Disappointed with lack of pre-departure beverage (PDB) & other experiences
#46
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Syd
Programs: UA 1k 1MM, VA G
Posts: 886
100% pdb of any type for me this year
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: TPA for now. Hopefully LIS for retirement
Posts: 13,637
Probably a dumb question, but has anyone ever tried to tip a flight attendant, say $5 or so? I mentioned it up-thread, and then happened to see a reference the other day on one of those articles about FA "confessions". The quoted FA said that she provided better service to passengers who tipped.
So is tipping something that ever actually happens on planes?
So is tipping something that ever actually happens on planes?
#48
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA 1K, EL Al ???, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 182
Has anyone else ever been told that alcoholic PDB's are prohibited? Is that just an excuse by lazy FA?
#50
Join Date: Jul 2013
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#53
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
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#54
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Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
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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.
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.
#55
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 297
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.
#56
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
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Have you been doing more sCO flights? That is IME common with the sCO crews. Beverage with meal, not before.
#57
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Indianapolis
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, HH Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 383
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.
#58
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,068
I can't recall having missed any this year at all.
#59
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 14,924
34 segments YTD. 34 PDPs. Probably 50% pmCO, 50% pmUA. Missed beverages are an aberration. That's all.
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4me
Posts: 11,957
I've yet to encounter the lack of PDB. OTOH, I've recently encountered no hot towel service before lunch.