Whining about Wine
Dec 9, 2000 | 11:16 pm
#17
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Palm Beach/ New England
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, DL GM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,459
My wine gifts have always been from UA intl in F or in business, even though I fly AA much more. The wine giveaways seem to be triggered by polite and interested conversation with the FAs about wine or other topics. The gift always comes at the end of the flight, wrapped in a cloth napkin, and generally done "discreetly." I usually tuck the bottle away in my cabin baggage so that I am not seen by other pax with a gimme that they may or may not have received. I assumed that everyone experienced these gift cycles, but maybe it is the same few of us time and again.
Dec 9, 2000 | 11:33 pm
#18
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Atlanta,Georgia ,USA
Posts: 686
I once dated a DL flight attendant that flew international. She was under the impression that the wine was destroyed at the end of the trips for security reasons. She was not always that well informed but she always thought that was why they could give away stuff without too much concern.
Dec 11, 2000 | 8:44 am
#19
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: BAGold; AA3MMPlat; UA1MMGold; FBGold; MarriottAmb; AccorPlat; HHGold; ICPlatAmb; HyattDiscoverist
Posts: 4,378
Probably 6 or 7 bottles of chardonnay or what they call champagne on UA over the years, virtually all in C on transcons or domestic F. (Less now that I don't refill my glass very often.) A couple of Godiva boxes when I ate the chocolates on board.
Dec 11, 2000 | 9:30 am
#20
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Old Lyme,CT-BDL/PVD UA 2P, Delta SM, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 403
I once received a bottle of champagne on an ORD-HNL flight (maybe they felt sorry for me - I think I was the only one on the plane traveling on business!).At baggage claim, I noticed a young honeymooning couple that I recognized from the cabin, and offered them the bottle in celebration of their trip. They were thrilled. Later, I got in the check-in queue at the Hilton Hawaiin Village, only to see the same couple in front of me. Since it was rather a long line, they popped the cork, and shared it with all.
Other times, I've received a bottle after passing the FA one of those "attaboy" coupons, for exemplary service.
Other times, I've received a bottle after passing the FA one of those "attaboy" coupons, for exemplary service.
Dec 11, 2000 | 5:37 pm
#21
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Programs: NW Platinum, Hilton Silver, 3 stays from Starwood Platinum!
Posts: 771
Mark, maybe you should schmooze more...
for the record, I've never gotten a bottle either. But then, I rarely drink wine (prefer water or whiskey or both) on board.
Linda
for the record, I've never gotten a bottle either. But then, I rarely drink wine (prefer water or whiskey or both) on board.
Linda
Dec 11, 2000 | 5:40 pm
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,337
For me I always get wine if I engage an FA in a nice conversation to pass the time on long flights. This is true both on UA (1K) and BA (Gold) when flying in First.
But I only accept when flying home. I get enough wine on the road.
But I only accept when flying home. I get enough wine on the road.
Dec 11, 2000 | 6:42 pm
#23
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: PDX
Programs: On a collision course with Kettledom
Posts: 25,550
Originally posted by Ling:
Mark, maybe you should schmooze more...
for the record, I've never gotten a bottle either. But then, I rarely drink wine (prefer water or whiskey or both) on board.
Linda
Mark, maybe you should schmooze more...
for the record, I've never gotten a bottle either. But then, I rarely drink wine (prefer water or whiskey or both) on board.
Linda
But after all the travel I've done, I would think I would at least get a bottle by accident...
Dec 11, 2000 | 7:06 pm
#24
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: AA Plt 2-million miler
Posts: 4,258
For us frequent flyers who take pride in traveling light, the wine would need to be exceptional, indeed, to make it worth lugging home. The weight issue is the main reason I don't buy booze in duty free, no matter how great the deal.
Dec 14, 2000 | 3:51 pm
#25
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA
Posts: 27
I am very nice to the FA's, but I tend not to bother them (returning the favor, I rarely have a FA show up where I work and bother me). I respect them as professionals, and figure they are not paid to be my friend. After all, they are there primarily for my safety (or so I am told).
Oh Hallelujah....someone that understands!
[This message has been edited by Cobber (edited 12-14-2000).]
Dec 14, 2000 | 4:10 pm
#26
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: PDX
Programs: On a collision course with Kettledom
Posts: 25,550
Originally posted by Cobber:
Oh Hallelujah....someone that understands!
Oh Hallelujah....someone that understands!
Thanks, that is better than a bottle of wine.