Originally Posted by jumbojet19920711 (Post 20361167)

Perhaps a solution to the problem of other pax complaining that they aren't getting water bottles would be to place the bottles in the seatback pockets of eligible pax (DM/GO) prior to boarding?

Originally Posted by QRC3288 (Post 20361040)

...this is inaccurate in HK, unfortunately. What you're referring to is in the US only. All US-bound flights from HK have an additional screening at the gate, and water bottles (if discovered) will be confiscated, regardless of where you bought them.

Originally Posted by IncyWincy (Post 20361177)

3. I personally always refuse the bottles, so placing them for everyone leads to waste.

Originally Posted by QRC3288 (Post 20360468)

This water thing led to one of my most embarrassing moments ever on a flight - happened recently. I was returning from China on KA (Y class) and the section FA gave me a water bottle, presumably because I'm DM.

Originally Posted by percysmith (Post 20361285)

You can choose not to open the bottle.

I don't see it that much as waste cos CX is trying to cut back on crew members...certainly fewer requests for cup of water will be a saving.

Originally Posted by IncyWincy (Post 20361311)

Wonder if they do that? I suppose there is the additional risk that it may not be readilly obvious (to some) whether a bottle has been opened but not consumed.

Originally Posted by jumbojet19920711 (Post 20361167)

Perhaps a solution to the problem of other pax complaining that they aren't getting water bottles would be to place the bottles in the seatback pockets of eligible pax (DM/GO) prior to boarding?

Originally Posted by percysmith (Post 20361280)

I don't remember whether my recollection is incorrect, but I remember on the first -->Aus flights with the LAG rule, bottled water was provided to each and every passenger, pre-included in the seat pocket. They disappeared the next time I went.

If CX wants more premium pax like my parents and less non-BIS miles-flyer no-loyalty customers like me they really should give a serious thought about the bottled water. Think my parents did complain when the water was pulled on the next Aus flight.

Originally Posted by QRC3288 (Post 20360468)

Anecdotally, I know this water bottle issue comes up all the time on CX. I've been told by a few FAs that it is one of the most common issues on board - pax seated near DMs (oftentimes it is GOs and SLs who were not offered water) get angry because they didn't get one. The usual strategy by the FAs is just to lie and say they ran out of water bottles. It sounds like as policy, DMs are supposed to be greeted and get water on long-haul flights. It is up to the discretion of the ISM and managers whether or not to do this for GOs or lower. I suspect the inconsistency probably doesn't help CX.

Originally Posted by percysmith (Post 20361302)

Kekeke...just had a thought cross my mind. CX can find a supplier even cheaper than Bonaqua - possibly the same Mainland factory who does Sands Macau water that punters get on arrival - and make their own Sands water. They can customise the bottle label like Sands "Marco Polo Diamond Pax only" to highlight how prestigious you are (for good measure add '馬可孛羅會鑽石卡會員專用/马可孛罗会钻石卡会员专用" in size 48 font)

Originally Posted by QRC3288 (Post 20360468)

This water thing led to one of my most embarrassing moments ever on a flight - happened recently. I was returning from China on KA (Y class) and the section FA gave me a water bottle, presumably because I'm DM. Two Taiwanese pax across the aisle called the FA back, complained in Mandarin about me only being offered water, and implied it was because I am Caucasian and everyone else in our section was not. They keep going on and on and the FA - some young HK girl - apologized a lot in HK-accented Mandarin (which seemed to make them even more agitated), explained I was an elite, and got the ISM. The ISM came over and apologized some more and brought them water. Very, very awkward even thinking about it. They didn't bother saying anything to me in English, I assume they figured I didn't understand what they were complaining about, of which I understood every word. Then they asked for comment cards, where they complained about bad service (I found this out because they handed the card to the young FA unsealed, and she read it before submitting it. We talked in the galley and I wrote her a positive comment card, hoping it would negate their completely baseless complaints).

I talked to the ISM later, she said they were non-status pax. I guess they were very sensitive to this issue but they got it completely wrong. One of the most awkward moments I have ever encountered.

Anecdotally, I know this water bottle issue comes up all the time on CX. I've been told by a few FAs that it is one of the most common issues on board - pax seated near DMs (oftentimes it is GOs and SLs who were not offered water) get angry because they didn't get one. The usual strategy by the FAs is just to lie and say they ran out of water bottles. It sounds like as policy, DMs are supposed to be greeted and get water on long-haul flights. It is up to the discretion of the ISM and managers whether or not to do this for GOs or lower. I suspect the inconsistency probably doesn't help CX.

Originally Posted by Sohoboy (Post 20361872)

Or may be CX can spend a few more cents to pack that in a gift box so people around would understand that's a perk for premium guests. A win win solution ^

Originally Posted by CrazyJ82 (Post 20361923)

But other pax will always misinterpret it. Part of the problem is that everyone expects total equality, which isn't reasonable or realistic. In my early flying days before I had learned about status, FF programs and so on, whenever I saw other pax getting special treatment in flight I assumed there was probably a reason for it -- like service recovery -- and didn't get bent out of shape if I didn't get the same treatment.