"There's too many of you to do a beverage service"
May 16, 2013, 6:35 pm
#18
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: RIC
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 3,387
I had a similar sCO crew experience on IAD-LAX a few weeks back.
No pre-departure beverages, lots of giggling and joking-teling in the front galley ... FA brought a friend brought into F at the last minute with a cocktail napkin note telling him to not tell anyone he sat there ... I definitely reported her. I received a gracious response the next day thanking me for the detailed description of the offender and the circumstances.
No pre-departure beverages, lots of giggling and joking-teling in the front galley ... FA brought a friend brought into F at the last minute with a cocktail napkin note telling him to not tell anyone he sat there ... I definitely reported her. I received a gracious response the next day thanking me for the detailed description of the offender and the circumstances.
May 16, 2013, 6:47 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,230
Lil Abner's Year to Date Premier Segments: 87
Lil Abner's Year to Date Premier Miles: 112,819
Lil Abner's total experiences in steerage for 2013: 3
Lil Abner's total upgrades for 2013: 84
Lil Abner's total times NOT receiving pre-departure drinks: once maybe twice
Reasons for NOT getting a drink while boarding: Delayed flight and they were in a hurry to get the plane loaded and on its way.
# of times I felt that was being screwed for not getting something to drink during pre-departure: 0 out of 1 or 2 times
# of times that I just wished that people who don't have the foggiest idea how to put their excess crap in the overheads and sit their a$$es down and get the hell out of the aisle: Every time!
# of times I wished that the f/a would use the mic and tell people to move out of the way and forget about pre-departure formalities - Anytime we're running late
# of times I get tired the FT whines re comparison of pmUA vs pmCo service and lack of an early glass of wine: A zillion
# of times I almost puke hearing Smisek's name mentioned on here: Immeasurable as it's Never-Ending!
Lil Abner's Year to Date Premier Miles: 112,819
Lil Abner's total experiences in steerage for 2013: 3
Lil Abner's total upgrades for 2013: 84
Lil Abner's total times NOT receiving pre-departure drinks: once maybe twice
Reasons for NOT getting a drink while boarding: Delayed flight and they were in a hurry to get the plane loaded and on its way.
# of times I felt that was being screwed for not getting something to drink during pre-departure: 0 out of 1 or 2 times
# of times that I just wished that people who don't have the foggiest idea how to put their excess crap in the overheads and sit their a$$es down and get the hell out of the aisle: Every time!
# of times I wished that the f/a would use the mic and tell people to move out of the way and forget about pre-departure formalities - Anytime we're running late
# of times I get tired the FT whines re comparison of pmUA vs pmCo service and lack of an early glass of wine: A zillion
# of times I almost puke hearing Smisek's name mentioned on here: Immeasurable as it's Never-Ending!
May 16, 2013, 7:06 pm
#21
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: W29
Programs: It's Complicated...
Posts: 6,823
I had this many times on UA before the merger...maybe not the exact exchange mentioned but no bev service was pretty common in my experience. I am sure there are some old threads about it in this forum.
May 16, 2013, 7:31 pm
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
Today on my flight to Seattle (which was delayed almost 2 hours), I was seated in First Class and asked for a Diet Coke after giving my coat. I was told "There's too many of you to do a beverage service" on a 737. She had plenty of time to talk with her colleague in the galley. Very pathetic.
May 16, 2013, 7:33 pm
#24
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: LAS, BUD
Programs: UA-1K, Aegean-Gold, TK-Elite, Accor-Platinum, SPG-Gold, Hilton-Gold, Club Carlson-Gold,AMEX-Platinum
Posts: 300
May 16, 2013, 7:50 pm
#25
Formerly known as CollegeFlyer
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: JRA
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA PLT, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 6,716
Great to hear that a FA sees "too many of you" first class passengers as problems to be dealt with (or ignored in this case).
May 16, 2013, 8:22 pm
#26
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: CLE
Programs: CO Gold - 1MM, IC Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,644
IME pre merger on UA, just OJ or Water was "sometimes" offered...reading the thread above it seems that this used to be a common practice for short and long haul flights via UA. I can't say it didn't happen pre merger on CO but even at 6AM ordering a Screwdriver or anything was I rarely told no in F pre departure to any request for a beverage.
To the OP, it would have ticked me off too no matter what crew was on board to then see the FA's chatting it up in the galley. If nothing else they should have at least offered water.
May 16, 2013, 10:56 pm
#27
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: SAN
Programs: AS MVP 100K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite, UA 1MM,
Posts: 1,709
Yes, there are bad apples on every carrier. But on a UA plane with pmUA flight attendants, the glass goes empty and you will likely see a refill within a few moments. A few FAs I have chatted with about this were very aware of the difference and its been discussed at the domiciles frequently apparently.
May 16, 2013, 11:13 pm
#28
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Gold-MM, AA Gold-MM, F9-Silver, Hyatt Something, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,393
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IME pre merger on UA, just OJ or Water was "sometimes" offered...reading the thread above it seems that this used to be a common practice for short and long haul flights via UA. I can't say it didn't happen pre merger on CO but even at 6AM ordering a Screwdriver or anything was I rarely told no in F pre departure to any request for a beverage.
IME pre merger on UA, just OJ or Water was "sometimes" offered...reading the thread above it seems that this used to be a common practice for short and long haul flights via UA. I can't say it didn't happen pre merger on CO but even at 6AM ordering a Screwdriver or anything was I rarely told no in F pre departure to any request for a beverage.
The point is that that was the policy. OJ and H2O. They followed the procedure. (And I saw plenty of people get a different drink, albeit often with a look or a comment....)
CO crews seem to have trouble following policies. PDB is just one example. I'm at less than 50% for CO crews prioritizing 1K meal orders, despite that being the policy for a while now.
May 17, 2013, 12:38 am
#29
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ICT
Programs: AA EXP, UA Plat, DL G, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,330
I'm only 86k miles so far this year, but agree completely with your post! (especially the quoted part).
I'd add: # of threads where SHARES is blamed for shortcomings: all. (i.e OP: My cheeseburger was served cold. Reply: well duh, SHARES strikes again).
and sad 
all at the same time. 