After a delay because of the storm that blew through NY last month, we waited n waited and waited, in line for our turn for the de-icer. After 2 1/2 hours, the Stewwies brought around a 1/2 cup full of water....unlocked 1...thats 1 toilet, then after a further 1/2 hour, decided to put a video on.

3 and 1/2 hours after push back, we were airborne, bound for LGW.

MMMMMMMMMMMMM dinner and a drink, ahh life is good...

That'll be $20 for the 2 gin & tonics and wines Sir....

You what........After a 3 and 1/2 hour delay and on an International flight , you are charging....

Not our fault...."Act of God"!!!

Cheap cheap cheap Continental

BA, you have just won me back

After various transatlantic trips this year, I'm thinking that way these days. Across the pond there is none better.

Why not post this on the Continental forum? You might get some choice replies!

Free drinks are not a given after delays of any length. However, whenever I feel so motivated, I simply ask the FA to see about the possibility of obliging and prepare myself for one of 4 scenarios:

1) "No, sir." I've never actually been declined, presumably because I only ask in cases where the airline has clearly screwed up or the delay was excessively long (3.5 hours, even if weather related, would probably prompt me to inquire).
2) They slyly comp myself and the people in my immediate vacinity.
3) After receiving approval from the purser/captain, free drinks are offered to all (sometimes just one/person).
4) No announcement is made, but no money is collected (from anyone) either. I assume this requires the same authorization as scenario #3, yet doesn't encourage abuse.

In the old days, #3 was the most common resolution, but I've seen a lot more #2 and #4 in recent years.

I am convinced you are happy about the not-cheap-by-any-stretch-of-imagination 0 EQMs when flying BA Y.

Service v miles, miles v service. Hmm.

Whoops, this is FT: Better go and wash my mouth out with soap and water now ...

Most US airlines will not overly compensate for Acts of God, Weather, or anything out of thier control. I know across the pond, it;s different since the new EU rules for delays, but stateside, it remains this way.

-Vincent

believe it or not... *ducks for cover* miles and EQMs are not all thats important in an airline. (Especially when the airline that holds your miles could go belly up any time).

We're not exactly talking about compensation here - just some basic hospitality!

I was merely trying to illustrate that there are factors other than the price of drinks in irr ops that can influence one's flying preferences. As an aside, my only longhaul experience on BA was bad enough (lots of little issues) for them to remain in my "avoid-if-possible" list where they found themselves due to London-centredness (and it's not only the number of flights...e.g. most of the cheap I fares to Europe are very different if a domestic connection is thrown in...as if MAN/EDI flyers wouldn't take the nonstop), 0 EQMs and, to a lesser extent, the lack of size of thirdworld.
So there are loads of things that need to be considered...not just service vs miles.
My next transatlantic trip will be on the highly acclaimed (?) Santa Barbara Airlines.

In just the same way I could go to two business meetings with people I had given my custom to.

One might say "Hi, we're late starting, I don't have to offer you a drink so I won't. On we go ....."

The other might say "Good evening. So sorry we're starting late. Please sit back, relax, would you like a gin and tonic ? A beer ? Some nuts ? Now shall we begin ....."

All other things being equal, who do you think is most likely to get my repeat business ?

You just about hit it right on the nose......We , duh, thought that a bit of common courtesy might apply. But when the stewwie says, "why should we", my hackles rise up.

We have flown east/west/east across the pond many ,many times, this was a first for a US carrier...................and the last!

We know a heck of a lot of people in their 50's and 60;s here and they all ask us about Yurp/England etc etc.....as we are Brits. Now they are mt nesters, they are wanting some help and advice..

BA, Virgin, Luthansa etc etc, you'll be getting our vote!