A new crime: "Taking Food Out of First Class"
Jan 17, 2009, 8:47 am
#46
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I'm curious how the OP reacts when he tells his kids not to do something and they do it anyway.
Jan 17, 2009, 9:38 am
#47
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Jan 17, 2009, 10:16 am
#49
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But Mom only said I should not do it, she didn't prohibit me from doing it.
Jan 17, 2009, 10:24 am
#50
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On the other hand, the possibility that the restless cattle, all herded into and confined to the rear, might begin to bellow loudly and stampede for FC desserts is a long shot (although I've heard a lot of muttering, dissent, agitation and outright demagoguery on some crowded AA flights of late).
Jan 17, 2009, 10:28 am
#51
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I guess I'd be a scofflaw, and subject to punishment, but I would have done almost exactly the same as the original poster except when the purser came, I would say "go right ahead, write me up".
Jan 17, 2009, 10:34 am
#52
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I had a completely opposite experience. My upgrade cleared, but unfortunately my husband's did not on a flight from JFK-FCO. When the dessert service began, I asked the FA if he would be so kind as to give my sundae to my husband back in coach (at least he had the exit row). He did not have any problem creating a beautiful hot fudge sundae with all the trimmings and delivered it for me.
I guess the rules are dependent on the flight crew.
I guess the rules are dependent on the flight crew.
Jan 17, 2009, 10:40 am
#53
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Any service items should never go down in service, but anything can go up in service.
Whether it be a Duvet cover, pillow, food, ice cream, nothing should come from a premium cabin to a 'lower class' cabin.
Reason being, if someone else saw this item, then they would request it. When they are told they can't have it, then it becomes a why 'them' and not 'us' issue.
It doesn't matter whether the kids are in coach or the folks are in coach...think of the times that you may have been in coach a possibly saw someone else get something that you weren't allowed to have.
To reduce the aggravation of explaining to others why they can't have a certain service item...simply it's a privilege to be in F/J, if they wanted to have a cookie, or ice cream, then they could purchase it. Otherwise, they can't have what's offered in F/J because Y isn't offered that service item. Same thing with the PEDs, can't take them back into Y because it's not an item that is offered to them.
OP should have never taken the items back to their kids in Y in the first place. What about the other kids in Y...aren't they entitled to the Ice Cream as well since the OP took his kids the ice cream? if you're going to take them back to the kids, then take enough back to everyone else....
Whether it be a Duvet cover, pillow, food, ice cream, nothing should come from a premium cabin to a 'lower class' cabin.
Reason being, if someone else saw this item, then they would request it. When they are told they can't have it, then it becomes a why 'them' and not 'us' issue.
It doesn't matter whether the kids are in coach or the folks are in coach...think of the times that you may have been in coach a possibly saw someone else get something that you weren't allowed to have.
To reduce the aggravation of explaining to others why they can't have a certain service item...simply it's a privilege to be in F/J, if they wanted to have a cookie, or ice cream, then they could purchase it. Otherwise, they can't have what's offered in F/J because Y isn't offered that service item. Same thing with the PEDs, can't take them back into Y because it's not an item that is offered to them.
OP should have never taken the items back to their kids in Y in the first place. What about the other kids in Y...aren't they entitled to the Ice Cream as well since the OP took his kids the ice cream? if you're going to take them back to the kids, then take enough back to everyone else....
The "impact on others" arguement I just don't understand. Whether or not the ice cream is brought back, on a given trip, a child will see many food items that other kids are getting from their parents that aren't available to them. One more is a big deal?
I have no problem with reusable items not being allowed out of first, it would get lost.
Last edited by beachfan; Jan 17, 2009 at 10:46 am
Jan 17, 2009, 10:42 am
#54
Join Date: Oct 2005
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I think the arrogance factor has well been covered. 
As far as an incident report, I have been a party to one before. My 3 year old child was verbally threatened by another passenger on a flight. He was moved to another seat in-flight and a report was filed. The offending "special needs" passenger was no longer allowed to fly AA without an escort. This was an internal report to AA and resulted in denied service or limitations to future travel. Other "inside" persons can give you a better perspective for your situation.
Switching seats between class of cabins is prohibited as well. On a DFW-HNL flight we switched seats with our nanny so my wife could spend time with our daughter. The FA said it was not allowed but would be okay after the service was completed. However, the purser overruled her after we made the switch. Some FA's are willing to bend the rules some are not. It is their flight and up to them to determine what risks to their carrier they wanted to accept for not following the rules.
