Seat 2A, On Whom the Future of All Mankind Rests."
Oops...did I betray the fact that this is probably one of the most DYKWIM-iest threads in a while? :-:
Oops...did I betray the fact that this is probably one of the most DYKWIM-iest threads in a while? :-:
OP:
-no greeting when coming into cabin or even after sitting down for a few minutes
-no use of names..not once
Jun 9, 2012, 12:32 pm
#38
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Nah, we seem to get threads like this about once a week.
"When the FA was serving my dinner, her elbow blocked my screen for 1.37 seconds and she had the nerve to just say "excuse me" instead of issuing a full written apology and compensatory miles! No wonder AA is bankrupt!"
"When the FA was serving my dinner, her elbow blocked my screen for 1.37 seconds and she had the nerve to just say "excuse me" instead of issuing a full written apology and compensatory miles! No wonder AA is bankrupt!
"
Jun 9, 2012, 12:34 pm
#39
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You're right. Everyone knows that AA advertises OJ from the finest groves of Mesopotamia hand-squeezed by angels; it's an outrage that they served Minute Maid.
Jun 9, 2012, 12:49 pm
#40
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: NYC
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I realize I'm in the minority on this. An on-time flight, a nice seat, decent food and enough water satisfies the vast majority of my flight needs.
Not getting promised turndown service and being woken 90 minutes before landing is worth a complaint.
Jun 9, 2012, 12:52 pm
#41
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Jun 9, 2012, 12:53 pm
#42
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STUFF THAT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN PER AA's SERVICE STANDARDS FOR F:
-no greeting when coming into cabin or even after sitting down for a few minutes
-no use of names..not once
-40 minutes for first drink and seat belt sign was not the issue
-had to request the advertised turn down service
-purser never came to greet us as promised on the new card that comes with the menus that describes the new turndown service
-always thought it was an odd offer but it you going to advertise it, at least ask people if the want the sparkling water pre-arrival
-one of the three F flight attendants was sound asleep in 1D (across from the pilot rest seat which went unused as they used the bunk)...this is fine if it is allowed but I suspect it is not...if so, why do AA flight attendants blatantly violate procedure like with no fear of disciplinary action
-reaching over passengers to wake them up 90 minutes before landing to collect Bose headsets (NOT SURE)
OPINIONS/SUGGESTIONS ABOUT WHAT CAN BE IMPROVED:
-some pretty gross food in the JFK Flagship Lounge
-have something other than a breakfast sandwich for the hot option and a choice of breads and not just croissants
-upgrade the OJ...Minute Maid in 3 class F?
Jun 9, 2012, 12:55 pm
#43
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Are there published standards for AA F service? Published as in generally available to the public, such as advertisements.
Jun 9, 2012, 12:57 pm
#44
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Press release...
http://aa.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=3321
"We believe this new suite of premium products is a wise investment because it enables us to provide an added level of comfort and style to the inflight environment – a sentiment applauded by customers on international test flights earlier this month," said Rob Friedman, American's Vice President – Marketing. "This initiative to further complement our premium customers' travel experience is another example of our commitment to make American the airline of choice for global travelers."
Beginning Sept. 1, customers traveling onboard American's flights between the U.S. and London Heathrow (LHR) will be among the first to enjoy the new offerings. First Class customers traveling onboard Boeing 777s between the U.S. and Heathrow will receive a quilted bed topper custom-designed to fit American's popular Flagship Suite, pajamas and slippers as part of the airline's new turndown service. A lightweight day blanket, new premium duvet and pillow, and an amenity kit featuring a bag with an authentic Eames OfficeŽ design pattern and containing DermalogicaŽ skincare products and other travel necessities complete the new suite of amenities.
"American is the first and only U.S. airline to offer pajamas, slippers and a quilted bed topper as part of its turndown service – a step that better aligns us with our joint business and oneworldŽ Alliance partners," added Friedman.
Copy of FA survey on how the Turndown Service was impacting service
http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/2929/tdform.png
Last edited by elitetraveler; Jun 9, 2012 at 1:03 pm
Jun 9, 2012, 1:13 pm
#45
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I get what you're saying; my point is simply that I don't care what the service standards are. My selfish point of view is that I only care about whether the service I receive meets my standards, and it has on every single flight I've taken with AA. Therefore I'll continue giving them my business and writing compliments when I think an employee has gone above and beyond. And I'm sure AA doesn't care about your dissatisfaction as long as you keep giving them your business. If you're really that displeased, put your money where your mouth is.