My last three flights I have had fantastic crews, each flight a tray with oj and water was quickly brought thru the cabin, in all cases it was like a 7 am flight. I asked for something different each time and was quickly accommodated with my beverage of choice. Two were mainline one eagle. In two cases the FA also wrote notes to all the FC passengers, delta I have yet to be offered my first PDB though there is the bottle of water on the seat when you board. In general from calling in to the gate agents to the fas I feel like american is making a concerted effort to improve customer service.

First, I'm not here to debate the consistency of the in-consistence of PDBs. There have been times where we are so late (from scheduled departure), and catering hasn't even been around, where I can't provide PDBs...not even water or OJ. When you're late, it's best to just board and go, then serve everything in the air.

Yes, Pre-Departure Beverages should be completed each flight. However, there are circumstances that may restrict receiving them as well as some restrictions according to local liquor laws or location specific alcohol restrictions
There was a message from the VP of Flight Service, when PDBs came 'back', that if a rushed boarding or late catering and if time allows, try to attempt a PDB with Water, OJ to quench the thirst before departure. It was even mentioned that he understood that there are times it's just not possible.

American Flagship Service & International Premium Destinations (AFS & IPD)
First Class & Business Class
Water, OJ, or Sparkling wine

Should be picked-up prior to aircraft movement

Domestic First
Beverage of Choice

If late catering, quick turn-around aircraft, an abbreviate PDB is allowed if time available...which means, at least Water & OJ
Should be picked-up before aircraft movement, and on few aircraft can be before take-off (PDBs stop at door closure, and picked up before aircraft movement)

Restrictions:
Connecticut - Alcohol may not be served while the aircraft is on the ground
Texas - Alcohol my not be served while aircraft is on the ground 0001-1200 on Sundays, or Monday-Saturday 0001-0700. (ok, I may at times forget this last one...oops)

For Non-International Premium Destination (NIPD)
Canada, Caribbean, Mexico and all NIPD destination including Northern Rim Latin America

FC/BC alcohol/liquor/beverage carts may be opened once customer boarding has begun on both US outbound and inbound for the purpose of serving non-alcholic beverages only if needed. (I get many odd looks when I asked what non-alcoholic beverages they'd like before departure...many don't realize we're suppose to only serve non-alcoholic beverages)

IPD
All International Flights to/from the U.S.
Carts containing alcohol aren't opened prior to 10,000ft
Carts containing alcohol must remain sealed at all times while aircraft is on the ground in the US and in all International Premium Destinations

(Champagne is boarded seperately for the purpose of PDBs)

For me, I will do a PDB once majority of my FC/BC pax are on board. I'll take as many orders as I can, then deliver them when I can. I will try to get those who come late if I can, sometimes I do miss them.

I get nasty looks from pax (generally those who are sitting in FC/BC for the first time) when I take their PDB away and it's still full....as they don't realize PDBs must be taken and thrown away before aircraft movement.

There are also laws about serving on the ground too. We can't just serve while sitting.....waiting for push-back or take-off. Only the Captain has the authority to let us serve beverages on the ground. (usually during extended tarmac delays)

If you ever want to know what beverages we have, as long as there is an Entertainment Card in the seatback, you will find the list of beverages in there, including alcohol.

Sitting on AA2110, BOS-LAX, in Flagship F. Full cabin, 5 of 10 were standby (presumably non-revs) who were just cleared into the 5 remaining seats prior to boarding. Boarding was 10+ minutes late but they still finished boarding by 8 minutes out, and they sure as heck pushed back on time. The F FA hung out in the galley, didn't greet anyone, no PDBs. Crew seems surly and combative even amongst each other, can't wait to see what passenger interactions are like!

ETA: Currently at 20,000 feet and climbing, the crew is ambulatory, and they're pitching the credit card full volume.

After the pitch, the FA came down the aisle with the CC apps. I stopped her, and for a split second she had hope that I was her mark. Instead, I said, "Hi, could I have a Woodford and Diet Dr. Pepper?" She could hardly react. She said, uh, the other flight attendant is doing that. (She was from J, the F FA was still hiding in the galley.) But after she walked the aisle, she came back to me and qw then had a nice 5-minute chat (while the F FA took preferences and so forth) about how short staffed they are and how I understand that, etc., to which she asked what I would have liked to see different. I said, the flights where there's no PDB still end up being great flights when a FA at least comes out and says something like "hey everyone, I'm so sorry we had a delay and I can't get you a drink right now, but I promise we'll get you taken care of just as soon as we're in the air"--and follows up with actually doing that, rather than, you know giving the credit card pitch first. I get y'all are short staffed, but saying something, anything at all rather than leading out with the pitch would have been better. She understood, thanked me for my loyalty, and we're gucci. We'll see how the rest of the flight goes.

I hope it's a one-day only offer, available exclusively on your flight!

BNA-LGA this morning on the E175. Offered a full PDB (plastic cups) from a phenomenal Republic crew.

7/9 AA 4818 ILM-DCA EMB-175: No PDB

7/16/22 AA1153 PHL-BOS: Immediate PDB once FC boarded.
First PDB on mainline since they've returned. Eagle has been practically automatic.

Going to edit this while we are taxiing: I can tell this FA is fantastic. Super friendly and attentive service. Already asked about drink orders once in the air. Very grateful to be flying with her this morning.

On AA 1224 (IAH-ORD) - full PDB offered. Overall great service with the right amount of being present and also not being around too much (all but 2 of us in the cabin were asleep for the first half of the flight)

I really think a lot of FAs don’t know they’re supposed to be doing PDBs. Even FAs who are as nice as can be and provide top notch service once in the air aren’t doing it. I’m like 1 for 10 in the last two weeks.

AA 2220 CLT IND 7/14: no PDB, even though Geoffrey the fantastic F FA was manning the cabin. Great flight in all other respects.

7/16/22 AA2255 BOS-PHL: Didn't have the highest of hopes given the inbound plane (and cabin crew) was over 2 hours late coming in from a very stormy CLT, but was pleasantly surprised to receive an open bar PDB service. Despite no beverage cart in Y due to (what I'd consider light) turbulence, F still received a second drink service and a pass of the snack basket--more than acceptable service for an evening hop lasting just 53 minutes.

my last flight from JFK-MIA was full PDB, but almost to a fault.. I asked for a prosecco, and was given the entire (mini) bottle which is about 1.5 regular glasses. Others asked for 'champagne' too but they eventually ran out before we were even in the air so some went without their choice. Once in the air, the FA gave doubles for all liquor drinks in the first round (without asking) which seems generous but different from years past when they would deliver mixed cocktails. I ordered a Gin & Tonic and was given two bottles of Gin, two cans of Tonic, and a separate lemon wedge in a plastic cup. When I gave one of the tonic cans back, the FA got annoyed because he already opened the can. I felt a bit bad, but I honestly didn't need two drinks when I ordered and it was a bit overwhelming to receive all that at once. Not complaining, but just noticing some differences in service, not to mention ongoing inconsistencies

Sounds like old school USAir/Piedmont FAs. Doubles were the norm for years.

AA 2220 Sunday July 17 IND - CLT open bar

7/22 AA 1897 RDU-CLT A-321: Water only. Someone asked for a Diet Coke and was told no
7/22 AA 503 CLT-TPA 737-800: Full PDB