SFO777

I agree that all pax should be treated the same. Jumping around the cabin strikes me as strange and a tad unprofessional. There are better ways to accomplish the same thing. AA uses the FEBO system, which most kettles don't know about. This lets elites select seats to insure first choices. And AA now lets every F pax (elite or not) pre-select meal choices, though that function does require an intelligent IT system.

airboss

Now that sounds like someone who gets upgraded to the 4th row in first class, and when they get to him, all the shrimp, fish, and crab salad are gone, so it is the apology and the "chateaubriand". Cold steak is not so bad, but 4 flights in 2 weeks, it gets a little boring.

It was, of course, better than noodles and peas in economy. As you have guessed by now, this was in the old days, when you did not have to buy your food on board.

Kacee

Well the current policy is GS>1K>everyone else. The FAs are supposed to take orders by row and prioritize orders in the galley. So complain all you like about what UA "should" do -- those are the rules as they actually are.

seanp7

I'll bite.

I don't think this is the intention, but no matter which way you look at it, someone in FC is inferior to someone else. Yes, same class, but the value of the customer differs, there's the full fare vs upgrade piece, GS/1K, etc. All of these distinctions make it unavoidable, regardless of whether different treatment is visible.

Not feasible in 2013 and with the new operating model. Who knows what algorithm they use to determine who typically wants a cheeseburger (puke) vs a salad, anyway.

In full agreement. Yet to see it consistently applied, though.

Based on my response to #2, those that value meal selections will often feel inferior. (Heck, most of us are made to feel inferior during the boarding process). Me? If my meal choice is not available, I might be disappointed but I never feel inferior - those with the appropriate status got offered what I wanted, and it ran out. The sky doesn't fall for me.

SuperFlyBoy

As I remember, the way PMCO crew (exCONs) do it is that they take all orders front to back (asking for a second meal choice at times), then if the first choice of the non-elite is not available, they will go back and advise the first choice is not available.

This is more unobtrusive and equitable, IMO.

However, I think it does stroke the ego of elites as us when we are approached first, but the PMCO method ends up with the same result.

I fly only PMCO routes aside from LH flights, so this is what I have experienced recently.

astroflyer

I agree...this is what used to be done. Now it's super weird seeing them asking a few people for meal choices and then coming back through. I also try to be helpful by indicating to the FA when I don't have a strong preference. If I'm indifferent, I'd rather someone who cares a lot about the choice is happy.

Baze

And that Joe Schmoe might be the next person who buys a car everytime he comes in but you chose to not rush towards him so he goes elsewhere and makes that company a ton of money. You should treat everyone like they are going to buy a car that trip just like airlines should treat everyone with respect and make them want to come back to UA. Doesn't mean you can't give extra to the proven fliers (or car buyers) but you don't ignore them or put them off because they are not proven. You never know, that person sitting there or kicking the tires, just might be trying you out to make a huge corporate decision to steer business your way.

uber1K_Flyer

Agree wholeheartedly with this. I remember when the purser used to come through with a note for every GS and 1K traveler on international flights in First or Business - it was pretty simple and said exactly what the paper did - thanks for flying with us. Seriously, we have choices (and many, like myself, have been choosing away from United more and more) and United appreciates that we chose to fly them instead of someone else.

There is a side of me that agrees that everyone in First deserves a similar level of service, but as long as United boards a limited number of what everyone wants for a meal, then some priority is needed. Personally, I don't care how they prioritize, just so its consistent so that I can adjust my travels appropriately. If its gonna be front to back, I'll select a seat slightly more to the front if I really care what the meal is going to be. Its the inconsistency and complete lack of logic combined with the continued downgrade of service at every turn that really is turning the frequent fliers away from United.

Indelaware

I find no value whatsoever in E+. Yes, I pick the seat closest to the exit to make deplaning easier, but I'd have no problem if they gave everyone an equal opportunity to snag such seats and I would have no problem if they eliminated E+ seating; while others clearly disagree I think that this was the one piece of pmUA that should have been jettisoned. Or for that matter,I'd have no problem if the airlines were to eliminate F/C seats which I do routinely turn down in favor of anyone of lessor means who I think may value it; with the right word to GA one can easily get an elderly first time flyer who has obviously led a hard life move up from the rear where I am more than happy to sit. As to boarding, I tend to either board last or just saunter into line randomly.

I've said it before, I will say it again: FF plans are useful for getting free travel, seating and other inequities are neither, IMO, desirable nor wanted.

Baze

Just because you don't desire or want them doesn't mean others don't either. I value E+ immensely as I have long legs. The extra legroom is one of the reasons I stick with United along with route network.

And based on your posting I would assume you are shorter in stature so legroom is not an issue with you and only have a carryon that would fit under the seat in front of you so overhead storage is not an issue with you.

anc-ord772

There's a lot of high level thinking on this thread about class and fairness, etc.

For me, I like UNITED asking me for my meal choice. As a 1K, I don't want to worry about where I sit in order to avoid eating the same meal I might have had the last 6 times in a row in the last two weeks. It just makes this loyal to UNITED frequent travelers life easier.

It's not a put down on other people, but it's an easy thing to do that I appreciate. Just ask everyone first and second choice, sort it in the galley and call it a day IMO.

Indelaware

I am of normal height. E+ may be of value to those with extra long legs. However, that is not a reason to provide them to people based on the number of miles they fly; they should be provided to people based on the length of their legs, be such people flying UA 365 days per year or once in a lifetime.

Baze

But you know as well as I do that would never happen. E+ is a good revenue generator UA. And they decided to give it free as a perk to Elites. But even that is diminishing as in the case of Silvers not getting it free until check in time. But I know plenty of short people who value E+ as it gives them more room with their laptop to work and not worry as much about the seat in front reclining into their screen and damaging it.

mkr

How would you like the following for a greeting from flight attendant? On a recent flight a FA in First Class I had seen before says to me "Oh, you're on here again?" The tone in her voice was confusing. I did not really know this person well. I had seen her, but did not know her name. I did not really know how to take her remark. The service during the flight was not exceptional and she did not go out of her way to make conversation. I try to be pleasant to the FAs & could not remember any unpleasant situation with this person. But perhaps she had a different perception, or had me confused with another person. Anyway, I think she should have chosen different words & I definitely did not feel appreciated.

cbchicago

I would like UALto make the one choice great and forget about having two bad choices.