Did I do something wrong? Asking for a 2nd drink in C+.
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2015
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Did I do something wrong? Asking for a 2nd drink in C+.
On one of my routine DCA-MSP-SJC flights last week, I got a Y to WU upgrade and after a long 2 weeks in DC sillyland, I decided to have a free drink. After the drink run, snack baskets, and trash pickup, I didn't see a FA come by C+ at all for almost two hours. I pushed the call button as I wanted to politely ask for a cup of water and a 2nd drink.
Ms. Snooty comes up and asks, and I quote, "What's the emergency?" There was no fasten-seat belt sign on. No restrictions on moving about the cabin. I could think of no reason I had done something inappropriate here. I replied "I'm sorry, it's not an emergency, I was just wondering if I can get a water and a Sky Breeze". She made a face, turned around, and literally 10 minutes later came back with my drink. (I could see her standing around and chatting for most of that time in the F galley with her colleagues.)
She was less than friendly/helpful, but be that as it may, there've always been rude FAs over the years on all airlines, and I expect it once in a while. I'm just trying to figure out if I'm missing something. Are 2nd drinks not allowed in C+? Did I ask for something at an inappropriate time?
The only reason I ask is that I've had a couple other run-ins in recent weeks that left me curious. In one case I merely asked a FA who didn't appear at all busy if she wouldn't mind taking my trash so it could be thrown out. This was mid-flight and no service carts were going up or down the aisles, and she said I'd have to wait until the trash bag is taken through the cabin. In a similar situation, I asked a FA in the very back if she'd mind dumping a small bag of trash from my food container in the terminal area. I even brought the bag back to her with the request, and was told no, I'd have to wait until the FAs did a garbage run mid-flight.
Really? Am I missing some unwritten rule passengers are supposed to fly by? Anything I've done wrong here?
Ms. Snooty comes up and asks, and I quote, "What's the emergency?" There was no fasten-seat belt sign on. No restrictions on moving about the cabin. I could think of no reason I had done something inappropriate here. I replied "I'm sorry, it's not an emergency, I was just wondering if I can get a water and a Sky Breeze". She made a face, turned around, and literally 10 minutes later came back with my drink. (I could see her standing around and chatting for most of that time in the F galley with her colleagues.)
She was less than friendly/helpful, but be that as it may, there've always been rude FAs over the years on all airlines, and I expect it once in a while. I'm just trying to figure out if I'm missing something. Are 2nd drinks not allowed in C+? Did I ask for something at an inappropriate time?
The only reason I ask is that I've had a couple other run-ins in recent weeks that left me curious. In one case I merely asked a FA who didn't appear at all busy if she wouldn't mind taking my trash so it could be thrown out. This was mid-flight and no service carts were going up or down the aisles, and she said I'd have to wait until the trash bag is taken through the cabin. In a similar situation, I asked a FA in the very back if she'd mind dumping a small bag of trash from my food container in the terminal area. I even brought the bag back to her with the request, and was told no, I'd have to wait until the FAs did a garbage run mid-flight.
Really? Am I missing some unwritten rule passengers are supposed to fly by? Anything I've done wrong here?
#2
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
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Posts: 6,712
On one of my routine DCA-MSP-SJC flights last week, I got a Y to WU upgrade and after a long 2 weeks in DC sillyland, I decided to have a free drink. After the drink run, snack baskets, and trash pickup, I didn't see a FA come by C+ at all for almost two hours. I pushed the call button as I wanted to politely ask for a cup of water and a 2nd drink.
Ms. Snooty comes up and asks, and I quote, "What's the emergency?" There was no fasten-seat belt sign on. No restrictions on moving about the cabin. I could think of no reason I had done something inappropriate here. I replied "I'm sorry, it's not an emergency, I was just wondering if I can get a water and a Sky Breeze". She made a face, turned around, and literally 10 minutes later came back with my drink. (I could see her standing around and chatting for most of that time in the F galley with her colleagues.)
She was less than friendly/helpful, but be that as it may, there've always been rude FAs over the years on all airlines, and I expect it once in a while. I'm just trying to figure out if I'm missing something. Are 2nd drinks not allowed in C+? Did I ask for something at an inappropriate time?
The only reason I ask is that I've had a couple other run-ins in recent weeks that left me curious. In one case I merely asked a FA who didn't appear at all busy if she wouldn't mind taking my trash so it could be thrown out. This was mid-flight and no service carts were going up or down the aisles, and she said I'd have to wait until the trash bag is taken through the cabin. In a similar situation, I asked a FA in the very back if she'd mind dumping a small bag of trash from my food container in the terminal area. I even brought the bag back to her with the request, and was told no, I'd have to wait until the FAs did a garbage run mid-flight.
Really? Am I missing some unwritten rule passengers are supposed to fly by? Anything I've done wrong here?
Ms. Snooty comes up and asks, and I quote, "What's the emergency?" There was no fasten-seat belt sign on. No restrictions on moving about the cabin. I could think of no reason I had done something inappropriate here. I replied "I'm sorry, it's not an emergency, I was just wondering if I can get a water and a Sky Breeze". She made a face, turned around, and literally 10 minutes later came back with my drink. (I could see her standing around and chatting for most of that time in the F galley with her colleagues.)
She was less than friendly/helpful, but be that as it may, there've always been rude FAs over the years on all airlines, and I expect it once in a while. I'm just trying to figure out if I'm missing something. Are 2nd drinks not allowed in C+? Did I ask for something at an inappropriate time?
