FA Charging For Liquor/Drinks in MCE
Aug 29, 2018, 11:18 am
#346
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 10,060
As for people in line for a FA job, that is quite true. In 2016 it's reported that Delta had 150,000 applicants for about FA 1000 positions. People see a flight attendant job posting and think it's the glamour of the 1960's until they find that they are flying 8 short hops per day to small cities like Albany and Allentown instead of long haul routes to London and Paris until they build up 10-15 years seniority.
Aug 29, 2018, 11:38 am
#347
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: AAdvantage EXP | United Silver | HH Diamond | Bonvoy Platinum | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 718
I flew LAX-JFK in late July and sat MCE 12D. The girl across the aisle ordered a glass of wine and the FA charged her. When the FA turned to me, I mentioned that MCE was supposed to get complimentary cocktails and she said, "No, only Exec Platinum."
I recommend having a screenshot of the email on your phone to show FAs (without needing WiFi to pull up the email itself).
I recommend having a screenshot of the email on your phone to show FAs (without needing WiFi to pull up the email itself).
This is ridiculous - it's an advertised benefit, no customer should ever have to argue with them over this or come armored into MCE with a screen shot.
Aug 29, 2018, 12:26 pm
#348
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Denver
Programs: AS, AA, UA, Hilton, Marriott, Caesars DE
Posts: 2,070
Aug 29, 2018, 3:40 pm
#349
Join Date: May 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Hilton Honors Gold, Bonvoy Gold Elite, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 114
Just to clarify, I was merely suggesting a way to avoid a tussle on the flight, not suggesting that American shouldn't make sure all FA's follow the rules.
Aug 29, 2018, 6:45 pm
#350
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 255
I flew LAX-JFK in late July and sat MCE 12D. The girl across the aisle ordered a glass of wine and the FA charged her. When the FA turned to me, I mentioned that MCE was supposed to get complimentary cocktails and she said, "No, only Exec Platinum."
I actually pulled up the June 5 email I had received about "complimentary drinks in MCE" and showed it to her. She looked shocked. She said, "I didn't even know about this." She went away, talked to the head FA, came back and said, "You are absolutely right. I'm so sorry." and then had to refund the woman across the aisle (who thanked me). I was, however, in the row just behind bulkhead so don't know whether those folks got a refund.
I recommend having a screenshot of the email on your phone to show FAs (without needing WiFi to pull up the email itself).
I actually pulled up the June 5 email I had received about "complimentary drinks in MCE" and showed it to her. She looked shocked. She said, "I didn't even know about this." She went away, talked to the head FA, came back and said, "You are absolutely right. I'm so sorry." and then had to refund the woman across the aisle (who thanked me). I was, however, in the row just behind bulkhead so don't know whether those folks got a refund.
I recommend having a screenshot of the email on your phone to show FAs (without needing WiFi to pull up the email itself).
Last edited by rumboj; Aug 29, 2018 at 11:05 pm
Aug 29, 2018, 7:55 pm
#351
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: AAdvantage EXP | United Silver | HH Diamond | Bonvoy Platinum | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 718
Oh trust me I have had to have that email ready at least three times, wether for the free drink or because they thought it was just beer/wine (I like my bloodies sorry not sorry). I should just start paying for it, and then file a complaint for a refund so maybe they can start to get the message and track down the folks that haven't been trained.
Aug 29, 2018, 9:37 pm
#352
Join Date: May 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Hilton Honors Gold, Bonvoy Gold Elite, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 114
Aug 29, 2018, 9:43 pm
#353
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: PNS
Programs: DL FO, UA, AA
Posts: 700
So what do FT's think the overall problem is? I can't imagine it to be a lack of notice/memo. Did they just forget or not pay attention? Do they not want to perform the extra service? I am just trying to figure out the underlying issue here. For any company I have ever worked for when there is a company wide directive you just don't forget about it, weren't trained on it, or had someone remind you...
Aug 29, 2018, 9:48 pm
#354
Join Date: May 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Hilton Honors Gold, Bonvoy Gold Elite, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 114
So what do FT's think the overall problem is? I can't imagine it to be a lack of notice/memo. Did they just forget or not pay attention? Do they not want to perform the extra service? I am just trying to figure out the underlying issue here. For any company I have ever worked for when there is a company wide directive you just don't forget about it, weren't trained on it, or had someone remind you...
Aug 29, 2018, 9:57 pm
#355
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: PNS
Programs: DL FO, UA, AA
Posts: 700
The crazy thing is that I would actually think the FAs would PREFER it, since having to grab a credit card and run it thru takes extra time. I've had tons of FAs over the years not charge me for drinks, anyway, even when I wasn't EXP. But, it is a great question. I'm sure Corp sent out more than one email about it.i
EDIT: To add, sometimes only one FA has the card reader/scanner so they don't want to have to go and get it from the other FA to make the purchase or scan (Don't blame them one bit).
Last edited by AeRoSpaceman; Aug 29, 2018 at 9:59 pm Reason: EDIT to add
Aug 29, 2018, 10:13 pm
#356
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: AAdvantage Exec Platinum, Hertz #1 Club Gold Five Star, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, HHonors Silver
Posts: 2,035
So what do FT's think the overall problem is? I can't imagine it to be a lack of notice/memo. Did they just forget or not pay attention? Do they not want to perform the extra service? I am just trying to figure out the underlying issue here. For any company I have ever worked for when there is a company wide directive you just don't forget about it, weren't trained on it, or had someone remind you...
Aug 30, 2018, 6:16 am
#357
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
My sense is that its a combination of not caring or some believing Y paxs (even those seated in MCE) shouldn't be entitled to free drinks. Training, really. The "training" consists of a pax sitting in a Y seat with the blue markings of MCE is entitled to free alcoholic beverages. How could that be possibly hard to understand? My sense is that its probably LAA FAs that "aren't going the memo" as they seem to be the ones that either ignore company policy (like PDBs in F) or adapt to their own beliefs (like serving only warm water or OJ for PDBs.)
Aug 30, 2018, 11:15 am
#358
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DL: Silver; AA: EX PLAT; UA: Silver; HY: DIA; HH: DIA; MR: TIT
Posts: 1,708
Aug 30, 2018, 11:49 am
#359
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: AAdvantage Exec Platinum, Hertz #1 Club Gold Five Star, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, HHonors Silver
Posts: 2,035
Aug 30, 2018, 11:51 am
#360
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344