Jan 2, 2016, 5:51 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
AA Predeparture Beverages: When, What and Why not?
NOTE: Due to PDB service cancellation, this thread will rest until PDB resumption.
Older posts can be read in the archived thread here.NOTE: Due to PDB service cancellation, this thread will rest until PDB resumption.
Post by brc757rr, July 2015:
Originally Posted by AA policy regarding PDB
Pre-departure beverages are expected to be offered on all flights. On domestic flights, customers should be offered a beverage of choice. On international flights with bonded liquor, we offer a choice of orange juice, water, sparkling water, sparkling wine and mimosas and will fulfill requests for non alcoholic beverages of choice provided that supplies can be obtained without opening bonded carts and carriers. If pre-departure beverages cannot be served because of operational reasons, flight attendants are expected to apologize to customers and advise that beverages will be served as soon as possible after take off.
I was able to receive the exact language of the company policy from American Airlines today via Twitter regarding PDB's. I was actually quite impressed they followed up with me regarding a conversation that started a few days ago. I also received a nice note from Hector Adler who I also reached out to who said that pre-departure services were discussed at great length at a meeting late last week. Let's hope things begin to improve and if not we continue to press the FA's to follow company policy.
...
So there you have it.
...
So there you have it.
Originally Posted by RogerD408
Did a little searching on Twitter. A good hashtag could be just #PDBServed and the condition listed before that. So, something like:
@AmericanAir 08/18 AA123 ORG No #PDBServed
@AmericanAir 08/18 AA123 ORG Full #PDBServed
@AmericanAir 08/18 AA123 ORG Limited #PDBServed
This allows all PDB service to be posted, good, bad, and otherwise. This should show AA that we feel this is a desired service. Maybe if someone gets energetic, a summary post could be done, maybe weekly?
@AmericanAir 08/18 AA123 ORG No #PDBServed
@AmericanAir 08/18 AA123 ORG Full #PDBServed
@AmericanAir 08/18 AA123 ORG Limited #PDBServed
This allows all PDB service to be posted, good, bad, and otherwise. This should show AA that we feel this is a desired service. Maybe if someone gets energetic, a summary post could be done, maybe weekly?
Predeparture Drinks / Beverage (PDB) - When, What and Why Not? (consolidated)
Mar 20, 2018, 8:46 pm
#451
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Owner of 2,000 TWA shares
Posts: 812
3/20 AA2074 PHL-LGA. Yes, several times. Before door closed and as we were de-icing.
Mar 20, 2018, 10:21 pm
#452
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
With this service being so inconsistent for so many years, and I'm sure many of us voicing frustration, I just don't understand how nothing happens. How did LUS get crews trained to be consistent with this service, but LAA crews seem to struggle. I do find that newer AA crews are more inclined to offer a PDB service. It's frustrating.
Because, there are no rewards for providing the PDB, and there are no consequences for not providing the PDB. Hence........a crap shoot.
Mar 21, 2018, 7:43 am
#453
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
With this service being so inconsistent for so many years, and I'm sure many of us voicing frustration, I just don't understand how nothing happens. How did LUS get crews trained to be consistent with this service, but LAA crews seem to struggle. I do find that newer AA crews are more inclined to offer a PDB service. It's frustrating.
Mar 21, 2018, 9:29 am
#454
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
With the vast majority of my non-shuttle flights routing through PHL, I've found the older LUS crews to give much better service than the younger ones, e.g. eye contact, introducing themselves, proactive refills, etc. Incentives for service most assuredly play a role, but so does corporate vision/messaging. Doesn't seem to me that Douggie and Co. are supplying front line staff with a vision for AA. Is AA domestic F meant to be a premium "experience" or a bigger seat with better luggage stowage options?
Mar 21, 2018, 10:17 am
#455
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Austin, TX - AUS
Programs: AA Platinum, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott
Posts: 1,625
Here's an idea: offer commissions to FAs when they provide PDB. Passengers can report whether they were offered a PDB and the FAs can be compensated accordingly.
Mar 22, 2018, 11:17 am
#456
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: DCA
Programs: DL (ex-NW) Plat pining for self-serve WC's and real cheese
Posts: 715
Most recent trip, in paid F, only 1 for 4.
3/14/17: DCA-LAX: No
3/14/17: LAX-LAS: Yes
3/19/17: LAS-LAX: No
3/19/17: LAX-DCA: No
All flights boarded on time, and even arrived early. Especially for a DCA to LAX and return flight, I would have expected a better, more senior crew perhaps? Slightly off-topic, but on several of the flights I was not offered to have my coat hung. I either had to flag down an attendant or in one case, it sat with me from LAS to LAX. The best term I can find to describe the majority of AA flight attendants I've experienced lately is lazy. Any point in raising this issue to AA? I assume they don't really care.
