Scolded by FA for using the call button.
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: BOS
Programs: Delta Platinum Medallion, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, Hertz President Circle
Posts: 51

Last week I flew ATL to BOS with a 7:30PM take off. After takeoff the crew came around with drinks and I ordered my usual, Jack and coke. I was sitting in the first row of Comfort+ so I was served first. About 30 minutes later I rang the call bell to get another drink. An FA showed up about 5 minutes later and said "No. We are still service the back of the plane. I'll bring you one after we finish in back." then added loudly, "AND DON'T TOUCH THAT BUTTON AGAIN" I never saw her again and never got my second drink. Was I in the wrong? has anything like this ever happened to you guys? I fly weekly on Delta and have never been treated with anything other than respect until now.

#2
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,510
Last week I flew ATL to BOS with a 7:30PM take off. After takeoff the crew came around with drinks and I ordered my usual, Jack and coke. I was sitting in the first row of Comfort+ so I was served first. About 30 minutes later I rang the call bell to get another drink. An FA showed up about 5 minutes later and said "No. We are still service the back of the plane. I'll bring you one after we finish in back." then added loudly, "AND DON'T TOUCH THAT BUTTON AGAIN" I never saw her again and never got my second drink. Was I in the wrong? has anything like this ever happened to you guys? I fly weekly on Delta and have never been treated with anything other than respect until now.

#3
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Georgia
Programs: DL MM & DM; Marriott, AmEx, Chase, Cap1
Posts: 904
Personally, I wouldn't use the call button unless it was important. However, if she spoke to you loudly AND IN ALL CAPS then that's definitely inappropriate.

#4
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: none
Posts: 1,653
Sounds a bit entitled to me to be expecting a refill before they are even done with the first service.
But after they’re done, call away. I’d love to see them “scolding” you (or worse) for not following the directions of a crew member.
But after they’re done, call away. I’d love to see them “scolding” you (or worse) for not following the directions of a crew member.

#5
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: ANC
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 1,456
The airline pilot in me can see how the FA would be annoyed (most hate serving, especially alcohol, and honestly have gotten quite lazy, even for premium passengers).
However The premium traveler in me feels you didn’t do anything wrong. Perhaps a quick glance to the rear of the plane to see if the carts were out and to wait for them to finish, but regardless the FA should not have reacted like that, and especially shouldn’t have told you not to use the button.
I would file a complaint.
However The premium traveler in me feels you didn’t do anything wrong. Perhaps a quick glance to the rear of the plane to see if the carts were out and to wait for them to finish, but regardless the FA should not have reacted like that, and especially shouldn’t have told you not to use the button.
I would file a complaint.

#6
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: Delta DM
Posts: 406
I've had a few unpleasant interactions with GAs and FAs in the past. Out of those handful, maybe one was worth filing a complaint. But I let it slide. In your case, I'd file a complaint. Why the hell are the call buttons there if they aren't to be touched? It's not like you pulled a fire alarm.

#7
Join Date: May 2002
Location: STL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, DL SkClub LT, Marr LT Plat, IHG Plat, HH Diam
Posts: 1,928
While I personally wouldn't have hit the call button during the initial cabin service I would 100% file a complaint if a FA speaks to me like I'm a 5 year old. The attitudes of many of these FA's need to be checked.

#8
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,583
Last week I flew ATL to BOS with a 7:30PM take off. After takeoff the crew came around with drinks and I ordered my usual, Jack and coke. I was sitting in the first row of Comfort+ so I was served first. About 30 minutes later I rang the call bell to get another drink. An FA showed up about 5 minutes later and said "No. We are still service the back of the plane. I'll bring you one after we finish in back." then added loudly, "AND DON'T TOUCH THAT BUTTON AGAIN" I never saw her again and never got my second drink. Was I in the wrong? has anything like this ever happened to you guys? I fly weekly on Delta and have never been treated with anything other than respect until now.

#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 27,987
Laziness is a disease. That tone and shouting at the customer is unacceptable. At the very least this flight attendant needs to be written up and at the very most, terminated. Make sure you file a complaint. I hope you got his name.

#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 32,879
The flight attendant was female, not male.

#11
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Utqiagvik (Barrow) Alaska and Ann Arbor, Michigan
Programs: Charter Member Delta Diamond Medallion, Lifetime AA Platinum, IHG Diamond, Hilton & Marriott Gold
Posts: 617
Last week I flew ATL to BOS with a 7:30PM take off. After takeoff the crew came around with drinks and I ordered my usual, Jack and coke. I was sitting in the first row of Comfort+ so I was served first. About 30 minutes later I rang the call bell to get another drink. An FA showed up about 5 minutes later and said "No. We are still service the back of the plane. I'll bring you one after we finish in back." then added loudly, "AND DON'T TOUCH THAT BUTTON AGAIN" I never saw her again and never got my second drink. Was I in the wrong? has anything like this ever happened to you guys? I fly weekly on Delta and have never been treated with anything other than respect until now.

#12
Join Date: May 2002
Location: STL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, DL SkClub LT, Marr LT Plat, IHG Plat, HH Diam
Posts: 1,928
View From The Wing / Boarding Area has published a blog post on this incident. OP should definitely fire off an email now that this service failure has a bright light shined on it.
https://viewfromthewing.com/delta-pa...m=BoardingArea
https://viewfromthewing.com/delta-pa...m=BoardingArea

#13
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Southern California
Programs: United MileagePlus Premier 1K, Delta SkyMiles Diamond Medallion
Posts: 1,051
maybe the aisle was blocked or he/she did not look back.
Delta FAs have gone from best in class to most Indifferent / surly in class !

#14
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Utqiagvik (Barrow) Alaska and Ann Arbor, Michigan
Programs: Charter Member Delta Diamond Medallion, Lifetime AA Platinum, IHG Diamond, Hilton & Marriott Gold
Posts: 617
Inquiring minds what to know if it is permissible for passengers to use the flight attendant call button to request an application for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, or the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card.

#15
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Southern California
Programs: United MileagePlus Premier 1K, Delta SkyMiles Diamond Medallion
Posts: 1,051
if most hate serving, perhaps they’ve selected the wrong profession, and those with that mindset should quit immediately !
Last edited by unitedbusiness; Sep 25, 22 at 3:07 pm
