Disappointed with lack of pre-departure beverage (PDB) & other experiences
Jan 17, 2017, 11:39 am
#136
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,258
This is the first time I have seen this thread. I cannot believe people complain about not getting a PDB. You just got on the plane, you couldn't take 30 seconds to pickup a drink before getting on the plane? This falls into the same class as people that get on the plane, then immediately go into the lavatory....
I pay extra (sometimes a great deal extra) OF MY OWN MONEY to receive First Class service as it's described and promised in United's marketing literature (that includes a PDB). I cannot believe that you think it is unreasonable for me to be upset that when I don't receive it. If you ordered a luxury car, and they delivered it without wheels or a windshield, would you just suck it up and take it?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 17, 2017 at 3:27 pm Reason: Quote updated to reflect Moderator edit
Jan 17, 2017, 11:50 am
#137
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Tampa
Programs: UA Global Services and 3MM, Lifetime Hilton Diamond/Marriott Titanium Ambassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 250
Jan 17, 2017, 11:53 am
#138
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: UA 1.5mm, *gold, AA - P, Marriot Titanium
Posts: 71
No, I don't drink alcohol. Even if I did, I wouldn't worry about needing a drink prior to takeoff .
If it were that important to me, I would ask for the drink.
If it were that important to me, I would ask for the drink.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 17, 2017 at 3:19 pm Reason: unneeded comment removed
Jan 17, 2017, 1:14 pm
#139
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: NEXUS, UA Club
Posts: 641
This is the first time I have seen this thread. I cannot believe people complain about not getting a PDB. You just got on the plane, you couldn't take 30 seconds to pickup a drink before getting on the plane? This falls into the same class as people that get on the plane, then immediately go into the lavatory....
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 17, 2017 at 3:28 pm Reason: Quote updated to reflect Moderator edit; Discuss the issues, not the posters
Jan 17, 2017, 3:25 pm
#140
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Moderator Note
Everyone is free to have their opinions and express it BUT we will do this in a friendly, civil manner. Attacking the members / posters in this forum is not allowed.
Attacking, overly personal comments have been removed. Future similiar comments will lead to the entire post being removed and further actions if needed.
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
And
Everyone is free to have their opinions and express it BUT we will do this in a friendly, civil manner. Attacking the members / posters in this forum is not allowed.
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UA coModerator
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Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 17, 2017 at 3:51 pm Reason: postscript
Jan 19, 2017, 5:33 pm
#141
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,660
No PDB today on a EMB-170, SLC-DEN. FA's seemed to have plenty of time to chat with each other though. Did take orders for drinks during the flight, which we were at least 30 minutes in the air before she finally served us. Slim pickings for snacks, the couple bags of potato chips were gone by the time she got to row 2.
Feb 3, 2017, 11:47 am
#142
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA GS, UA 2MM, HH LT Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,803
5443 SAN LAX, no PDB offered and boarding took 30 min. FA spent entire boarding chatting/flirting with pilots. Poor service IMO
Mar 5, 2017, 6:03 pm
#143
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,613
This is NOT a complaint, it's a question.
I flew UA 44 IAH-IAD up front today, sitting in a middle seat on a 764. Before departure, I saw one very pleasant FA walk down the aisle taking PBD orders from pax sitting in the KL seats. Another very pleasant FA walked down the aisle with a tray filled with a variety of PDBs for pax sitting in the ABD seats.
Does UA have standards for its FAs when it comes to delivery of service, or do they just let staff make things up as they go along?
I flew UA 44 IAH-IAD up front today, sitting in a middle seat on a 764. Before departure, I saw one very pleasant FA walk down the aisle taking PBD orders from pax sitting in the KL seats. Another very pleasant FA walked down the aisle with a tray filled with a variety of PDBs for pax sitting in the ABD seats.
Does UA have standards for its FAs when it comes to delivery of service, or do they just let staff make things up as they go along?
