They need to stop advertising a perk that can't consistently deliver.

Yesterday ord-tpa no pdb. Pretty much every time an inbound is late you can forget getting a PDB as they tell you "we need to get this flight out" riff raff.

10/25 JFK-SFO on AA 177 in Flagship First on $1,600 cash ticket. No PDB despite having completed boarding early and late departure due to paperwork. FA never made it through the cabin to greet passengers until we were taxiing for takeoff. Service while airborne was that mix of somewhat friendly and completely lazy that only AA seems capable of pulling off. I've had this experience in J before, but it's always been much better in F. By far the worst F cabin service I've had in 15 years flying AA.

PHX-GJT - Skywest E175 - First of all, didn't know Skywest flew E175's for AA, so this was a pleasant surprise. The flight attendant on this flight was INCREDIBLE. Literally on-par with, if not better than service from the best premium carriers in the world. As I stepped onto the plane, before getting to my seat, the FA offered a PDB of choice. Service was constant throughout the short flight, even right up until the "flight attendants prepare for landing message." I've had some of the worst on Skywest flights, but this FA was one of the BEST!

AA 1958 CMH -> PHX - no PDB.

Friday PHX/MIA FA A321neo F FA swan against the masses to get PDBs done, but barely. Other FA didn't help and paxs in row one for whatever reason took over 5 minutes to decide.

MEX-MIA - nothing
MIA-DCA - full PDB from motivated DCA-based crew

I had the same experience today but in the reverse direction (DCA - MIA), wonder if it was the same crew? Tbh I don't really care about PDBs too much, but the level of service was outstanding!

25 October - ORD to MCO - full PDB, friendly and outstanding crew

PDB - sometimes
 

JFK-SFO First PDB offered. On return SFO-JFK business we were handed bottle of water and amenity kit.

I find on flights where we board from middle door there is a greater chance of receiving a PDB since you don't have all the people in economy coming down the aisle. It's difficult for the FA to take an order for a PDB and bring it to you when there's a line of people in the aisle waiting to get to their seat. The other thing I've noticed is when they bring a tray of PDB it's just water or juice. It used to be water, juice and sparkling wine.

The PDB is nice, but if I don't get one it's not the end of the world. I care more about the service I get during the flight.

doubles
 

Last week CLT-SRQ we had PDB but was denied a double and informed by the senior FA (who was very pleasant and nice) that doubles are not allowed pre departure. Once airborne, no problem. First time ever hearing this. Is it actual policy?

I’ve never requested a double for a PDB in the past, however, I do recall at least one flight from PHL-LAS 4 years ago or so where I was proactively brought a double by the F/A. I’ve also been served more than one PDB on occasion (during delays mainly), so not sure why there would be a “policy” of no doubles on the ground…

If there is an actual policy, it makes sense in theory. PDBs, by necessity, are consumed rather hastily, so I’d imagine some FAs may be wary about passengers consuming that volume of alcohol in a 15 minute period prior to flight (when the effects of alcohol are more pronounced).

I've been told "no doubles at all" which is wrong but "no doubles on the ground, fine in the air" is a unique permutation (though I agree that it sort of would make sense, still tough to believe it's actually policy though).

Four flights on AA this weekend

BNA - CLT: 737 in F. PDB offered and declined. Had one beer and snack basket. Offered 2nd beer. Crew was standoffish but fine. Its a 1 hour flight
CLT - MHT: CRJ 900 in F. PDB offered and declined. Had a whiskey and soda. She made it a double. Snack Basket. Asked if I wanted another drink, I declined, she asked if I was sure. Very nice, proactive. 2.5 hour flight.
MHT - CLT: CRJ 900 in F. PDB offered and I asked for water. Had a beer and snack basket. Offered 2nd beer. Offered water again. Nice and personable FA. 2.5 hour flight.
CLT - BNA: 737 in F. PDB Offered and I got water. Offered 2nd PDB, declined. Had a beer but only pretzels. Offered 2nd beer. Declined. FA was clone of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Just a pleasure to be around. 1 hour flight.

So, 100% PDB. Everything was on time. Service grade B on 2 flights, A on two flights.

I haven't flown AA in a while so while I would like to avoid CLT connections as much as possible, I was pleasantly surprised by the service and interactions.