Thanks for reminding me that I am over 50!

The role of the purser was originally designed to be a liaison between the different departments for a successful launch of the flight. They have the responsibility, but no authority, AA has now allowed anybody to fill the role, with no experience. The pursers that have gone to extra training, and yearly requirements, are not too happy about this.

Generally, when FAs bid for trips, they are awarded as mentioned in several posts above. For IPD, NIPD and Transcons, they will try to award those flights with Pursers...in Seniority order as well. At American, longer the flight, it's generally requested by the more Senior crews, while the shorter flights are awarded to the more junior. Trips drop and trade at certain times, so sometimes a more junior purser will be awarded a 'senior' trip.

Domestically, on a wide-bodied a/c, these are not filled with pursers. (yes, those with the qualifications can bid/hold them...but it's not a 'Purser' position...just the #1/Lead FA.) I wish that AA would keep the wide body #1/Lead position to a Purser position as pax and flight deck often expect it.

When IRROPS happen due to diversions & legalities, the airline has to fill positions with Reserves if they don't have enough time to allow regular FAs to bid last second 'open position' trips. These trips will often be given to those on reserve and you may even get a brand spank'n new-hire straight out of training.

The Purser does set the tone with the crew during their briefing, getting info from the pilots, discussing possible weather/turbulence, flying time, how to do the service, how many wheelchairs there are, any special requests, UMs, cargo documents, ensure Galley's have everything they need, deal with last minute pax issue's, defuse any situation that arises (whether between crew or pax), coordinate with maintenance with any in cabin situations while at the gate, work with the agents for an on-time departure, etc.

Boarding is the most stressful time for Pursers. So much is going on in the front galley dealing with FA calls, Pilots, Catering (ensure special meals have been loaded), Maintenance, passengers, paperwork for Customs, cargo documents, agents, taking meal preferences in B/C and defusing angry pax who don't get their 1st or 2nd choice because they didn't pre-order their meal. In flight, have to ensure the service runs smoothly, and also coordinate with the flight deck when to feed them or allow them their lav breaks. (Just like domestic, pax will always need to go to the lav when it's blocked for the flight deck)

Before landing, get any write-ups from galley's to inflight entertainment issues, wifi issues, seat issues and ensure the flight deck has them before landing so the write-ups can been looked into before the next flight. (this is often where if it's a more serious issue, they will defer the issue until they have more time while the plane is on the ground)

That's just a small list of items the Purser has to deal with. I love my job and it will often shine through to my crew ensuring a smooth and wonderful flight for everyone in all cabins.

This was exactly my experience a couple months ago doing LAX JFK in Flagship First. Whilst the young male flight attendant clearly had good intentions, he seemed to have been hired recently as he was beyond clueless (he kept going back to the J galley to ask the ladies there questions). Drink refills took forever, he forgot to bring the warm nuts and the bread basket, and overall, he acted extremely nervous. The two senior ladies working in J were horrified when they realized that the guy wasn't even done serving entrees beyond row 2 by the time J pax had their trays cleared. To their credit, these two lovely ladies offered to help him and service was much better then.