FA Generosity
Mar 9, 2010 | 7:00 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: DM Delta, PE Lifetime Marriott Rewards
Posts: 10
FA Generosity
Clearly, I am a lurker here, not much of a "poster", but I thought this was worth sharing.
On a recent 757 flight from my home base of MCO to DTW, my upgraded seat of 2B had an inoperable tray-table, which would've made eating the in-flight dinner challenging, to say the least. Very fortunately, however rare, First Class was not full, so after a few minutes of anxious questions to the FA which was helping out with the pre-departure service of First Class, I asked her to ask the onboard Flight Leader if I could move to a different First Class seat, once the cabin door was closed. After I was accommodated and comfortable in my new seat, the Flight Leader presented me, along with the passenger of 2A (the passenger beside the inoperable tray-table), with a bottle of red wine each. In all my years of travelling, I've never experienced that level of "apology" for an inconvenience.
I'm curious to know if anyone else has experienced some similar FA generosity, or if this was truly a "diamond" in the ruff, (pardon the pun).
On a recent 757 flight from my home base of MCO to DTW, my upgraded seat of 2B had an inoperable tray-table, which would've made eating the in-flight dinner challenging, to say the least. Very fortunately, however rare, First Class was not full, so after a few minutes of anxious questions to the FA which was helping out with the pre-departure service of First Class, I asked her to ask the onboard Flight Leader if I could move to a different First Class seat, once the cabin door was closed. After I was accommodated and comfortable in my new seat, the Flight Leader presented me, along with the passenger of 2A (the passenger beside the inoperable tray-table), with a bottle of red wine each. In all my years of travelling, I've never experienced that level of "apology" for an inconvenience.
I'm curious to know if anyone else has experienced some similar FA generosity, or if this was truly a "diamond" in the ruff, (pardon the pun).
Mar 9, 2010 | 7:10 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: DL:Diamond, United:1P, Continental: Plat, HH:Gold, SPG:Gold
Posts: 760
typically
Clearly, I am a lurker here, not much of a "poster", but I thought this was worth sharing.
On a recent 757 flight from my home base of MCO to DTW, my upgraded seat of 2B had an inoperable tray-table, which would've made eating the in-flight dinner challenging, to say the least. Very fortunately, however rare, First Class was not full, so after a few minutes of anxious questions to the FA which was helping out with the pre-departure service of First Class, I asked her to ask the onboard Flight Leader if I could move to a different First Class seat, once the cabin door was closed. After I was accommodated and comfortable in my new seat, the Flight Leader presented me, along with the passenger of 2A (the passenger beside the inoperable tray-table), with a bottle of red wine each. In all my years of travelling, I've never experienced that level of "apology" for an inconvenience.
I'm curious to know if anyone else has experienced some similar FA generosity, or if this was truly a "diamond" in the ruff, (pardon the pun).
On a recent 757 flight from my home base of MCO to DTW, my upgraded seat of 2B had an inoperable tray-table, which would've made eating the in-flight dinner challenging, to say the least. Very fortunately, however rare, First Class was not full, so after a few minutes of anxious questions to the FA which was helping out with the pre-departure service of First Class, I asked her to ask the onboard Flight Leader if I could move to a different First Class seat, once the cabin door was closed. After I was accommodated and comfortable in my new seat, the Flight Leader presented me, along with the passenger of 2A (the passenger beside the inoperable tray-table), with a bottle of red wine each. In all my years of travelling, I've never experienced that level of "apology" for an inconvenience.
I'm curious to know if anyone else has experienced some similar FA generosity, or if this was truly a "diamond" in the ruff, (pardon the pun).
Mar 9, 2010 | 8:48 pm
#3
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,407
A number of years ago, 2 of us were flying on a (NW) USA/AMS flight, and one of the VERY senior FA's was extremely rude with the way she served the meals (Y). Instead of a pleasant greeting or just even a "Chicken or Beef?" question, it was a shriek - EXCUSE ME!! - PLOP! and the food tray dropped from several inches in the air - to EVERYBODY!! I mentioned it it to a lead FA and certainly not expecting anything, the 3 of us in the row were given cologne from the duty free cart!
