Quick Flight Report--LAX to IAD
 

Took UA 946 today on a Intl. 777. Was in C so of course happy to be able to work with power and sleep for a couple of hours too. Didn't bother checking the IFE, but I tell you the upgrade is coming none too soon. Some of the seats are really starting to show the where.

For food, I got the fruit. On one had it was fine as far as the fruit goes but presentation, ha ha ha. I got the traditional side plate with fruit on it. However, my main fruit wasn't like the traditional plate in domestic first. Instead of a plate, it was a plastic, black food box with slots holding honeydew and watermelon. I got three pieces of cheese, two packages of the small Pepperidge Farm crackers, some off-brand yougurt (tasted fine), and a nasty too sweet mini-muffin.

The other meal looked much better--Quiche Lorraine (although covered in goo), ham and some potato. Why didn't I have it? Because I had some that my wife made before I left home! :-p

Purser did meals Front to back on the HJ side first. Just seemed to ask everyone what they wanted--no first or second choice game.

Crew was mixed. One FA was outstanding. Nice young girl. Just awesome. Gave her one of those papers for good service. Turns out she's reserver so there's no telling when I'll get her again. The F FA was also good--she helped during meal service.

The other were of the "vocal minority bunch" About 30 mintues before landing I used the loo and came back to me seat and had to ring the bell, FIVE times. Holy crap. They were having a pow-wow in the middle galley. At one point the purser came up and was chating. I range it right over her head--nothing.

So overall a very mixed flight. I loves me my 777 in C or F, but the crews continue to be a mixed bunch.

One more note on the crew: they were generally fine. I'm generally self-sufficeint. But after a thread the other day, I decided to be more like BJ and ring and ring. :-)

Smiles however were few (except for the FA mentioned above).

Sounds like C passengers were comped a fresh food item from Y ...

"An assortment of gourmet cheese and crackers, accompanied by a fresh seasonal fruit mixture, fresh yogurt and banana mini-loaf, raspberry breakfast cake or an apple Danish." (http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,51284,00.html)

What the heck is going on? Please tell me this is not a new (and even lower) catering standard for C domestic runs. :td:

i hope not. that actually kind of surprised me. i had a morning flight in C from IAD-DEN and was served the normal breakfast omelot.

Moving this to Trip Reports.

iluv2fly
Moderator, UA

Wow, that's what I had. <sigh> Next time go for the hot meal I guess.

A few Saturdays back I flew the early morning 777 IAD-DEN in C. I told the FA taking orders that I would be happy with either and to please make sure others got their first choice. I was woken up to be offered the fruit plate with a side of fruit, and I gladly went back to sleep instead of eating:) It looks like I turned down the BoB!

United drives me crazy lately with the immeasurable variances in level of service and attitude of the FAs. I feel you on that! In fact, one of the best FA-service flights I have been on in a LONG time was a short-haul ORD-IAD in F on a 757. The crew working F were all obviously recent-hires and I loved it!! They were attentive. They were kind. They gave the impression they WANTED to help you have a great time - insisting on refilling drinks, nice attitudes, etc. I understand long-time FAs and other employees have been screwed over by bankruptcy and management. But MANAGEMENT needs to figure out how to change the shiesty attitudes of many of the long-timers. Although, it needs to be said that some long-timers still have fantastic attitudes. Just most are salty and bitter. Makes people like me happy when I can buy an F-class on Virgin America. United needs to up their game!!

ok rant done.

That description definitely fits the Y-class BOB meal. Unfortunately, I experienced one a few months ago. ALTHOUGH, there is a true C/F class fruit plate, like the side of fruit that comes with the hot meal but bigger. There is much to worry about with United meal service, but at least this was a Y substitute. Too bad they didn't own up to it!