enviroian

Exactly. Absolutely no reason for the pilot to come on the horn after landing. That's why I usually sigh when the pilot comes on the horn after take off in situation where we took off early and he's all excited to tell us that. Of course I know that 99.99% chance our gate will be occupied upon arrival.

ATLflyer2017

I thought it was only me!
Every time I fly AA I have at least a 2 hr connection and it ends up being about 30-45 minutes because we land "early" and wait for a gate or take laps around O'Hare. Such a bummer.

ty97

Agreed, FAs should be professional. The focus on smiling by the OP is something though.

Antarius

Youd prefer silence as the plane stops on the taxiway and waits?

enviroian

You missed my point. No captain announcement means no gate delay so when he does come on it's only bad news.

formeraa

To the OP, I would write a short note to AA Customer Service with a description of said FA. Their supervisor will be notified and it will be noted in their HR file.

That said, if you have dietary restrictions, then I would suggest ordering a special meal. At least, you would have a decent shot at getting what you ordered...just a thought.

gateH15

Not sure if it changed or not. I overheard two FAs talking about AA90 and long layover

PTahCha

Given the situation, I'm not sure any amount of apology would make OP happy. There is only 1 option left, which is not acceptable by OP due to dietary restrictions or whatever reason. There are no other complimentary meals left. This is how it's going to play out based on what OP was complaining about:

FA, smiling: I'm sorry, I only have one choice left. It's the frozen microwave meal of pasta with unexplained meat. [hands over tray]
OP: But I can't eat this. I have an aversion to unexplained meat.
FA, smiling: I apologize about your aversion to unexplained meat.
OP: But I can't eat this.
FA, smiling: I apologize. Would you like me to take it away?
OP: No.
FA, smiling: I'm sorry that you would not like me to take it away. Have a good day and enjoy your flight. Because at American, we are going for great. [To another passenger] I'm sorry, I only have one choice left....
<redacted>

CoMooter

Or...just bring your own food and/or eat before the flight and then get all the questions from the FA’s on why I am not eating...

1) “Would you just like the tray with the salad?” A: “No”
2) “Do you hate my cooking?” A: “Yes - but don’t take it personally”
3) “You did not eat dinner, the mid-flight or now breakfast are you OK?” A: “Quite, thanks for asking though”
4) “You’ve been before haven’t you”? A: “Far, far too many times over the last quarter century, I already know the drill”

#4 is my favorite to get...

MiamiAirport Formerly NY George

Not to pile on the OP but of all of that could go wrong with a flight a FA not smiling and not having my desired meal, particularly the subpar McDonalds food served In Y would be way down my list. To be truthful I get these surveys from AA every couple months. It always asked me did the FA/GA/AC staff smile at me/make eye contact. I never remember so I say yes.

You are always going to get more personal attention in a premium cabin than Y because of design and the fact that the F FA has far fewer paxs to look after. As I said before a sign of the times when I'm in Y a FA could walk down the aisle with horns growing out of their head and I think most of the paxs so engrossed in their phone wouldn't even notice.

Finally writing to AA will get exactly one result. A form letter.

Antarius

Pretty much. I'm a vegetarian, and every now and again, the veggie option is popular and I miss out.

Solutions
1. Preorder Special meal
2. Preorder the veggie option
3. Bring my own food
4. Pick around the other option.

If thats the worst thing that happens on the flight, meh.

gateH15

Also if you preorder special mean you will be served first so gives you extra time to sleep or do some work

enpremiere

5. Employ the 5th grade battle plan: Offer to trade with someone who has a more appetizing option with a less discerning palette, preferably a passenger in the J or F cabin.

Custardthecat

Thank you for this. I did write to AA. Their response was underwhelming. They stated in their initial response that they do not load meals in Y for everybody to have choice. I was aware of this but they ran out of choice well before my seat row. They also ignored my comments on the attitude of the FA. Interestingly, they did not suggest pre-ordering meals.

If they ask you then presumably they expect something in that vein from their FAs. It would appear you have a poor view of Y pax. Perhaps this is indicative and is part of the issue. If you expect to be treated badly etc etc. I don't agree that 'most of the [Y] pax are as unobservant as you suggest. That's an assumption. A dangerous one at that.

I guess if you arrive on one flight where the cabin crew were energetic, smiling and made frequent passes through the cabin then that experience will leave you content. If another carriers crew on the same route are surly, unsmiling, rude and make limited passes through the cabin and seem intent on dimming it as quick as possible then that will of course leave an impression of the second carrier that is less favourable. There is something to be said for energetic crew who aren't afraid of smiling and giving the impression they care. If you're idea of 'professionalism' in an FA is pushing out the service as quick as possible in an automaton condescending fashion then AA is the carrier for you. The BA mixed Fleet crew were superb by comparison. As I said before, I have no connection with BA, just highlighting the good and the bad between the two. I've been discouraged by some of the more sarcastic comments but thank you to those who appeared to support. Have a good day all of you. I'm out.

MiamiAirport Formerly NY George

No that's just the honest state of Y service. Management keeps shoving more Y seats into a/c and offering fares so that those a/c are filled to the rim. Clearly despite their bs pr campaigns the Y pax isn't very high on their list of priorities. If you want a better Y experience at least in the US fly Southwest. I fly AA not only because I'm out of a hub but as a PP I can get MCE and some upgrades along the way. If I didn't have status I'd take the cheapest fare, pay for a seat selection and adjust by expectations.

Doug Parker couldn't give a rat's behind the FA threw attitude at you.