As far as an incident report, I have been a party to one before. My 3 year old child was verbally threatened by another passenger on a flight. He was moved to another seat in-flight and a report was filed. The offending "special needs" passenger was no longer allowed to fly AA without an escort. This was an internal report to AA and resulted in denied service or limitations to future travel. Other "inside" persons can give you a better perspective for your situation.
Switching seats between class of cabins is prohibited as well. On a DFW-HNL flight we switched seats with our nanny so my wife could spend time with our daughter. The FA said it was not allowed but would be okay after the service was completed. However, the purser overruled her after we made the switch. Some FA's are willing to bend the rules some are not. It is their flight and up to them to determine what risks to their carrier they wanted to accept for not following the rules.
Jan 17, 2009, 10:47 am
#55
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To the contrary, above seems quite clear that you were inferring that this (as UA calls it) "one time exception" done for your brother was, in fact, a United policy. Of course you wouldn't have complained.
Jan 17, 2009, 10:50 am
#56
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Jan 17, 2009, 11:03 am
#57
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Either fly together in the same cabin, or stop complaining if you don't like the rules when you choose to sit apart in your upgraded seats.
Jan 17, 2009, 11:11 am
#58
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He wasn't do any of those things. He was bringing a first class item for someone in coach. If he wanted the kids to have FC perks, he should have seated them in FC.
It's a bit like ordering an all you can eat meal in a restaurant, and then sharing it.
I think it is also a different set of circumstances after first told it wasn't permitted.
Did the OP think the FA was joking?
I am curious about the reasoning between asking about it, then doing the opposite of what you are told.
Did the OP tell his kid how the FA told him it wasn't permitted, yet he did it anyway, to show he was a "good parent"?
It's a bit like ordering an all you can eat meal in a restaurant, and then sharing it.
I think it is also a different set of circumstances after first told it wasn't permitted.
Did the OP think the FA was joking?
I am curious about the reasoning between asking about it, then doing the opposite of what you are told.
Did the OP tell his kid how the FA told him it wasn't permitted, yet he did it anyway, to show he was a "good parent"?
Jan 17, 2009, 11:30 am
#59
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Interesting thread. In 20 years of flying AA, and many years as elite in F, I have never been told by my F FA not to give my food to my parents or friends traveling with me in Y. In fact, it is more common for an FA to offer to give my parents/friends an extra cookie, snack, or cocktail. But then, I tend to be very friendly to FAs.
My opinion is that my FC food is mine to use as I see fit. I may eat it, I may gift it to my mom while she sits in coach. If I share my food, I don't ask for a replacement for me in F, so there is no negative revenue impact to AA. If I was taking my food back to Y and starting a bidding auction for it to strangers, that would be disruptive and I would expect to be told to stop it.
If an FA were to write me up for giving my mom a cookie, I would laugh directly at them. But as I noted, my experience has been that FAs have been generally friendly to me, and more than willing to give extras to my family in Y and I've never asked them to do so. The reaction of my parent's seatmates is usually "must be nice to have friends in high places" with a smile.
My opinion is that my FC food is mine to use as I see fit. I may eat it, I may gift it to my mom while she sits in coach. If I share my food, I don't ask for a replacement for me in F, so there is no negative revenue impact to AA. If I was taking my food back to Y and starting a bidding auction for it to strangers, that would be disruptive and I would expect to be told to stop it.
If an FA were to write me up for giving my mom a cookie, I would laugh directly at them. But as I noted, my experience has been that FAs have been generally friendly to me, and more than willing to give extras to my family in Y and I've never asked them to do so. The reaction of my parent's seatmates is usually "must be nice to have friends in high places" with a smile.
Jan 17, 2009, 12:19 pm
#60
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I'm with the OP here. My food is mine to do whatever I like (may be not the dishes).
Anybody who has children who love icecream would have probably done the same. Those that are not parents can not really imagine what a child smile and surprise gesture means for dad or mom.
So sue me, but if I'm traveling with my wife in F and my kid is with grandpa and grandma in Y, he will surely receive mom and dad's icecreams (both).
Cookies and others that do not use dishes are a no brainer.
--in the OP situation I would have asked the purser (may be with a little attitude) if s/he has kids.
I'm with the OP here. My food is mine to do whatever I like (may be not the dishes).
Anybody who has children who love icecream would have probably done the same. Those that are not parents can not really imagine what a child smile and surprise gesture means for dad or mom.
So sue me, but if I'm traveling with my wife in F and my kid is with grandpa and grandma in Y, he will surely receive mom and dad's icecreams (both).
Cookies and others that do not use dishes are a no brainer.
--in the OP situation I would have asked the purser (may be with a little attitude) if s/he has kids.