Jan 28, 2024, 1:18 pm
PDB back! Experiences.
Oct 22, 2025 | 2:51 am
#436
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/2MM, DL DM/2MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond,IHG Diamond, Hyatt Globalist,Marriott Titanium
Posts: 13,201
No PDB from Dakar. Is that standard? Or is it because the plane was booked to 2 pax with the rest as nonrev on my flight.
Oct 22, 2025 | 6:50 am
#437
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ORD and RSW
Programs: Former long time AA EXP and CK; Now LTPL; UA Gold' 4MM
Posts: 415
Oct 22, 2025 | 7:33 am
#438
Join Date: Mar 2023
Location: SRQ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 398
I'm not sure it is the new people so much as the veterans being upset about their contract or some other thing. I fly ORD/RSW regularly. In the last 10 flights, there were PDBs offered only once. On a flight out of ORD to RSW last month, we were held at the gate to allow over a dozen connecting pax to catch the flight after being delayed due to storms just to the east of ORD. We boarded and sat at the gate for 30 minutes with the door open, so plenty of time for PDBs. The captain even went off the plane to get his Starbucks beverage refilled. But the kicker was an FA who seemed to be new asked the purser if she should start the PDB service since we were boarded and just sitting there. The purser said "Absolutely not. I never do that anymore". I was in1B so could hear everything going on up front where the four FAs had gathered to chat. So perhaps the newbies are being trained correctly by UA but the OJT they get on the planes is another matter.
Oct 22, 2025 | 5:16 pm
#439
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DEN & PSP
Programs: UA 1K 27 years/2.5MM, Honors LT Diamond, AVIS & Hertz Prez Club
Posts: 4,955
While survey feedback is scored and quotes available for all to see, the direct route of an email to Customer Care or http://www.united.com/feedback will get more traction. You can literally compose and send that from the link provided while in flight on the onboard Wi-Fi even if you do not purchase internet for your flight.
Nov 26, 2025 | 10:26 pm
#440
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Bloomfield, NJ
Programs: UA Gold, Million Miler, Marriott titanium, lifetime platinum
Posts: 994
Was happy to see full bar service offered yesterday as pre departure, EWR BUF on a delayed A319. Great flight attendant who in flight offered everyone full bar service plus a refill for the shorter flight. Y got water only. For decades Y got full beverage service, ahh, the old days. Now the flight is too short to possibly service all of Y..
Pleasant, outgoing attendants still are out there!
Pleasant, outgoing attendants still are out there!
Nov 28, 2025 | 8:05 am
#441
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 390
Awesome! Is there a pattern on who is more likely to do it? Ie. Mainline versus regional carrier?
Was happy to see full bar service offered yesterday as pre departure, EWR BUF on a delayed A319. Great flight attendant who in flight offered everyone full bar service plus a refill for the shorter flight. Y got water only. For decades Y got full beverage service, ahh, the old days. Now the flight is too short to possibly service all of Y..
Pleasant, outgoing attendants still are out there!
Pleasant, outgoing attendants still are out there!
Nov 29, 2025 | 7:47 pm
#442
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Bloomfield, NJ
Programs: UA Gold, Million Miler, Marriott titanium, lifetime platinum
Posts: 994
Return from Buffalo, CRJ500, BUF EWR day after Thanksgiving. Water only PDB. Asked for prosecco and told alcohol not permitted on ground. Crazy.
In flight or 47 minutes, she served doubles and refill for those drinking alcohol. About 1/2 the cabin.
In flight or 47 minutes, she served doubles and refill for those drinking alcohol. About 1/2 the cabin.
Dec 6, 2025 | 7:22 am
#443
Join Date: Mar 2023
Location: SRQ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 398
I was on the early morning SRQ-EWR flight where it was barely 30% full. The flight attendants who serviced the FC cabin were very much disengaged. There was no attempt at the PDB. The FA sat down in her seat the majority of the time while the boarding process was winding down (cabin door still open).
The other thing that I had an issue was they resisted to hang my leather jacket. I asked several times and they finally gave in while rolling her eyes (yes, I saw it).
I emailed 1K voice and customer service. I know service is being cut back and reduced but this hit a new low for me.
The other thing that I had an issue was they resisted to hang my leather jacket. I asked several times and they finally gave in while rolling her eyes (yes, I saw it).
I emailed 1K voice and customer service. I know service is being cut back and reduced but this hit a new low for me.
Dec 7, 2025 | 9:39 am
#445
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: MIA/BJX/SAN
Programs: UA 1K, BA SILVER, VB DOTERS SILVER, IHG DIAMOND AMBASSADOR,
Posts: 1,031
Dec 7, 2025 | 5:10 pm
#446
Join Date: Mar 2023
Location: SRQ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 398
On todays ROC-EWR flight in FC. We were #3 to be deiced and captain said it will be a good 30 minutes before we take off. I politely asked for a Jack and Coke and she rejected my request. She said we dont do alcoholic drinks while on the ground
good grief two days with two different denials for PDB. I emailed customer service after yesterdays flight and they confirmed that PDB is part of their policy. It just sounds like no one wants to make an effort.
good grief two days with two different denials for PDB. I emailed customer service after yesterdays flight and they confirmed that PDB is part of their policy. It just sounds like no one wants to make an effort.
Dec 8, 2025 | 11:40 am
#447
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Austin
Programs: 1K MM, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, AA Exec. Plat
Posts: 404
The missing pre-departure beverages is about a work-to-contract labor action. United FAs haven't had a new contract since 2021 and are being offered ~5% raises while pilots got 40%+, creating massive resentment. PDBs aren't contractually required, so they're withholding this "above and beyond" service as one of their few visible pressure points while in negotiations. Combined with minimum staffing levels and the post-COVID discovery that passengers still fly without amenities, airlines have little incentive to push for restored service. Flight attendants are essentially in a soft strike, doing exactly what's required and nothing more until they get a fair contract.
Dec 8, 2025 | 2:49 pm
#448
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 73,036
I think it is also very clear that the dissent in the FA ranks with their leadership on what a fair contract is that further complicates the issue.
Dec 9, 2025 | 7:35 am
#449
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA GS 2MM
Posts: 1,066
PDBs seem pretty much extinct now on United, except maybe Polaris and the occasional good FA. Same thing for name greeting and thanks for status. The credit card pumping goes from strength to strength though...