The only reason I ask is that I've had a couple other run-ins in recent weeks that left me curious. In one case I merely asked a FA who didn't appear at all busy if she wouldn't mind taking my trash so it could be thrown out. This was mid-flight and no service carts were going up or down the aisles, and she said I'd have to wait until the trash bag is taken through the cabin. In a similar situation, I asked a FA in the very back if she'd mind dumping a small bag of trash from my food container in the terminal area. I even brought the bag back to her with the request, and was told no, I'd have to wait until the FAs did a garbage run mid-flight.
Really? Am I missing some unwritten rule passengers are supposed to fly by? Anything I've done wrong here?
#3
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: New York, western US
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Posts: 4,246
While there are good FAs, DL's FAs, which used to be the best part of DL, are increasingly as you describe.
And for the record, I have heard pax in C+ complain when a FA didn't come around for a few hours, and I specifically heard from her (the FA) "if you want anything, ring the call button. That's how it works in these (Comfort +) seats."
And for the record, I have heard pax in C+ complain when a FA didn't come around for a few hours, and I specifically heard from her (the FA) "if you want anything, ring the call button. That's how it works in these (Comfort +) seats."
#4
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DL should take note here, because poor service is going to make pax who purchased C+ to see what its like not want to spend the money again.
#5
Join Date: May 2015
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DL probably figures that most of their passengers fly once a year at most, so they can sell a crappy product and not worry about the fallout of repeat customers not buying up in the future. The other primary group of DL flyers are elites who get to select seats for free anyway, so DL really isn't losing much in the end.
#6
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If I can conveniently get up, I'll take trash to the bin in the galley myself. I do the same for drinks and snacks, although officially FAs are supposed to serve alcoholic beverages only when you're seated in your own seat. I have had FAs who weren't happy that I refilled my own wine glass (at a time of no turbulence) in FC/BE/D1.
#7
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+1 on this is a perfectly normal request, and perfectly normal use of the call button... you got a bad FA.
But as this is the DL forum, I'm sure someone will be along shortly to call you an alcoholic for wanting a second drink, and find a way to make the whole thing your problem.
But as this is the DL forum, I'm sure someone will be along shortly to call you an alcoholic for wanting a second drink, and find a way to make the whole thing your problem.
#8
Join Date: Apr 2005
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#9
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Agree. But they only have a chance of doing so if pax like OP submit feedback directly to DL. They may be watching FT forums to close loopholes we find, but they certainly aren't going to track anecdotes like this.
#10
Join Date: Jan 2010
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While there are good FAs, DL's FAs, which used to be the best part of DL, are increasingly as you describe.
And for the record, I have heard pax in C+ complain when a FA didn't come around for a few hours, and I specifically heard from her (the FA) "if you want anything, ring the call button. That's how it works in these (Comfort +) seats."
And for the record, I have heard pax in C+ complain when a FA didn't come around for a few hours, and I specifically heard from her (the FA) "if you want anything, ring the call button. That's how it works in these (Comfort +) seats."
#11
Join Date: Apr 2016
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My flights are usually 2 hours or less so the cart makes 1 pass.....I've been requesting 2 drinks. So far, every FA has been OK with this. Hope I didn't just jinx myself. Guess I'll find out in a few hours.
#12
formerly Mdanner423
Join Date: Dec 2006
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I think that over time the use of the call button has gone from one of service request to reporting an emergency or something important when the seatbelt sign is on. I don't see many people using it for drink/food requests anymore.
Not a written rule, just one of those society things. FAs in general have become more respected as being there for flight safety versus drink/meal service post 9/11 in my opinion, although inarguably 90+ % of their job duties is drink/food service.
Not a written rule, just one of those society things. FAs in general have become more respected as being there for flight safety versus drink/meal service post 9/11 in my opinion, although inarguably 90+ % of their job duties is drink/food service.
#13
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Did I do something wrong? Asking for a 2nd drink in C+
Yes!
Whadda'u think? It was a "drink emergency", or something - - ringing the emergency call button?!?
Yes!
Whadda'u think? It was a "drink emergency", or something - - ringing the emergency call button?!?
#14
Join Date: Feb 2013
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Send Delta some feedback - maybe along the lines of:
Hello. I am not looking for miles or anything in response to this. When I call Delta I am asked a one question survey - would I hire the person who just helped me? I think that is a great litmus test and I have noticed that the phone service is improving as a result.
I had an odd experience with a FA and thought to myself how I would never allow that person to be my employee. I thought I'd pass that information along to you. Anyone can have an off day and likely I'll never see that particular FA again. But I thought you should know so that you can distinguish your employees having an off day from the ones who seemingly would rather seek other opportunities.
Hello. I am not looking for miles or anything in response to this. When I call Delta I am asked a one question survey - would I hire the person who just helped me? I think that is a great litmus test and I have noticed that the phone service is improving as a result.
I had an odd experience with a FA and thought to myself how I would never allow that person to be my employee. I thought I'd pass that information along to you. Anyone can have an off day and likely I'll never see that particular FA again. But I thought you should know so that you can distinguish your employees having an off day from the ones who seemingly would rather seek other opportunities.
#15
Join Date: Aug 2015
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I've never had an issue just walking up and politely asking a FA to give me another beer or drink. I usually use it as a chance to converse and stretch my legs.