Dec 19, 2012, 6:28 am
Last edit by: JDiver
MODERATOR GUIDEPOST
THIS THREAD IS ARCHIVED, as FEBO is now only of historical interest, as FEBO has been superseded. Please see
New meal order system by flight direction & time zone - no FEBO (Sep '14)
The general rule of thumb for how meal orders are taken WAS:
This thread is dedicated to questions about the FEBO and ELFORB rules, when they are applied, and how strict they are.
Additional information can also be found on the AA Food and Beverage FlyerGuide Wiki page.
Note that this thread is a consolidation of a couple of different threads, so some posts may be interleaved.
~AAdvantage Forum Moderation Team
THIS THREAD IS ARCHIVED, as FEBO is now only of historical interest, as FEBO has been superseded. Please see
New meal order system by flight direction & time zone - no FEBO (Sep '14)
The general rule of thumb for how meal orders are taken WAS:
- FEBO: Front Even, Back Odd
- Used on single aisle aircraft in the premium cabins
- Used on two aisle aircraft in the premium cabins when orders are taken by two FAs simultaneously
- ELFORB: Even Left Front, Odd Right Back
- Used on two aisle aircraft in the premium cabins when orders are taken by just one FA
This thread is dedicated to questions about the FEBO and ELFORB rules, when they are applied, and how strict they are.
Additional information can also be found on the AA Food and Beverage FlyerGuide Wiki page.
Note that this thread is a consolidation of a couple of different threads, so some posts may be interleaved.
~AAdvantage Forum Moderation Team
What are FEBO / ELFORB? Are they applied as rules or suggestions? (consolidated)
May 16, 2010, 3:14 am
#76
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: 6E Westbound, 4E Eastbound
Programs: AA EXP & 3MM, Priority Club Plat since 1984
Posts: 6,293
YOu should have FEBO, but as indicated, no written guarantee.
My own 90+ segment a year experience substantiates what was stated - it takes place over 90% of the time.
My own 90+ segment a year experience substantiates what was stated - it takes place over 90% of the time.
May 16, 2010, 7:06 am
#77
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Washington DC Metro Area
Programs: A: PP, LTG/1.5M | UA: SLV | Bonvoy LTTi | IHG PLT| Avis PC | Nat'l Emerald Club EE
Posts: 1,067
cheers!
May 16, 2010, 7:19 am
#78
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: USA
Programs: AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 652
^ my experience too. If I am traveling for work it never bothers me that much if a menu choice runs out before I am served. I can find something to eat on the tray. No big deal. Now for leisure travel we are more strategic as my SO has a food allergy, so we always pick seats in the middle of the F/J cabin hoping that we will still get a choice whether they start from front or back. So far, it has always worked and we have never been stuck with an option that is a problem.
May 16, 2010, 7:27 am
#79
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,585
BBB, I've flown 34 meal flights this year and FEBO was followed on every one.
May 16, 2010, 9:21 am
#80
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Home: East Mids UK - Work (Base): Accra, Ghana.
Programs: BAEC: Silver - Marriott: Titanium
Posts: 12,086
Thumper, AAir_head, davesam12 and SFO777,
Thank you for your replies. I have gone for seats nearer the start of the service end, but not the first row...
No doubt I will share my trip report of my SFO-ORD-MIA-MGA-MIA-SFO trip later in the year.
Best Regards,
Thank you for your replies. I have gone for seats nearer the start of the service end, but not the first row...
No doubt I will share my trip report of my SFO-ORD-MIA-MGA-MIA-SFO trip later in the year.
Best Regards,
May 16, 2010, 10:04 am
#81
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: NorCal
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott GLD, HH PLT, Hertz 5*
Posts: 766
On a recent SFO-MIA 763, the FA's followed FEBO for the Entree, but when it came to the desert, one FA went Front to Back in the A-D side, then Back to Front on the E-J side, and when it got to me in 4J they had run out of the cheese/cracker... DOH!.
BM
BM
May 16, 2010, 7:43 pm
#82
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,762
May 16, 2010, 8:10 pm
#83
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Slackerville, FL USA
Posts: 1,844
The only times people don't usually do it is if there are enough meal choices to go around, there are enough empty seats in the cabin to make the choices even, or the person working the premium cabin never works up there and has no clue about FEBO. You'd all be surprised how many FAs that make up the latter group exist.
May 16, 2010, 11:50 pm
#84
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Why should informing the FA's before hand get someone a meal that can not be reserved? The ordering should be done by FEBO, not because some claims to be vegetarian or a meatatarian.
May 17, 2010, 12:56 am
#85
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,990
Note that according to a long time FT member FA, "FEBO" os AA Policy and the process is noted in the FA's reference handbook as "Preferences".
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...es#post5256156
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...es#post5503535
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...es#post6487278
(Mention of "FEBO" to an A FA may get one a strange look.)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...es#post5256156
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...es#post5503535
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...es#post6487278
(Mention of "FEBO" to an A FA may get one a strange look.)
Last edited by serfty; May 17, 2010 at 1:08 am
May 17, 2010, 6:09 am
#86
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EP 3MM, UA Silver, Bonvoy LT TIT, Hyatt Explorist, HH Silver, Caesars PLT
Posts: 7,259
Agree. It shouldn't make a difference whether one is a lifelong meatlesstarian or just one after they hear the meal options.
May 17, 2010, 12:05 pm
#88
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,097
Note that according to a long time FT member FA, "FEBO" os AA Policy and the process is noted in the FA's reference handbook as "Preferences".
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...es#post5256156
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...es#post5503535
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...es#post6487278
(Mention of "FEBO" to an A FA may get one a strange look.)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...es#post5256156
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...es#post5503535
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...es#post6487278
(Mention of "FEBO" to an A FA may get one a strange look.)
AA is allowing the ~10% or so unprofessional FAs who provide nonstandard sub-par service to keep their job instead of being home collecting unemployment, all the while fully-trained FAs are at home on furlough and would love to provide professional service.
AA needs to take ownership of the broader front-line labor-management problem.
Jun 22, 2010, 6:10 pm
#89
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: SNA, LAX
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,293
How many of X vs Y meals are typically on a flight? Last 2-4 seats dont get a choice if everyone else orders the more popular dish?
Jun 22, 2010, 6:43 pm
#90
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: AA EXP, MR PLT
Posts: 12,848
Had it happen on a DFW-PIT flight last week. Even number flight and the FA started food service from the back. Luckily, she had both options when she got to me but I did ask her why she started from the back when it was an even number flight? Her answer: "It depends . . ."
I left it alone.
I left it alone.