Mar 5, 2017, 6:57 pm
#144
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,971
Well, I was on a ERJ175 1 hour short hop the other day. They announced a 1 hour delay because of incoming crew 20 minutes before scheduled departure time. So, a lot of people were upset already.
The guy in front of me claimed he flies only paid F and he is an AA CK. He went on and on about how bad UA is (AA was sold out, he said). I even felt I had to defend UA's honor
Then a few people behind me in group 1, this guy heckled the crew when they showed up.
Anyway, both them ended up sitting together in row 3. I think in a quick turn, the FAs are not obligated to serve the PDB. However, the FA did but had to stop after the first 2 rows when we were ready to depart.
Then the guy who heckled the FA started yelling "I want my drink. This is unprofessional!" The Y FA, who seemed more seasoned, told the guy there would be no drink as we had to leave.
Then he yelled "I am going to write United. They are going to give me a certificate or miles..." Prior to that, this guy also used the F word twice and the S word once in the conversation with the AA CK.
Boy the AA guy must think we are crazy
The guy in front of me claimed he flies only paid F and he is an AA CK. He went on and on about how bad UA is (AA was sold out, he said). I even felt I had to defend UA's honor
Then a few people behind me in group 1, this guy heckled the crew when they showed up.Anyway, both them ended up sitting together in row 3. I think in a quick turn, the FAs are not obligated to serve the PDB. However, the FA did but had to stop after the first 2 rows when we were ready to depart.
Then the guy who heckled the FA started yelling "I want my drink. This is unprofessional!" The Y FA, who seemed more seasoned, told the guy there would be no drink as we had to leave.
Then he yelled "I am going to write United. They are going to give me a certificate or miles..." Prior to that, this guy also used the F word twice and the S word once in the conversation with the AA CK.
Boy the AA guy must think we are crazy
Mar 5, 2017, 7:21 pm
#145
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: CoUniHound 1K 1MM, AA EXP 2MM, DL Plat, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,625
LOL - over on AA unicorns are more common than PDBs
Mar 6, 2017, 8:36 am
#146
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: UA Platinum, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 873
This is NOT a complaint, it's a question.
I flew UA 44 IAH-IAD up front today, sitting in a middle seat on a 764. Before departure, I saw one very pleasant FA walk down the aisle taking PBD orders from pax sitting in the KL seats. Another very pleasant FA walked down the aisle with a tray filled with a variety of PDBs for pax sitting in the ABD seats.
Does UA have standards for its FAs when it comes to delivery of service, or do they just let staff make things up as they go along?
I flew UA 44 IAH-IAD up front today, sitting in a middle seat on a 764. Before departure, I saw one very pleasant FA walk down the aisle taking PBD orders from pax sitting in the KL seats. Another very pleasant FA walked down the aisle with a tray filled with a variety of PDBs for pax sitting in the ABD seats.
Does UA have standards for its FAs when it comes to delivery of service, or do they just let staff make things up as they go along?
Apr 20, 2017, 8:37 pm
#147
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
No problem getting one on UA 6060 RDU-IAH last Saturday even though I boarded fairly late. Always like when that happens.
Apr 20, 2017, 11:42 pm
#148
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Seoul
Programs: None anymore
Posts: 983
I've been told PDB's don't get offered on some international flights due to tax reasons?? Like if drinks are opened on the ground then they have to pay tax. I never get a mixed drink in ICN for this reason. Has anyone else?
Apr 21, 2017, 2:51 am
#149
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,337
Never heard of this before about ICN. I have never flown out of ICN on UA, but I have done Korean Air, Asiana and Air China, and had no probliem getting PDB champange. However, I do note bubbly is not a mixed drink, but I think the principle applies.
Apr 21, 2017, 8:24 am
#150
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 163
Most foreign airlines will serve different (prosecco instead of Champagne), limited, or no alcoholic drinks on the ground in the US to avoid certain taxes.