In my job, if I forget a small part that affects the overall performance, I still get dinged for it. Helps me remember not to do/not do it again. A comment in this situation would serve a similar purpose. Consider it constructive criticism.

Yes, asking the FA when it happens (or doesn't happen, as the case may be) is the right thing to do. It serves little purpose to write in after the fact or post on FT if one never even asks the FA in the first place.

I agree that it's only fair to ask the FA for a snack and report it on TTU only if she refuses or is somehow discourteous in response to your request. It doesn't seem fair to silently fume and then report her for her inability to read your mind. People do get sidetracked or distracted sometimes. She may have even realized after the flight that she forgot to pass around the basket, then shrugged and figured if anyone was that hungry, they would have said something. Since she brought it out, it sounds like she was planning to bring it around and just forgot.

When people have choice, they will pick a business that provides consistently superior service. One never knows when an action you call a minor oversight, say, something like not offering a pre-flight beverage, might be worth a lot to some passengers.

Down-line catering
 

I saw the snack basket come out on a recent flight from DTW. It was taken out of the cart and put off to the side. We got the pretzels/nuts and later when I got up to use the lav I asked the FA if I could have a bag of my favorite Pita Chips. She smiled and handed me one but said that the basket was catered for the return trip and not this one. She was really nice about it and appologized for not having a basket for our flight. It may be that the basket comes out to get it out of the way but it is intended for the return flight down line. I have found that flights of less than 1.5 hours do not always get a SB. Just a thought.

We have a winner! You know what, I think you're right and that's exactly what happened.

How is it that Delta FA's are never similarly "sidetracked or distracted"?

There's still an underlying bitterness and resentment in NW flight attendants, and it is not my job to deal with it in any manner in the air. All service lapses should should be submitted to NW.

I've received a couple rather snotty replies from FA's when I've pressed for what use to be normal service levels in the front cabin. That said, my recent experiences in NW F have been better than they were a few months ago -- I think NW is dealing with & acting on the feedback, and that's the best way to go.

Yet another reason to write a TTU. Why they **** would any actually pay $$$ for a seat in F, especially the segment of the population that abstains from alcohol? (We don't abstain, but our lounge members are paid up.)

I've been on plenty of short hauls MSP-ORD, MSP-STL, DTW-ORD, etc., and there is always a full snack backs w/ snacks & fruit. If they start omitting this, the appeal of flying NW F on short hauls will be greatly diminished.

If this what keeps you on NW you need to rethink your priorities.

I disagree with everyone saying you should definitely ask the FA and not report it on TTU. I don't like to bother the FA with my drink refills or snack requests until they offer because I know they are busy. However I do expect to get the snacks that are supposed to be offered, and refills in a reasonable amount of time. I have never rang the call button asking for food or drink.

At the end of the flight if snacks still haven't been passed out I would say it would be appropriate to ask why not, but I also think reporting to TTU is just as acceptable.

The portion highlighted in bold describes my personality too. I am hesitant to ask, and wait, until the FA does, what she was going to do anyway, such as offering a refill or a bring a snack. Last night, I nodded off as we were taxiing, my wife did too. When I woke up I had no idea how long we had been airborne. Not knowing if we were close to landing, or it was going to follow soon. Some FA's are not very kind when you ask for a drink once the aircraft has started to descend, some will give you one anyway. Being considerate, I didn't want to ask for one if the crew were preparing for landing. When I saw her taking back empty glasses I knew I had slept through. I still wanted a glass of water. I got her attention and told her I wanted a drink of water. As I was drinking my water, the announcement preparing for landing was made. An attentive FA would ask a pax when they woke up if they would like a drink while a non-attentive would just go on with here routine. That's where the difference is between an attentive FA and a minimalist FA.

I firmly adhere to my belief as a passenger, I should not make demands that would interfere with an FA's other duties. Many of the FA's do both well, some of them in an outstanding manner, while some seem to forget the service part.

Your priorities needn't be my priorities.

If there isn't some semblance of "first-class" service in the "first-class" cabin, what's the point? I can stretch my legs in an exit row or bulkhead.

Yeah, I mean you pay triple for that seat, why should you expect anything better than coach right?

Snack Probably Not for the Next Flight
 

NW212 is the last flight of the day to PHL from DTW. Hard to imagine the snacks were for the morning return to DTW. Having said that, as previously indicated, I will ask for a snack in the future. Nothing more.

The snack basket was never actually rolled out for all flights was it? I certainly do not get it every flight (51 dometic legs this year) , though as I noted, > 1.5 hours seems to be where it is consistent. Given that all of your flights noted above are out of hubs I wonder if that is the reason you have had it every time. Or, you are very lucky or I am not so lucky!