Discussion: AA Catering still Disgusting (separate from description / menu threads)
Jun 23, 2015, 10:14 am
#196
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,405
Why couldn't USdbaAA have been both, right off the bat? Why ruin the good thing that pmAA had going, just for the thrill of seeing if Dougie could get away with it? Ridiculous.
Jun 23, 2015, 10:20 am
#197
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SFO, LON
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, Bonvoy Tit, Hilton Dia etc etc
Posts: 2,354
I mean come on, you can make a mirror pithy statement go the other way: if you ran a business, would you cut half the spend on some expense if those cuts were going to seriously impact your high margin revenue? Do you suppose management is not obligated to make sure they don't lose their best customers?
It's harder than that, I am sure you know it. Non finance types exist in leadership roles precisely to figure out which end is your backside and which is your elbow when it ain't plainly obvious. Otherwise all we'd have are CFOs and decision algorithms and we'd save a boatload of aggravation and compensation money
They messed up, or we wouldn't be seeing what we're seeing now. I agree with JonNYC, this is it: if the change is not enough, they're gonna lose on the big money spenders, that better be clear to them now. This means not just putting a teaspoon of lobster on mac'n'cheese, it means addressing the pathetic cheapening of the whole experience, since that's not what you're getting on the competitors. It's gonna be interesting, that's for sure.
Jun 23, 2015, 10:26 am
#198
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
From my view, the only people DP is trying to satisfy are the investors. I'm sure he has a bonus structure dependent upon this happening and customers be damned. The only decision we get to make is where we want to spend our dollars. As long as there are alternatives, we have choices.
Jun 23, 2015, 10:35 am
#199
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
Who says it isn't going to change the revenue? Yes, I would spend more to offer my customers a quality product which they could rely on, so that in the future they will want to continue to do business with me. If I sold crap to people which did not live up to their expectations, I would be out of business quickly. Of course, I also don't have the US Government in my back pocket.
Jun 23, 2015, 11:56 am
#200
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY & 1MM, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,970
The term "enhanced" or "upgraded" is often mocked at the UA forum. Even after the so-called enhanced catering, there are tons of complaints on the same UA forum, so I will stick with AA.
Jun 23, 2015, 11:56 am
#201
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
I think the most ironic thing about this "food" event in DFW is that those tacky paper tray liners are not present....but guess what is? Blue/Navy linens covering the tray. Do they think the paper liners are too cheap looking for a press conference but fine enough for actual passenger presentation? 
Last edited by AANYC1981; Jun 23, 2015 at 1:09 pm
Jun 23, 2015, 12:35 pm
#202
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP
Posts: 7,170
I think the most ironic thing about this "food" event in DFW is that those tacking paper tray liners are not present....but guess what is? Blue/Navy linens covering the tray. Do they think the linens are too cheap looking for a press conference but fine enough for actual passenger presentation?
At the event an AA rep acknowledged that there have been problems with getting FA's to re-adapt to placing linens. I believe they mentioned linens will start being preset by the caterers.
Jun 23, 2015, 1:11 pm
#203
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Nice to hear.....my paper tray liner today was so crumpled up that a portion of my meal was sitting on the bare tray. Tried straightening it out but the folds were too strong/indented.
Jun 23, 2015, 7:12 pm
#204
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,755
You better if not doing so is going to seriously hit your high margin revenue.
I mean come on, you can make a mirror pithy statement go the other way: if you ran a business, would you cut half the spend on some expense if those cuts were going to seriously impact your high margin revenue? Do you suppose management is not obligated to make sure they don't lose their best customers?
It's harder than that, I am sure you know it. Non finance types exist in leadership roles precisely to figure out which end is your backside and which is your elbow when it ain't plainly obvious. Otherwise all we'd have are CFOs and decision algorithms and we'd save a boatload of aggravation and compensation money
They messed up, or we wouldn't be seeing what we're seeing now. I agree with JonNYC, this is it: if the change is not enough, they're gonna lose on the big money spenders, that better be clear to them now. This means not just putting a teaspoon of lobster on mac'n'cheese, it means addressing the pathetic cheapening of the whole experience, since that's not what you're getting on the competitors. It's gonna be interesting, that's for sure.
I mean come on, you can make a mirror pithy statement go the other way: if you ran a business, would you cut half the spend on some expense if those cuts were going to seriously impact your high margin revenue? Do you suppose management is not obligated to make sure they don't lose their best customers?
It's harder than that, I am sure you know it. Non finance types exist in leadership roles precisely to figure out which end is your backside and which is your elbow when it ain't plainly obvious. Otherwise all we'd have are CFOs and decision algorithms and we'd save a boatload of aggravation and compensation money
They messed up, or we wouldn't be seeing what we're seeing now. I agree with JonNYC, this is it: if the change is not enough, they're gonna lose on the big money spenders, that better be clear to them now. This means not just putting a teaspoon of lobster on mac'n'cheese, it means addressing the pathetic cheapening of the whole experience, since that's not what you're getting on the competitors. It's gonna be interesting, that's for sure.
For me the calculus is easy. This year I'm commuting more or less monthly BKK/BOS. I route through ICN both ways to take advantage of the low fares (~USD $3,100 roundtrip in paid F). So between the low fares and the absurdly rich AAdvantage bonus opportunities during 2015, flying AA is a no brainer for me. I can buy food in the terminal, or ask the hotel to package a meal or two for my flights. In fact, that's exactly what I do.
But let's not forget that AA has numerous ways to motivate people, -- it's not just food.
Jun 23, 2015, 8:40 pm
#205
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
Fair enough. Schedule and price held constant (which often they relatively are between competitors) I will choose the airline which offers me the best overall product at the best price. Personally I've come to stop caring about miles or elite status at this point. It's too tempting to fly a variety of the far superior foreign airlines on intercontinental travel rather than put up with the AAncient aircraft, surly crews, prison food, and overall AApathy demonstrated by AA these days.
Jun 23, 2015, 9:34 pm
#206
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: PHX
Programs: US,HH
Posts: 636
All of these things existed before and directly after the merger when I flew them in F. Other than some degradation of food, which wasn't all that great to begin with, AA is running BAU.
Jun 24, 2015, 7:50 am
#207
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
I completely disagree. Anyone who spent a significant amount of time with AA prior to its merger could easily tell that food, customer service, seat comfort, employee attentiveness, flight schedules, PDB services, IRROPs handling, upgrade processing, elite phone lines, etc. have all taken a discernible hit lately. The first three being the most major IMO.
Jun 24, 2015, 7:53 am
#208
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 2,085
The other good news that I see is that the generic "beef" dishes, which are actually short rib, will be going away.
Jun 24, 2015, 9:32 am
#210
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
The silver lining to the pathetic disgusting catering that is now the norm at AA (along with smaller portions) is that I often skip the "meal" altogether now or if I do nibble on a few items its often a much smaller portion. Lately I have been feeling much better when I get off the plane.
"Mystery meat in congealed sauce?" I'll pass.
"Warmed on board cookie?" Uhh, no thanks.