The Hot Towel
Jun 28, 2002 | 7:39 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: (SNA) Orange County, California USA
Posts: 3,641
Welcome to FlyerTalk HotNsunnyNphoenix.
I always do. I've observed the Flight Attendants preparing them on numerous CO and HP flights and have no hesitation whatsoever. The prep I've seen involves removing the towels from their pre-packaged plastic wrapper, placing them on a tray, pouring a controlled amount of water on each one, microwaving them to near steaming temperature and immediately offering one via tongs to each First Class passenger. Although not surgically sterile, I'm comfortable with the operation.
Is there something I'm missing?
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You can gamble for matchsticks and you can gamble for gold, but if you haven't gambled for love and lost, then you haven't gambled at all.
I always do. I've observed the Flight Attendants preparing them on numerous CO and HP flights and have no hesitation whatsoever. The prep I've seen involves removing the towels from their pre-packaged plastic wrapper, placing them on a tray, pouring a controlled amount of water on each one, microwaving them to near steaming temperature and immediately offering one via tongs to each First Class passenger. Although not surgically sterile, I'm comfortable with the operation.
Is there something I'm missing?
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You can gamble for matchsticks and you can gamble for gold, but if you haven't gambled for love and lost, then you haven't gambled at all.
Jun 28, 2002 | 8:05 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 42,599
I have no prob with the towels. On UA anyway, they come out of a plastic-wrapped package and the FA puts the hot water on them and pushes the water in with a cup or some other object. They have no hand contact - certainly less than the towel you use in your hotel handled by the maid after being folded by someone else.
By the way THIS IS BUZZ RELATED BECAUSE THE ONLY REASON WE ARE IN F IS BECAUSE OF AN UPGRADE FROM PARTICIPATION IN THE FF PROGRAM OF OUR FAVO(U)RITE HOT TOWEL PROVIDING AIRLINE
[This message has been edited by Eastbay1K (edited 06-28-2002).]
By the way THIS IS BUZZ RELATED BECAUSE THE ONLY REASON WE ARE IN F IS BECAUSE OF AN UPGRADE FROM PARTICIPATION IN THE FF PROGRAM OF OUR FAVO(U)RITE HOT TOWEL PROVIDING AIRLINE
[This message has been edited by Eastbay1K (edited 06-28-2002).]
Jun 28, 2002 | 8:57 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Minnesota, USA
Posts: 846
Hot towels....hmmm. let's see I think I have vague recollection of them. Yes, I remember now. Seems like years ago, but I guess it was just a year ago. . . .Definitely to be used on the face and once they have cooled down, then for use on the hands.
Looking forward to a ORD LAX trip on UA744 in late July in hopes of personnally refreshing my memory of that "hot towel experience."
Looking forward to a ORD LAX trip on UA744 in late July in hopes of personnally refreshing my memory of that "hot towel experience."
Jun 28, 2002 | 10:23 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: FLL
Posts: 1,679
Do they throw them away?
I think Qantas does. In fact, Qantas J (and presumably F) class uses those towels in the lavs, instead of paper towels. Passengers then toss them in the trash. Wasteful!
I use them on the hands then wipe the armrests to see how dirty they are. Sometimes they are black! On rare occasions, they are spotless (like when I was in an approximately 7 day old A321 on US.
I think Qantas does. In fact, Qantas J (and presumably F) class uses those towels in the lavs, instead of paper towels. Passengers then toss them in the trash. Wasteful!
I use them on the hands then wipe the armrests to see how dirty they are. Sometimes they are black! On rare occasions, they are spotless (like when I was in an approximately 7 day old A321 on US.
Jun 29, 2002 | 1:23 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Sydney
Posts: 611
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Do they throw them away?
I think Qantas does. In fact, Qantas J (and presumably F) class uses those towels in the lavs, instead of paper towels. Passengers then toss them in the trash. Wasteful!</font>
Do they throw them away?
