100% pdb of any type for me this year

Tipping is strictly forbidden. Accepting a tip can be a terminable offense.

Has anyone else ever been told that alcoholic PDB's are prohibited? Is that just an excuse by lazy FA?

Never heard that one. Is it possible that the FA thought you were under 21?

Only on some carriers where the booze they open on the ground is taxed. OZ was the only one I've been on but I think there may be another one or two.

Yes I tried to get a PDB Bloody Mary not long ago on UA, and the FA said we don't serve PDB alcohol.

I didn't argue but have received many PDB Bloody Marys.

I was told this in December in the Dominican Republic, I emailed customer care and they said the FA would be retrained sinve PBD were not illegal in that country

There are certain jurisdictions where alcohol may be limited or not allowed on the ground, based on the local law.

I usually don't care about pdb, but....
 

It's about 100 degrees in LA, the AC is barely on, the plane is fully boarded (early).

No FA around.

I walked up front to really nicely ask for water.

In the galley, I found the two FA's taking a selfie. It really irked me, and I got snarky, saying, "are you doing selfies or pre-departure beverages?"

They apologized profusely.

They brought me water. No one else got anything.

IIRC on a recent flight ex-AMS they had PDB wine but not liquor; FA told me that they have to keep the cart locked until departure or they have to pay duty on it. Makes sense to me and I have no problem with that.

Never have been denied an alcoholic PDB (when PDBs offered) in the USA.

No-PDB flights have been the definite exception for me. I was on an ex-BOS flight recently and the FAs announced that it would be a "short taxi" and so no time for PDB. Indeed it was a very short taxi but if they'd really cared they could have squeezed it in by serving during boarding.

I think I've had one other flight this year with no PDB.


I have noticed an increasing number of flights where I don't get anything to drink until the meal is served. In the past I recall it being PDB, then beverage + nuts, then meal and another beverage. Lately I've been getting only PDB and then beverage with meal. Also seems to be a lot longer after takeoff before the nuts are served. Don't know if this is a new policy or just something happening.

Have you been doing more sCO flights? That is IME common with the sCO crews. Beverage with meal, not before.

Twice this year I haven't been served a PDB. Both flights were Mesa from IAD to IND. The second time I was given the excuse that "we don't have time" even though a full 20-25 minutes elapsed from when I was seated to when the door was closed.

I can't recall having missed any this year at all.

34 segments YTD. 34 PDPs. Probably 50% pmCO, 50% pmUA. Missed beverages are an aberration. That's all.

I've yet to encounter the lack of PDB. OTOH, I've recently encountered no hot towel service before lunch.