FA Charging For Liquor/Drinks in MCE
Jul 15, 2018, 3:52 pm
#241
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: District of Columbia
Programs: AA ExecPl, AT Gold, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond, National
Posts: 2,440
Jul 17, 2018, 8:27 am
#242
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dallas
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 591
I do indeed realize that if the FA does not follow policy the point is moot.
Jul 17, 2018, 9:08 am
#243
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
The short answer is yes, I've seen it. I feel the point of my post was somehow lost though. The poster I quoted mentioned the caveat Delta publishes, so I figured it may be helpful to some members to post AA's published caveat.
I do indeed realize that if the FA does not follow policy the point is moot.
I do indeed realize that if the FA does not follow policy the point is moot.
Jul 17, 2018, 9:36 am
#244
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dallas
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 591
Certainly helpful to present the T&Cs. I recall though a similar with B6 when they started to offer free booze to Mosaics, where the free booze was provided on flights which had "full service" which was defined by a timing requirement, rather than distance IIRC. Despite flights that qualified for "full service" according to time, I do remember flights when the FAs offered "limited service". I don't know if AA publishes criteria for "full service".
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28187803-post11.html
Jul 17, 2018, 9:57 am
#245
was thetravelingRedhead
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Western Michigan
Programs: Delta Silver Medallion, United Silver Premier
Posts: 642
On June 8 FA charged a few people in MCE for drinks before the other FA pointed out it was MCE and supposed to include a free drink. She had completely forgotten. She settled it by giving everyone she charged a second drink. I’m guessing it will be a month or two before they really remember.
The FA also mentioned there was no way to record the complimentary beverage on the tablet yet like they do for EXP food/beverage.
The FA also mentioned there was no way to record the complimentary beverage on the tablet yet like they do for EXP food/beverage.
I, like many other people on here travel heavily for both business and pleasure.
For work, I'm usually taking day trips, or 1-nighters trying to pitch my company's software to banks across the United States. Sales can be a brutal, thankless job, that's taxing on someone's personal life.
Booze helps. I don't think your assessment is fair. I get $75 per day in per diem and generally don't blow it on booze, so I'd be kind of frustrated if I didn't get my free drink with out some quibbling with a FA.
IMO, I don't think asking for a free drink you're supposed to receive is DYKWIA.
How often are MCE seats filled with non-status flyers? My cynicism tells me that management would prefer we ask for the benefit as opposed to automatically extending the benefit in order for them to charge the unenlightened. It's dastardly, I know, but it's a sleazy industry.
FTers are much less likely than the general population to scream "bait and switch" because we take far more flights than the average person and have had plenty of interactions with employees where we know the policy better than they do.
Plenty of the passengers sitting in MCE do not have this experience, get charged for a drink despite having paid extra for the seat and saw the message "free drinks" on the screen, so naturally many will think "bait and switch".
Plenty of the passengers sitting in MCE do not have this experience, get charged for a drink despite having paid extra for the seat and saw the message "free drinks" on the screen, so naturally many will think "bait and switch".
Also, AA crews are not happy at all with corporate.
In reading Gary Leff's article on the topic today:
https://viewfromthewing.boardingarea...h-free-drinks/
It appears FA's are frustrated over implementation of the new policy, and AA management has no idea what is actually occurring on the aircraft.
That sounds familiar.
https://viewfromthewing.boardingarea...h-free-drinks/
It appears FA's are frustrated over implementation of the new policy, and AA management has no idea what is actually occurring on the aircraft.
That sounds familiar.
This sounds like they knew the policy and were choosing to make their own rules instead. It's the same as the PDB issues in FC. The FAs have a beef with the company and take it out on the passengers. I'm more and more convinced that the so-called 'toxic' AA culture is actually not from the top down, but starting with the front line employees.
I don't see anywhere published that states "Everyone seated in the seats marked as MCE receives the benefits." The link provides states MCE can be purchased for as little as $20 or certain elites receive it for free. The only thing stated about BE is that: "Basic Economy fare tickets aren't eligible for complimentary/discounted access to Main Cabin Extra seats"
I don't see anywhere it states/eludes to "anyone seated" in those seats receives the free drinks or just those that bought it or receive it as an elite member. If it's not everyone in those seats, I agree that it's a HUGE burden on the FA to look up every passenger on the handheld to determine if they get drinks or not.
