Too few flight attendants
 

I noticed on a recent united nyc-lax flight there was at least one fewer flight attendant than normal, and two fewer on the way back (this was on united, coach) which meant an inconvenience mostly insofar as there was less beverage service. Still, annoying. Also, United's red carpet lounge at JFK had not a single person working there and the food was ghastly (still-frozen bagels and vacuum-sealed danishes). Food was no better at LAX and the drinks cost! -- what's up with that?

the drinks cost! -- what's up with that

all (except RCC MIA) Red Carpet Clubs in North America charge for alcoholic beverages - nothing new.

Most of the FAs migrate up front to assist the First Class (and Business Class on three-class aircraft) cabin and passengers.

On SFO-ORD-SFO flights (two-class 767s and 777s) I have enjoyed the service of up to six FAs. I assume a number of them are from the Economy Cabin.

I was fortunate on my SFO-JFK R/T in that I was in 15B so I was assisted by the Business Class FAs from the BC galley located to my right who made sure I was well taken care of when the Economy Class FAs were doing food / drink service farther back.

[This message has been edited by SEA_Tigger (edited 04-21-2003).]

As of 1 April, Delta has eliminated one F/A from its 767-400 flights. Consequently, there is only SkyDeli in Economy Class and a "cold snack" in First.

That means that there are now two completely empty jumpseats at the exits. Not comforting if I consider that I have no idea how to open a door or a slide on a 767.

Is that a fact??? Like on all 767-400 flights or just the one you were on? Because that's really disturbing -- though who knows, maybe the f/a aren't great at opening the exit doors either.

This is a fact. An F/A actually showed me the bid schedule.

Isn't the FAA reg 1 FA/50 seats?

That's really unfortunate, as the FA's are really there for safety, more than service (on United flights, service has been an afterthought for years).

RCC's have never served complimentary drinks in the US, and the food has always been snack-type. The better clubs are overseas.

[This message has been edited by sldbld (edited 04-24-2003).]

Forgive my naivete. I've only flown business class once. On that occasion, I got hot washcloths and a snack that was a little more frou-frou than a typical coach snack. Nothing else special, except private bathrooms, I think, just for us.

But when people talk about the service being great in first class, what do you mean exactly? When I'm on a flight, there's really almost nothing a flight attendant can do for me other than serve drinks or food now and then. So what additional service am I going to request or find worthwhile paying for? I can understand liking the greater amount of room available.

Hi kickballcity. I can't provide much insight into your UA experience as I almost exclusively fly DL. In the DL Crown Room Clubs, we are provided very little that would pass for food. Hey, we'd be THRILLED with even a "still frozen bagel" or "vacuum sealed Danish"!! Best we've ever seen is snack mix and the occasional stale breakfast bar. The drinks, however, are "free" in the CRC so I guess that evens things out a bit.
On your FA question, I'm usually in First Class due to elite status with DL. I have noticed little difference in FA service recently. They have been attentive albeit somewhat distracted due to the uncertain state of affairs with DL.
I can identify with their distraction as many DL elites are suffering the same affliction. DL is rapidly raising the bar for elite status while at the same time removing most if not all of the benefits. But that's a topic for another thread...
I guess my advice is to be grateful for what little food selection is remaining in the RCC's. You might someday find yourself in a CRC where their is literally nothing to complain about!! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

Didn't some airline once offer massages in long-distance first class? Virgin Atlantic?

I just ask whoever is sitting next to me for a massage.

I believe this is still the case on Virgin Atlantic.

I have flown mostly UA and AA this year and FAs are fast disappearing. Service in F has been okay, but service in Y has been very poor.

On a 3 or 4 hour flight, two beverage services if you are lucky. Often they do not have enough fresh non-plane water. They are not discourteous but neither are they friendly. They are really harried I would say. Then they sit or stand in back chatting.

There has been no real food served so they do not have that to deal with.

I think this lessening of service will help make more people defect to the lowfare airlines. Those airlines, especially Southwest and JetBlue, are said to have decent service. It is not just that pax have lower expectations, it is also that their employees have a sense of fun and seem to enjoy their jobs, something that can't be said for most FAs on the majors right now.

This has an effect: pax on the majors in Y feel like they are an imposition rather than honored guests (ha).

"Upper Class" which is priced at comparable business class fares. FWIW, the (neck/shoulder) massages are not guaranteed. There are a limited number of spots per flight and if there are more passengers who want it than slots, you only get it by luck of the draw.

As others said, the U.S. F.A.A. mandates 1 FA per 50 seats.