FA Charging For Liquor/Drinks in MCE
Jul 27, 2018, 1:51 pm
#301
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Well it took the FAs (LAA at the time) as a whole like five years before they realized EXPs were comped a free drink and food item in Y. No suprise here a number of FAs still haven't gotten the memo (or more precisely the email is more modern terms.)
Jul 28, 2018, 6:55 am
#303
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
So I struck out again on my second attempt, this time on mainline PHX-CLT. FA charged other people before me in MCE. After I placed my order, FA looks at their handheld and then looks at me funny and says "you're not EP?". I said no, Main Cabin Extra drinks are no charge, right? FA looked puzzled and worked on the handheld. Then FA figured it out, said thanks and smiled.
So then people in my row are like wait a minute, I just got charged! FA proceeds to give refunds. I was suddenly the most popular person in my row. They said "we're going to have a 2nd round!". This actually made it fun.
So then people in my row are like wait a minute, I just got charged! FA proceeds to give refunds. I was suddenly the most popular person in my row. They said "we're going to have a 2nd round!". This actually made it fun.
Jul 28, 2018, 3:44 pm
#304
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
Last Thursday, ordered a can of Voodoo Ranger IPA and FA wanted to charge me along with the horrid bland chicken wrap that I ordered. I mentioned that AA announced that MCE gets free drinks now and she said oh thats right.
Guess we just have to be polite and remind them from time to time. Hopefully everyone will get up to speed quickly. AA should develop 5-10 minutes mandatory training webinars since its clear not everyone reads company communications or takes them seriously.
Guess we just have to be polite and remind them from time to time. Hopefully everyone will get up to speed quickly. AA should develop 5-10 minutes mandatory training webinars since its clear not everyone reads company communications or takes them seriously.
Jul 28, 2018, 10:54 pm
#305
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Raleigh, NC
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum - Lifetime
Posts: 16
I was on a flight from Charlotte to Vegas Wednesday seated in MCE. Flight attendant insisted MCE only gets one free drink. Several people on my row were charged for extra drinks. It is clear that AA has not communicated this very well. I sent a complaint to AA about the situation and they haven't responded as of yet. I realize it is relatively new and most customers aren't even aware of it but if you don't report it they will never get it communicated. As a lifetime Platinum I really like this change especially since they devalued my status by introducing a Platinum Pro level.
Jul 30, 2018, 12:13 pm
#306
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 123
I don't get why this should be so hard to train people to. When I was aircrew in the Air Force, at the squadron each of us had an individual FCIF (flight crew information file) folder. We were responsible to READ and KNOW anything placed in that folder before signing in for a mission. I think now it could easily be done electronically rather than using physical documents. Do the airlines not do something similar at their crew bases?
Last edited by twb3; Jul 30, 2018 at 12:14 pm Reason: spelling
Jul 30, 2018, 2:09 pm
#308
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,374
I think the better question is why isn't the technology in place to automatically not charge MCE passengers, so FAs don't have to worry about whether they should or should not be charged?
Jul 30, 2018, 3:42 pm
#309
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,995
The FA's actually have to read and understand said email; many seem more to rely on galley gossip for such education with corresponding failure.
Last edited by serfty; Jul 30, 2018 at 3:48 pm
Jul 30, 2018, 4:54 pm
#310
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Hilton Silver, Marriott Titanium Elite, AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 130
Had an FA DFW-ORD on 7/29 attempt to charge me for the double Woodford and Diet Coke I ordered. I mentioned MCE and he seemed irritated, then said "Oh, yeah." He followed that up by saying "Well, the first one is on us, the second is on you." I politely replied that there was no limit implied or otherwise and proceeded to log on to the app to show him what the customer sees when they select an MCE seat (FYI, it says "free alcohol on flights with full drink service"). I did not get the opportunity to show him as the other FA waved him off and said simply "no." He seemed even more irritated and continued the service. It really should not be an issue.
Aug 2, 2018, 5:17 pm
#311
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kirkland, WA
Programs: AS 75K,UA Gold 1.6MM, Hilton Dia, Marriott LT Plat, Hyatt Glb, Natl Exec, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,657
My FA brought me the double drink I ordered and started to ring me up as I sit in exit row 10A LUS A321. I said, "oh, in MCE drinks are supposed to be complimentary?", she just said "Oh... ok.." and then when my neighbor got his drinks she asked, "did you pay for MCE?" and the guy said "No, I just picked this seat", so she proceeded to charge him. 
I don't know if he has status, presumably he does. I didn't intervene in the conversation as he seemed more than willing to pay and didn't want to get into a fight with the FA on the policy.
I don't know if he has status, presumably he does. I didn't intervene in the conversation as he seemed more than willing to pay and didn't want to get into a fight with the FA on the policy.
Aug 2, 2018, 6:59 pm
#312
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Denver
Programs: AS, AA, UA, Hilton, Marriott, Caesars DE
Posts: 2,070
My FA brought me the double drink I ordered and started to ring me up as I sit in exit row 10A LUS A321. I said, "oh, in MCE drinks are supposed to be complimentary?", she just said "Oh... ok.." and then when my neighbor got his drinks she asked, "did you pay for MCE?" and the guy said "No, I just picked this seat", so she proceeded to charge him. I don't know if he has status, presumably he does. I didn't intervene in the conversation as he seemed more than willing to pay and didn't want to get into a fight with the FA on the policy.
I don't know if he has status, presumably he does. I didn't intervene in the conversation as he seemed more than willing to pay and didn't want to get into a fight with the FA on the policy.
Aug 3, 2018, 9:59 am
#313
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,808
It would be great if we could pre-order our drinks like we can with our meals in J and F on long hauls, or how we can pick our seats. Part of the MCE interface on the website should let you pick your drink. Then the FA will work from a manifest that says seat X gets the double Dewars neat.
Aug 3, 2018, 11:52 am
#314
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
My FA brought me the double drink I ordered and started to ring me up as I sit in exit row 10A LUS A321. I said, "oh, in MCE drinks are supposed to be complimentary?", she just said "Oh... ok.." and then when my neighbor got his drinks she asked, "did you pay for MCE?" and the guy said "No, I just picked this seat", so she proceeded to charge him. I don't know if he has status, presumably he does. I didn't intervene in the conversation as he seemed more than willing to pay and didn't want to get into a fight with the FA on the policy.
I don't know if he has status, presumably he does. I didn't intervene in the conversation as he seemed more than willing to pay and didn't want to get into a fight with the FA on the policy.Totally crAAZy behavior inside the aircraft these days.....