I believe the FA was one of those who'd been doing the same job soooo long, that she had forgotten that we are people in our seats and not robots.
I believe the FA was one of those who'd been doing the same job soooo long, that she had forgotten that we are people in our seats and not robots.
Mar 9, 2010 | 9:07 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2001
Programs: DL DM/MM - Bad upgrade luck. "...Diamond in the back... Diggin the scene with a gangsta lean..."
Posts: 108
...with a bottle of red wine each...
As a (damn near) million miler, it happened to me once. but it was special. It was on a red-eye when I couldn't sleep, and she, myself, and my girlfriend spent a lot of time talking, and we had a lot in common.
My girlfriend is a die-hard WN flier, but I gifted her GM status this year and have taken her along on some award F tickets this year, and she is really starting to see the difference. The gift of a decent $10 bottle of wine also helped a lot.
It is a nice gesture that doesn't cost them much. I'm glad they can do it within moderate discretion.
As a (damn near) million miler, it happened to me once. but it was special. It was on a red-eye when I couldn't sleep, and she, myself, and my girlfriend spent a lot of time talking, and we had a lot in common.
My girlfriend is a die-hard WN flier, but I gifted her GM status this year and have taken her along on some award F tickets this year, and she is really starting to see the difference. The gift of a decent $10 bottle of wine also helped a lot.
It is a nice gesture that doesn't cost them much. I'm glad they can do it within moderate discretion.
Mar 9, 2010 | 9:59 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DCA / WAS
Programs: DL 2+ million/PM, YX, Marriott Plt, *wood gold, HHonors, CO Plt, UA, AA EXP, WN, AGR
Posts: 9,386
Used to happen to me on occasion - FA would gift a bottle of wine, a tin of caviar, something on that order when returning to "home" on a flight. ALways very discreet, and always very appreciated. (In those days, I was sometimes the only PM - or Royal Medallion - in the cabin).
That went away a number of years ago (and would be outright prohibited today at places like CVG and ATL where you have to clear TSA to exit the airport from an international flight).
Glad to hear that they have the discretion to do it again. Beats resolving complaints post-flight.
That went away a number of years ago (and would be outright prohibited today at places like CVG and ATL where you have to clear TSA to exit the airport from an international flight).
Glad to hear that they have the discretion to do it again. Beats resolving complaints post-flight.
Mar 9, 2010 | 11:42 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 83
...with a bottle of red wine each...
As a (damn near) million miler, it happened to me once. but it was special. It was on a red-eye when I couldn't sleep, and she, myself, and my girlfriend spent a lot of time talking, and we had a lot in common.
My girlfriend is a die-hard WN flier, but I gifted her GM status this year and have taken her along on some award F tickets this year, and she is really starting to see the difference. The gift of a decent $10 bottle of wine also helped a lot.
It is a nice gesture that doesn't cost them much. I'm glad they can do it within moderate discretion.
As a (damn near) million miler, it happened to me once. but it was special. It was on a red-eye when I couldn't sleep, and she, myself, and my girlfriend spent a lot of time talking, and we had a lot in common.
My girlfriend is a die-hard WN flier, but I gifted her GM status this year and have taken her along on some award F tickets this year, and she is really starting to see the difference. The gift of a decent $10 bottle of wine also helped a lot.
It is a nice gesture that doesn't cost them much. I'm glad they can do it within moderate discretion.
Mar 10, 2010 | 9:36 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,679
I do know what our resident purser on FT indicated that they were told to gift wine on international because they ended up throwing them in many cases because of import restrictions.
Mar 10, 2010 | 12:45 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Wherever the airlines take me!
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat, DL 0.8MM
Posts: 212
I once gave my F boarding pass to a service member in a wheelchair... I'm guessing he said something to the FAs or maybe the GA noticed and said something because when we landed they came back to coach and gave me a bottle of red...