The Disappearing Dom
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: All the wrong places..
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The Disappearing Dom
Reminded by the comments by AirCash and Noy in the lounge thread, I thought reduction in Dom is serious enough to warrant it's own thread.
They have indeed started to restrict Dom in F on long haul flights. They are only supposed to load four bottles in total at BKK for the outbound and return, meaning there is only two bottles out and two bottles back.
In addition to this, crew have been asked not to serve Dom for pre take-off drink to those requesting champagne, instead serving the Grande Armee. As TG do not bring the bottle to your seat to pour your champagne in F a la SQ etc, they believe this allows them to get away with not serving Dom.......
Once two bottles have gone on the outbound, they are supposed to switch. However, some pax are complaining and if pushed they will open another one. This is leaving only one for the return and is why people have been finding them out of Dom after one bottle on the inbound flights.
Apparently they were looking to phase Dom out altogether, but some crew have been telling them this is not a good idea, and indeed I have had crew actively encouraging me to complain about it on two recent flights.
I know TG desperately need to cut costs, but there are far better places they can and should be doing it instead of penny pinching on their premium products. Banning FOC upgrades to someone's neighbours brothers friend would be a good start...
They have indeed started to restrict Dom in F on long haul flights. They are only supposed to load four bottles in total at BKK for the outbound and return, meaning there is only two bottles out and two bottles back.
In addition to this, crew have been asked not to serve Dom for pre take-off drink to those requesting champagne, instead serving the Grande Armee. As TG do not bring the bottle to your seat to pour your champagne in F a la SQ etc, they believe this allows them to get away with not serving Dom.......
Once two bottles have gone on the outbound, they are supposed to switch. However, some pax are complaining and if pushed they will open another one. This is leaving only one for the return and is why people have been finding them out of Dom after one bottle on the inbound flights.
Apparently they were looking to phase Dom out altogether, but some crew have been telling them this is not a good idea, and indeed I have had crew actively encouraging me to complain about it on two recent flights.
I know TG desperately need to cut costs, but there are far better places they can and should be doing it instead of penny pinching on their premium products. Banning FOC upgrades to someone's neighbours brothers friend would be a good start...
#2
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: SYD & 35K ft.
Programs: UA Gold, *A Gold - Qantas Club/Silver - Virgin Atlantic Silver
Posts: 1,911
I agree!
What is this all about, who in their right mind would think that 4 bottles of Dom to and from BKK to Europe/Oz/USA is going to last the flight(s) and keep pax happy, relaxed and jovial?!
I really think that penny pinching on premuim services is the wrong strategy for TG - I mean who makes them the most profit!
Even the crew understand no Dom = unhappy pax!
Grrr.
BTW, what is Grande Armee - sounds cheap?!
Cheers,
AG. :-:
What is this all about, who in their right mind would think that 4 bottles of Dom to and from BKK to Europe/Oz/USA is going to last the flight(s) and keep pax happy, relaxed and jovial?!
I really think that penny pinching on premuim services is the wrong strategy for TG - I mean who makes them the most profit!
Even the crew understand no Dom = unhappy pax!
Grrr.
BTW, what is Grande Armee - sounds cheap?!
Cheers,
AG. :-:
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: TG Plat , AF Lifetime Plat, SPG Plat
Posts: 915
I flew BKK-CDG in F a few days ago, and Dom was served ( from the bottle) as the pre take off drink.
Looks like the FA's are giving the finger to the silly and probably corrupt cost cutters at TG. Well done...
Looks like the FA's are giving the finger to the silly and probably corrupt cost cutters at TG. Well done...
#4
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Phuket
Programs: SQ *Gold, BA, QR, EY, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 5,272
The "alternative" champagne is actualy Bollinger Grand Annee (1999?). It's really rather good BUT it's certainly not Dom Of course certain other premium (*cough*) (e.g. BA) airlines' fans get all excited when the Bolly is their premium offering It's the way TG are going aout such changes that gets me....kind of a nice problem to have though
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
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Indeed, it is the Grand Annee, and I agree it is quite good. Not Dom as you say, but it's not bad.
It's the way TG are going aout such changes that gets me....
Last edited by MAN Flyer; Dec 10, 2009 at 1:56 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: BA*G
Posts: 104
Bollykok follies
Manflyer, I completely agree.
On Tuesday I wasn't late boarding, arriving with around 5 other F pax from the SAS lounge, and the DOM was no where to be seen for pre take-off drinks. Bolly was presented and poured the same way DOM usually is. The drinks menu still had DOM listed.
There was no refill after 10 minutes on empty. Last time I flew the refills were free flowing. Feels like staff are definately told to be in conservation mode, and with F passengers!
What next, salmon roe to replace caviar, and crab sticks to replace lobster?
On Tuesday I wasn't late boarding, arriving with around 5 other F pax from the SAS lounge, and the DOM was no where to be seen for pre take-off drinks. Bolly was presented and poured the same way DOM usually is. The drinks menu still had DOM listed.
There was no refill after 10 minutes on empty. Last time I flew the refills were free flowing. Feels like staff are definately told to be in conservation mode, and with F passengers!
What next, salmon roe to replace caviar, and crab sticks to replace lobster?
#7
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: SYD & 35K ft.
Programs: UA Gold, *A Gold - Qantas Club/Silver - Virgin Atlantic Silver
Posts: 1,911
Manflyer, I completely agree.
On Tuesday I wasn't late boarding, arriving with around 5 other F pax from the SAS lounge, and the DOM was no where to be seen for pre take-off drinks. Bolly was presented and poured the same way DOM usually is. The drinks menu still had DOM listed.
There was no refill after 10 minutes on empty. Last time I flew the refills were free flowing. Feels like staff are definately told to be in conservation mode, and with F passengers!
What next, salmon roe to replace caviar, and crab sticks to replace lobster?
On Tuesday I wasn't late boarding, arriving with around 5 other F pax from the SAS lounge, and the DOM was no where to be seen for pre take-off drinks. Bolly was presented and poured the same way DOM usually is. The drinks menu still had DOM listed.
There was no refill after 10 minutes on empty. Last time I flew the refills were free flowing. Feels like staff are definately told to be in conservation mode, and with F passengers!
What next, salmon roe to replace caviar, and crab sticks to replace lobster?
Cheers,
AG. :-:
#11
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: SYD & 35K ft.
Programs: UA Gold, *A Gold - Qantas Club/Silver - Virgin Atlantic Silver
Posts: 1,911
#12
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK.
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I think we all know that the one thing Thai is is inconsistent - wouldn't it follow therefore if the amount of Dom loaded on to flights followed their most consistent quality of inconsistency?
#13
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: London
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I for one certainly hope that this current downward trend is matched by an equal and opposite one in time for my flight in F from LHR on 7 January
#14
Join Date: May 2006
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#15
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