3/14/17: DCA-LAX: No
3/14/17: LAX-LAS: Yes
3/19/17: LAS-LAX: No
3/19/17: LAX-DCA: No
All flights boarded on time, and even arrived early. Especially for a DCA to LAX and return flight, I would have expected a better, more senior crew perhaps? Slightly off-topic, but on several of the flights I was not offered to have my coat hung. I either had to flag down an attendant or in one case, it sat with me from LAS to LAX. The best term I can find to describe the majority of AA flight attendants I've experienced lately is lazy. Any point in raising this issue to AA? I assume they don't really care.
Mar 22, 2018, 11:21 am
#457
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Most recent trip, in paid F, only 1 for 4.
3/14/17: DCA-LAX: No
3/14/17: LAX-LAS: Yes
3/19/17: LAS-LAX: No
3/19/17: LAX-DCA: No
All flights boarded on time, and even arrived early. Especially for a DCA to LAX and return flight, I would have expected a better, more senior crew perhaps? Slightly off-topic, but on several of the flights I was not offered to have my coat hung. I either had to flag down an attendant or in one case, it sat with me from LAS to LAX. The best term I can find to describe the majority of AA flight attendants I've experienced lately is lazy. Any point in raising this issue to AA? I assume they don't really care.
3/14/17: DCA-LAX: No
3/14/17: LAX-LAS: Yes
3/19/17: LAS-LAX: No
3/19/17: LAX-DCA: No
All flights boarded on time, and even arrived early. Especially for a DCA to LAX and return flight, I would have expected a better, more senior crew perhaps? Slightly off-topic, but on several of the flights I was not offered to have my coat hung. I either had to flag down an attendant or in one case, it sat with me from LAS to LAX. The best term I can find to describe the majority of AA flight attendants I've experienced lately is lazy. Any point in raising this issue to AA? I assume they don't really care.
Mar 22, 2018, 1:15 pm
#458
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
AA 808
BOS -> PHL
A321
pdb offered and accepted despite late arriving aircraft, full flight, etc.
BOS -> PHL
A321
pdb offered and accepted despite late arriving aircraft, full flight, etc.
Mar 22, 2018, 3:34 pm
#459
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New Orleans (MSY)
Programs: AA EXP, IHG PLT, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Amtrak, WN
Posts: 2,617
That has been my experience as of late, at least. For more egregious issues, I’ve begun bypassing AA entirely and contacting the DOT first.
Mar 22, 2018, 4:01 pm
#460
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
AA 2100
PHL -> IAH
E190
Pdb offered and accepted. Surprised to make it given all of the delays. And after the A321 endless boarding process, love these Embraers.
PHL -> IAH
E190
Pdb offered and accepted. Surprised to make it given all of the delays. And after the A321 endless boarding process, love these Embraers.
Mar 22, 2018, 10:43 pm
#462
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP (2MM), HHonors Diamond
Posts: 443
AA2189 RDU-DFW 3/21
Boarded early, catering already came and no PDB. F/A could have cared less the entire flight. No smile, no response when I would say "thank you." Pretty much felt like she thought she was in prison by being there and she had "Purser" on her name tag. I'd hate to have her as my purser on a 10 hour flight!
Boarded early, catering already came and no PDB. F/A could have cared less the entire flight. No smile, no response when I would say "thank you." Pretty much felt like she thought she was in prison by being there and she had "Purser" on her name tag. I'd hate to have her as my purser on a 10 hour flight!
Mar 25, 2018, 4:38 am
#463
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
AA 800
IAH -> PHL
E-190
PDb offered and accepted. Didn’t test the TBAC’s rules on this 06:00 departure... But did observe a Bloody Mary being served
IAH -> PHL
E-190
PDb offered and accepted. Didn’t test the TBAC’s rules on this 06:00 departure... But did observe a Bloody Mary being served
Mar 25, 2018, 5:20 am
#464
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
LGA-MIA LAA 738 with seat back AVOD and full PDB
MIA-EYW E175 and full PDBEYW-CLT E175 and full PDBCLT-LGA LUS A321 and full PDB by an excellent LUS FAI’m starting to forget the last time I didn’t get a PDB on AA or LUS or maybe it’s too many PDBs 
Last edited by AANYC1981; Mar 28, 2018 at 10:41 pm
Mar 25, 2018, 8:48 am
#465
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
AA 1906
PHL -> BOS
E-190
PDB offered and accepted.
PHL -> BOS
E-190
PDB offered and accepted.
