Seat 1F

+1
UA has added this back to satisfy the legions of whining PMUA 1K flyers. The FEBO method at AA works perfectly fine. Logically, the only meal prioritization method (if one is needed at all) that would make sense would be for folks who paid for F to get their first choice. Why an upgraded 1K thinks they should get meal priority over a paid F passenger is beyond me. Just more of the over-entitled attitude of the PMUA elites.

I did a segment today from PDX to IAH with a PMUA Aircraft and crew. I guess they didn't get the memo as there was no prioritized meal order taking. Also, once again there was no hot towel service. What is it with the PMUA crews that refuse to do the hot towels? Fourth flight in 3 weeks for me where the PMUA crew skipped the hot towels. What gives?

J.Edward

While both pmUA and pmCO flyers have their misconceptions, I think this is unfortunately one of the legacy issues from the CO side of FT: the subtly hinted but strongly believed notion held by a few that [all] pmUA elites/1Ks were [by default] 'over-entitled'...whatever over-entitled might mean.

I think that sadly this colors some posters' perspective in a negative light and in doing so they loose the ability to rationally approach and comment on the issue.

Just as to a hammer ever problem looks like a nail, someone who holds the view of elites/1Ks being 'over-entitled' any criticism, regardless of the underlying merit, will appear baseless and frivolous.

The old UA system actually did this via the "*" rating system. First priority was GS, followed by paid F and 1K. It was actually PMCO who had no published method of tying status to meal choices.

andrewwm

On the flip side, there seem to be an old guard of pmUA flyers that see any change in anything at the airline as an attempt to disrespect pmUA flyers. It gets kind of tiring for any change - especially the really benign ones - to be clogged up with discussion by the same 5-10 posters with rows of thumbs down saying "not a change I will like". In that sense, I feel there are some pmUA 1Kers that feel over-entitled in the sense that they feel entitled to have an airline that never changes any policy, ever, for them.

And I say this as a pmUA flyer myself that feels that the merger has been maybe something like 40% good 60% bad.

In that regard, FEBO/Front to back seems to work fine at AA and Delta without elites rioting. Many of the same pmUA 1K flyers that have complained the loudest about this change are also the first to tell you how much of their business they have moved to AA, which does it exactly the CO way.

And having dealt with PR people myself any halfway decent one is able to turn on a dime in announcing new company policies. One day it's "we proudly make our products in America, unlike our competition," the next day it's "made with state of the art factories in China, bringing the savings to you."

To think that the UAInsider crew is so deeply vested on one side of methods of meal order choices in First Class that they could only be made to announce the change on Flyertalk kicking and screaming says way more about you than it does about them.

njcommodore

I don't think that the pmCO side thinks that ALL pmUA elites are/were over-entitled [I'm certainly not going to speak for more than myself], but considering that even some pmUA 1Ks didn't understand the need for 1K meal priority shows that it is one in a series of policies SOME 1Ks wanted to show everyone who the 1Ks are. With allowing other elites to use the blue carpet, an elite phone line (though there might be a 1K desk) and no priority for meal orders, there is less of a fuss being made. As with all other FFs making the decision whether or not to stick with UA, each 1K needs to decide if these changes are enough to make them want to look elsewhere. Continuing to throw stones at the new airline just because it's not the old product isn't helping anyone.

chinatraderjmr

Where are FULL F passengers on this list?? If I was a non MP member paying thousands of dollars for my ticket I would damn well expect my first choice. UA needs to make sure full fare is not lumped in with "all other revenue". The pmUA way was full fare passengers on domestic flights were grouped with 1K's and on 3 class international, the CS agents would hand write who was full fare so the F/A's knew

UA-NYC

Yes, because the AA meal order policy alone clearly defines their level of respect for their elites

Comparison makes zero sense

andrewwm

Well which is it - meal choices given to elites first are an important benefit, in which case AA is disrespecting their elites, or meal choices aren't really that important, in which case this whole thing was a tempest in a teapot?

UA-NYC

False equivalency. Never a part of the full FF program package for AA. And I think UA selling TODs and continuing to lie about it is a bit more disrespectful than AA not offering 1st meal choice.

Seat 1F

Because many of them do/did act like over-entitled elites. One only need to read a few of these threads to see that pretty clearly. My 1MM miles status came primarily from flying UA pre-merger, so I know of what I speak.

As far as the prioritization of meal taking goes, I don't think it's necessary at all....but I do understand it has been re-introduced to satisfy the PMUA elites. Based on the jubilant reactions of this thread, they are thrilled UA has caved in on this one as its an incredibly important issue.

SFOFastAir

I just want provide a little fact on this thread.

On the FA paperwork there is a section that outlines cutormer status level
Then for each of the premimum cabins there is a list of all customers; their sear assignment, the status level, destination and a line to note drink and meal. There is also a section that lists United 1K in United Economy. There is nothing to denote fare basis.

chinatraderjmr

I flew DL the other day for the first time in years. I am not a DL Skymiles member or member if any Sky Team program. I took the flight cuz it was the only non stop on this route. I also paid full F for my ticket. I'm certainly no "Kayaker" although IMO Kayakers are smarter then almost everyone here sunce they book by price or have no idea who would rather make 3 stops instead if going non stop just to get a few miles. I expected my first choice for the simple fact THST I paid full F for my seat AFAIC anyone paying full F deserves their first choice

channa

But you're taking only one aspect of the entire Elite value proposition.
If you pick it out as a single, standalone item, it seems trivial. But in a year of devaluations on practically every level -- product, technology, service, program, upgrades, petc. -- it's another straw.

AA and DL do not have the status recognition problems that CO had/new UA has. I think that AA EXPs and DL Diamonds probably feel well-treated and more valued than UA 1Ks these days. If UA 1Ks upgrades were clearing as well as AA's, and IRROPS were being handled like AA EXP's, and there weren't regular technology glitches or lengthy hassles due to poor technology, I think more people would have just let the meal choice issue go.

I could care less about meal choice. Though I think this policy restoration is one of the most positive things we've seen in a while because it sets the correct tone with on-board staff.

andrewwm

So meal choices aren't really that important. Glad we have that cleared up.

If you're angry about TODs, fine. But this is not a TOD thread.

I can see this. I fly United probably as much as you do so I am well aware of what has been going on. But the level of hyperventilating about this issue in meal choice threads does not equal how important I think this issue actually is. The fact that everyone gets all worked up about it and say they're taking their business to AA because of it is just silly to me.

I'd prefer that the staff just be trained to treat all customers with warmth and kindness, not just the elites. Why is it unreasonable to ask for good service for all instead of just good service for some?

Some of my most embarrassing experiences on the old UA was being treated well while watching ordinary folks being treated like dirt by the same staff.

TomA

OK. They are not--obviously--1Ks or GSs, because that would trump anyway. So yes, I guess they could be full fare F flyers of some lower status, but people that are regularly paying for full fare F are typically GS. Those who are not will be relatively uncommon. You're being a bit picky.

channa

Your post proves exactly why a Full F pax should not get special treatment. You just admitted that you, "took the flight cuz it was the only non stop on this route."

Meal choice or any other perk, amenity, or consideration is not going to sway you one way or another. I posted above that paid F pax are usually busy travellers where time/schedule is of the essence. Had DL not had the nonstop, but AA had, you would have been on AA -- meal choice, meal quality, etc., wouldn't make a difference.

You are exactly the kind of customer that CO is used to catering to -- one who has no choices.