PDBs Coming Back? (anecdotes, experiences)
Apr 5, 2022, 3:24 pm
#213
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
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I think that the title of the thread is misleading. PDBs coming back implies that they were there in the first place. They were not. This service was honoured in the breach rather than the observance. Not doing it came from a refusal to do a service for which they were not paid. Apparently American pays its Flight Attendants when the wheels are up and not before. Please correct me if I am wrong. No one is the Lead FA who has authority.
Thus one is left with crew who do as they please, when they please, and if they please. Many AA crew are excellent and are an asset to the airline. Others clearly hold their company and their passengers in utter contempt. I’ve encountered this. American is not alone in this but it is punching well above the line. I have watched in wonder at crew who look as though their Significant Others had thrown their uniform at them, slouching around in crocs with hair fit for a Halloween Ball. No one cares, and American care least of all. They pay lip service and do nothing. Until the day that the Flight Attendants are told that this is part of the pre-flight service and that this will be performed in each and every flight unless serious contraints such as very late boarding and immediate departure as confirmed by the Gate Agents; this will be never ending. What on earth is to stop them coming and taking drink orders for immediate service after take off explain that time precluded doing a service on the ground? This is not rocket science, it’s called intelligent service. You get the passengers in your side and you can do what you like after that.
Anyhow, I’m not in charge of Inflight Service at AA, and it is clear that whoever is has never done the job in her/his life. I’ll be over in the US before too long and I’ll post here if you don’t mind.
Thus one is left with crew who do as they please, when they please, and if they please. Many AA crew are excellent and are an asset to the airline. Others clearly hold their company and their passengers in utter contempt. I’ve encountered this. American is not alone in this but it is punching well above the line. I have watched in wonder at crew who look as though their Significant Others had thrown their uniform at them, slouching around in crocs with hair fit for a Halloween Ball. No one cares, and American care least of all. They pay lip service and do nothing. Until the day that the Flight Attendants are told that this is part of the pre-flight service and that this will be performed in each and every flight unless serious contraints such as very late boarding and immediate departure as confirmed by the Gate Agents; this will be never ending. What on earth is to stop them coming and taking drink orders for immediate service after take off explain that time precluded doing a service on the ground? This is not rocket science, it’s called intelligent service. You get the passengers in your side and you can do what you like after that.
Anyhow, I’m not in charge of Inflight Service at AA, and it is clear that whoever is has never done the job in her/his life. I’ll be over in the US before too long and I’ll post here if you don’t mind.
Apr 5, 2022, 3:35 pm
#214
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 213
Why are we still accepting no pre-flight beverage in Business class?
Why are we still accepting no pre-flight beverage in Business class?
Why are more people not outraged at this?
Did not get 2 weeks ago, PHL to MIA, or MIA to PHL. even asked for a bottle of Water from MIA to PHL because there was NOTHING open in the terminal at 5am. Not even one vending machine to get water from. Zip nada. FA said he would get me water but never did until he started serving the meals. Extremely disappointed.
Why are more people not outraged at this?
Did not get 2 weeks ago, PHL to MIA, or MIA to PHL. even asked for a bottle of Water from MIA to PHL because there was NOTHING open in the terminal at 5am. Not even one vending machine to get water from. Zip nada. FA said he would get me water but never did until he started serving the meals. Extremely disappointed.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 5, 2022 at 4:50 pm Reason: merged consecutive posts by same member
Apr 5, 2022, 3:55 pm
#215
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Virtuoso Travel Agent, Commercial Pilot
Posts: 2,117
Did not get 2 weeks ago, PHL to MIA, or MIA to PHL. even asked for a bottle of Water from MIA to PHL because there was NOTHING open in the terminal at 5am. Not even one vending machine to get water from. Zip nada. FA said he would get me water but never did until he started serving the meals. Extremely disappointed.
fwiw, PDB has been offered on all of my most recent 3 United flights.
Apr 5, 2022, 4:14 pm
#216
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Never understood the obsession with PDB. I would far rather have something better than dog food to eat on my flight, and far rather have proper service generally, than some tap water in a plastic glass (and then a lecture about eco skies….)
Apr 5, 2022, 4:19 pm
#217
Join Date: Oct 2009
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Apr 5, 2022, 7:23 pm
#218
Moderator: United Airlines
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Apr 5, 2022, 8:07 pm
#219
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Also, they only stock like 3 single malts. If they're gone before departure, then what do I do
Apr 5, 2022, 9:25 pm
#221
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,550
I sometimes ask for water or orange juice and tell them I have to take medication; it's especially credible on a red-eye. And in that case, almost always true.
Apr 6, 2022, 12:58 am
#224
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Roswell, GA
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Posts: 3,191
To answer the op,s question … in the current times , we are at the mercy of the airlines and more so at the mercy of the FA! S … stay quiet .. expect nothing and you will not be disappointed
Last edited by Microwave; Apr 6, 2022 at 4:05 am Reason: Fixed typo
Apr 6, 2022, 5:47 am
#225
Join Date: Feb 2022
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 944
Because AA's management doesn't consider it a priority and won't push back on the union that doesn't want flight attendants to do it for "safety reasons." So only the better flight attendants that actually care about their job and their passengers do it.
Furthermore, remember particularly for AA flying is no longer their "core business." Running a credit card mill is. AA is more focused on hawking credit cards than the passenger experience, even in the premium cabin.
Furthermore, remember particularly for AA flying is no longer their "core business." Running a credit card mill is. AA is more focused on hawking credit cards than the passenger experience, even in the premium cabin.