Ringing the call button to get a drink
Nov 17, 2009 | 9:17 pm
#17
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: I am a lowly ant
Posts: 1,756
here is the scenario. Food and drinks have already been served. Flight is quiet and people are reading or watching the IFE. Flight attendants are 'behind the curtains' or not visible.
Do you think it is rude to ring the call button to ask for something to drink? 9/10 times on a US domestic flight they don't seem to happy to get the request.
Do you think it is rude to ring the call button to ask for something to drink? 9/10 times on a US domestic flight they don't seem to happy to get the request.
^^^^
And of course their premium cabins are fully booked - unlike some airlines, they don't feel they need to treat their Y pax like dirt in order to upsell to J/F.
Nov 17, 2009 | 9:35 pm
#18
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: MEL, Australia
Programs: QF PS, EK SkyWards Blue, SQ Krisflyer
Posts: 256
Only ever done it once, on Qantas, and even got a smile ... from a male FA! Wow.
Another time on QF i went to the galley to get a drink and found i felt like a giant intrusion as the crew were busily doing things. Approaching an EK galley anywhere within 4 hours of a meal service is a nightmare, anyway i generally regard those pax that hang out in the galley as a supreme annoyance, as they are in everyone's way.
Another time on QF i went to the galley to get a drink and found i felt like a giant intrusion as the crew were busily doing things. Approaching an EK galley anywhere within 4 hours of a meal service is a nightmare, anyway i generally regard those pax that hang out in the galley as a supreme annoyance, as they are in everyone's way.
Nov 17, 2009 | 9:53 pm
#19
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Body in Downtown YYZ, heart and mind elsewhere
Programs: UA 50K, refugee from AC E50K, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 5,169
On the *A MegaDo we all pressed our call buttons immediately upon hitting cruising altitude and nothing happened. 
(It was kinda neat seeing an entire 757 with call lights on though.)
On a regular flight I don't hit the button. I just get up and go to the galley - it's a good excuse to walk around a bit.
(It was kinda neat seeing an entire 757 with call lights on though.)On a regular flight I don't hit the button. I just get up and go to the galley - it's a good excuse to walk around a bit.
Nov 17, 2009 | 10:00 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: UA Million Miler (lite). NY Metro area.
Posts: 15,430
here is the scenario. Food and drinks have already been served. Flight is quiet and people are reading or watching the IFE. Flight attendants are 'behind the curtains' or not visible.
Do you think it is rude to ring the call button to ask for something to drink? 9/10 times on a US domestic flight they don't seem to happy to get the request.
Do you think it is rude to ring the call button to ask for something to drink? 9/10 times on a US domestic flight they don't seem to happy to get the request.
I just flew OZ (Asiana) upstairs on a 747. Every time I rang the call button, I started counting 1 2 3 4 5... The highest number that I counted to was 8 (seconds).
I did this multiple times on 2 flights between Seoul and JFK return. I never had a chance to count to 10 on both flights.
d
Nov 18, 2009 | 12:29 am
#22
Moderator Communications Coordinator, Signatures
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: deep within the Eskimo lair
Programs: TubWorld, Bar Alliance, Borratxo Legendarium
Posts: 16,970
9 out of 10 times still presumes that one has rung the call button at least 10 times while flying. whereas i've maybe used it 3 times in my whole life.
If I were regularly thirsty enough that I couldn't go an hour or two between drink services, I'd probably make sure I brought something onboard with me. In fact, I usually always have an iced tea from Starbucks when I board.
If I were regularly thirsty enough that I couldn't go an hour or two between drink services, I'd probably make sure I brought something onboard with me. In fact, I usually always have an iced tea from Starbucks when I board.
Nov 18, 2009 | 12:58 am
#23
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: London, Strathaven
Programs: BA (Gold). Various other statuses
Posts: 1,500
If I'd tried counting on a recent Iberia flight I'd have lost count.....and that was in business! Within Europe I find BA are pretty good, Iberia good when they can be bothered and LH too scary to even think about ringing in the first place!
Nov 18, 2009 | 6:24 am
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: PDX
Programs: On a collision course with Kettledom
Posts: 25,550
If you were in a window seat in coach and thirsty (even for water), isn't hitting the call button less disruptive than asking the middle and aisle seats to get up or wake up in order to go the galley? Or, if the seat belt light has been on for 2-3 hours, and you really need something to drink, what else would be an option?
Nov 18, 2009 | 3:12 pm
#27
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: NY by birth. By choice, BNA in the US, YXE in Canada.
Posts: 2,420
Most of the time I am in an aisle seat, so I have no qualms about getting up and going to the galley. However, if I'm in the middle of doing work (have my laptop out, etc) or in the middle or window seat, I have no problems whatsoever dinging that button. As also mentioned, if no response is rendered within a few minutes, I will reset and ding again.
You're there primarily for my safety, but you are there for food & beverage service as well. If you don't want to do that, your good-for-nothing union should get the airline to eliminate that amenity.
@:-)As well, we always hear that flight attendants are always paid while they are in the air...well, if you're getting paid, you're there to work - not socialize or read.
Nov 18, 2009 | 3:57 pm
#30
Original Poster
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 807
Hmm, this reminds me of me sitting row 56 or something like that on SQ, 3am, can't sleep because it's Y and I'm 6', so I push the call button. 30 seconds later: 'How can I help you'. 'I would like a Singapore Sling please'. 60 seconds after that 'Here you go sir'.
^^^^
And of course their premium cabins are fully booked - unlike some airlines, they don't feel they need to treat their Y pax like dirt in order to upsell to J/F.
^^^^
And of course their premium cabins are fully booked - unlike some airlines, they don't feel they need to treat their Y pax like dirt in order to upsell to J/F.