I think Qantas does. In fact, Qantas J (and presumably F) class uses those towels in the lavs, instead of paper towels. Passengers then toss them in the trash. Wasteful!</font>
Anyway, what would you prefer? Using a towel straight from the manufacturer, or one that someone once blew their nose on, wiped their kid's bum, cleaned up vomit etc and that you *hope* someone cleaned properly? I can see how a company would try to avoid this potential psychological aversion, even if it's totally irrational...
[edited to fix thinko]
[This message has been edited by aura (edited 06-29-2002).]
Jun 29, 2002 | 5:25 am
#9
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: MIA / EZE
Programs: Lord of Malbec & all Wines Argentine. AA EXP / Marriott Lifetime Gold / Hyatt Explorist / Hertz PC
Posts: 36,207
Forgive me, but the only REAL towels are those available on Asian carriers like SQ. What you get on UA is a joke... 
Jun 29, 2002 | 7:01 am
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
My hot towel gets used in this order:
1. wipe face
2. wipw hands
3. clean personal video screen (if needed)
4. clean drink/tray area (if needed)
I always 'return' the towel by hand (with a THANK YOU) to the attendant's tray... I never expect them to reach out with tongs and grab it.
1. wipe face
2. wipw hands
3. clean personal video screen (if needed)
4. clean drink/tray area (if needed)
I always 'return' the towel by hand (with a THANK YOU) to the attendant's tray... I never expect them to reach out with tongs and grab it.
Jun 29, 2002 | 7:03 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: MUC
Programs: LH Sen // HH Dia; Bonvoy LTTE
Posts: 3,210
I never use(d) it for my face. I use the towel sometimes for my hands and mostly don't take it (Why should I clean my face or my hands after boarding? I never understood this towel thing).
I'm always surprised how many passengers clean their faces with the towel: it remembers me of the herd and its leader. The first takes the towel and cleans his face - the others will follow with the same procedure.
I'm always surprised how many passengers clean their faces with the towel: it remembers me of the herd and its leader. The first takes the towel and cleans his face - the others will follow with the same procedure.
Jun 29, 2002 | 8:34 am
#13
Moderator: Avianca, Travel Photography, Travel Technology & USA
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Far western edge of the La-La Land City limits
Programs: Emeritus VIP Fromins Deli Encino grandfathered successor program - UA MM & HH Diamond
Posts: 3,812
If it is "Buzz" related, then it should be in "Travel" rather than "Miles". Please follow it there.
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Craig6z
Buzz & United Moderator
[email protected]
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Craig6z
Buzz & United Moderator
[email protected]
Jun 29, 2002 | 11:12 am
#14
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,268
I do hands and back of neck, and blotch my face. I then put it on the tray with my hand so that that the FA does not have to use tongs.
The true terry cloth towels are the best.
Some intra-Europe flights in Business leave them in the packets so that they are cold, but sanitary.
The true terry cloth towels are the best.
Some intra-Europe flights in Business leave them in the packets so that they are cold, but sanitary.
Jun 29, 2002 | 5:18 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 4,330
I usually don't take the towel because as soon as we are up in the air I go to the bathroom and wash my hands with hot soapy water.
Continental uses real terry cloth face cloths in First(domestic) and BusinessFirst (international).
I have never thought to use the cloth to clean the arm rest or monitors. I will definitly take it next time. I have heard in the past the most contaminated items in a hotel room is the remote control. Since continental BF has remote controls for the IFE, I will take the towel to wipe down the remote control. I usually touch the remote several times during the dinner service.
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Rachel
CO - Platinum
Hilton - Diamond
SPG - Platinum
The Princess' Pictures
Continental uses real terry cloth face cloths in First(domestic) and BusinessFirst (international).
I have never thought to use the cloth to clean the arm rest or monitors. I will definitly take it next time. I have heard in the past the most contaminated items in a hotel room is the remote control. Since continental BF has remote controls for the IFE, I will take the towel to wipe down the remote control. I usually touch the remote several times during the dinner service.
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Rachel
CO - Platinum
Hilton - Diamond
SPG - Platinum
The Princess' Pictures