I don't see anywhere it states/eludes to "anyone seated" in those seats receives the free drinks or just those that bought it or receive it as an elite member. If it's not everyone in those seats, I agree that it's a HUGE burden on the FA to look up every passenger on the handheld to determine if they get drinks or not.
Jul 17, 2018, 10:43 am
#246
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,405
I think you make the point... if you move yourself from the back of the plane to an exit (MCE), should you then be entitled to free drinks even though you didn’t pay for them, and had no expectation of ever receiving them?
Jul 17, 2018, 11:10 am
#248
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: OMA/LNK
Programs: AA EXP, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 210
In the vein of AA FAs not letting company policy get in the way...
Good friend of mine was in MCE as a Platinum who selected his seat for free in accordance with the appropriate booking window.
FA claimed that free drinks were only available to those who actually pay for the seat and that they can see who has paid for the seat. He tweeted at AA who confirmed that she was full of, err, incorrect. That still did not get him his free drink but clearly AA continues to struggle with this rollout.
Good friend of mine was in MCE as a Platinum who selected his seat for free in accordance with the appropriate booking window.
FA claimed that free drinks were only available to those who actually pay for the seat and that they can see who has paid for the seat. He tweeted at AA who confirmed that she was full of, err, incorrect. That still did not get him his free drink but clearly AA continues to struggle with this rollout.
Jul 17, 2018, 11:21 am
#249
was thetravelingRedhead
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Western Michigan
Programs: Delta Silver Medallion, United Silver Premier
Posts: 642
It never gets you anywhere also, with anything airline related. Respect and understanding is better.
It does make me wonder if FAs are going to start enforcing those like me who sometimes move to empty MCE seats.
Jul 17, 2018, 11:44 am
#250
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,405
I wouldn't ask personally or play an entitlement card. I feel that is just rude.
It never gets you anywhere also, with anything airline related. Respect and understanding is better.
It does make me wonder if FAs are going to start enforcing those like me who sometimes move to empty MCE seats.
It never gets you anywhere also, with anything airline related. Respect and understanding is better.
It does make me wonder if FAs are going to start enforcing those like me who sometimes move to empty MCE seats.
Jul 17, 2018, 12:00 pm
#251
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Dallas, TX, AA 3MM EXP, WN
Posts: 1,808
I was on a DFW-ORD flight yesterday and going standby took the last seat in very back of plane. FA 's appeared to be a rather new FA, with several seasoned mature FA. The first drink pass was completed, and the seasoned attendants were constantly complaining about MCE, while the new FA was serving all the drinks. It was 30 minutes of how we don't have time to serve coach, while they were literally standing in the back complaining. Its a good thing they don't fly WN with all the drink coupons flying around, and the requirement to ask every customer if they would like "anything else". Why is this a big deal on AA 737-800 with about 5 rows and not a big deal on WN with a whole coach section?
Jul 17, 2018, 1:16 pm
#252
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
I was on a DFW-ORD flight yesterday and going standby took the last seat in very back of plane. FA 's appeared to be a rather new FA, with several seasoned mature FA. The first drink pass was completed, and the seasoned attendants were constantly complaining about MCE, while the new FA was serving all the drinks. It was 30 minutes of how we don't have time to serve coach, while they were literally standing in the back complaining. Its a good thing they don't fly WN with all the drink coupons flying around, and the requirement to ask every customer if they would like "anything else". Why is this a big deal on AA 737-800 with about 5 rows and not a big deal on WN with a whole coach section?
WN aside, within AA the FAs are generally very good on Shuttle about providing a full beverage service (which includes free beer and wine for the entire Y cabin) on a thirty five minute to one hour and ten minute flight. Also, since AA has started using the Embraers, there's only two FAs onboard for some Shuttle flights...
Glad to see the senior FAs showing the junior FAs what "Going for Great" is all about ...
Jul 17, 2018, 1:50 pm
#254
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Funny on my recent LGA-ORD flight the lead FA was asking one FA to stay up front for hot towels, nuts and drinks to help out because she had heard terrible stories about this route from other FA's (I'm guessing stories about not being able to complete the full service in FC).
Jul 17, 2018, 8:17 pm
#255
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: AA EXP. HH DIAMOND.
Posts: 224
Funny on my recent LGA-ORD flight the lead FA was asking one FA to stay up front for hot towels, nuts and drinks to help out because she had heard terrible stories about this route from other FA's (I'm guessing stories about not being able to complete the full service in FC).