Disappointed with lack of pre-departure beverage (PDB) & other experiences
Oct 3, 2019, 9:10 am
#377
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AA EXP, HH Diamond, MR Gold, Avis PC, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,252
I'm a bit late, but no PDB on NRT-EWR on 9/23. Nothing out of the ordinary with boarding, so not sure why it wasn't offered. The rest of the service actually ended up being fine, or maybe my expectations were lowered given the shaky start.
Oct 3, 2019, 11:26 am
#378
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 6,020
A gripe that I have with UA regional F is the lack of meals. Often times I’ve got 60 to 90 min rides on UX to hubs like ORD and EWR and all I get is a snack basket. Meanwhile flying AC J last week from YYZ to PHL (75 min flight) I got this:
In fairness they do have a point most people from Europe and the Americas don’t know how to board and deplane an airplane. I would encourage you to watch carefully how your fellow travellers board. Some struggle to figure out how to place their bag in the overhead bin, others can’t figure out where their seat is on the airplane, etc. As a result we’ve got crowded aisles and delayed boarding. Contrast that with Asia and NH being able to board a 777 in 15 minutes. We’re lucky for it to take that long to board a CRJ!
Safe Travels,
James
In fairness they do have a point most people from Europe and the Americas don’t know how to board and deplane an airplane. I would encourage you to watch carefully how your fellow travellers board. Some struggle to figure out how to place their bag in the overhead bin, others can’t figure out where their seat is on the airplane, etc. As a result we’ve got crowded aisles and delayed boarding. Contrast that with Asia and NH being able to board a 777 in 15 minutes. We’re lucky for it to take that long to board a CRJ!
Safe Travels,
James
Oct 3, 2019, 11:31 am
#379
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
The tickets on that route are not cheap and one should expect a nice PDB. I would make a stink about that
Oct 3, 2019, 11:52 am
#380
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP. Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,134
No PDB today UA 945 FRA-ORD. Slight delay due to inbound, but no big deal. Could have at least offered water. When asked the answer was “we’ll start our service shortly after takeoff.”
Oct 3, 2019, 2:12 pm
#382
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cape Cod MA
Programs: GS, 3 MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 752
I was on the same NRT to EWR on 9/23 but I think this is a pattern. On my ORD to FRA on Saturday no PDB and ditto on the return. Importantly every recent international flight comes up empty when requesting a glass of Colgnac. I don't understand why they advertise its availability yet I have seen it only once any of the flights I have taken last month.
Oct 4, 2019, 11:16 am
#383
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AA EXP, HH Diamond, MR Gold, Avis PC, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,252
I was on the same NRT to EWR on 9/23 but I think this is a pattern. On my ORD to FRA on Saturday no PDB and ditto on the return. Importantly every recent international flight comes up empty when requesting a glass of Colgnac. I don't understand why they advertise its availability yet I have seen it only once any of the flights I have taken last month.
Oct 28, 2019, 1:41 pm
#384
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: In between
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, SPG/Marriott Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 564
No PDB on UA14 EWR-LHR 22 OCT, nor on the return UA15 28 OCT. Boarding happened on time and without issue on both flights, but not even a hint of a PDB. Really underwhelmed with the J service on the 763 all around; there’s very little “premium” about the experience. If it weren’t for the option of a quick shower on arrival, I’d be just as well off sitting in PE.
Oct 28, 2019, 2:50 pm
#385
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC, Global Entry, CLEAR
Posts: 285
Late to post this, but no PDB on UA339 DEN-SEA on Oct. 11. This was probably exacerbated by the fact that the purser didn't even realize she was the purser for the flight until door closed...
Nov 7, 2019, 12:59 pm
#386
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA GS, UA 2MM, HH LT Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,803
DEN-IAD today. No PDB offered and an extremely rushed service did not start until 55 minutes after take-off. Weather wasn’t a factor as it was smooth sailing all the way until final at IAD. The two FC FAs sent most of the boarding period chatting in the galley.
I had a mimosa with breakfast and ordered a second when I was able to get her attention to she told “we are out of bubbles”.
I had a mimosa with breakfast and ordered a second when I was able to get her attention to she told “we are out of bubbles”.
Last edited by limey1K; Nov 7, 2019 at 1:06 pm
Nov 7, 2019, 3:53 pm
#387
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC, Global Entry, CLEAR
Posts: 285
DEN-IAD today. No PDB offered and an extremely rushed service did not start until 55 minutes after take-off. Weather wasn’t a factor as it was smooth sailing all the way until final at IAD. The two FC FAs sent most of the boarding period chatting in the galley.
I had a mimosa with breakfast and ordered a second when I was able to get her attention to she told “we are out of bubbles”.
I had a mimosa with breakfast and ordered a second when I was able to get her attention to she told “we are out of bubbles”.
Nov 14, 2019, 8:07 am
#388
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
YYZ-IAD (10:05 am departure) on E175. No PDB was served. However, the FA took drink order before airborne. Is there a time restriction for serving drinks at YYZ?
Nov 14, 2019, 9:49 am
#390
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: TPA
Programs: United MP
Posts: 463
UA1680 IAH-TPA last Friday (11/8)
No PDB despite a 30 minute delay once we were onboard, maintenance was working in the cargo hold, so they certainly had time!
Just the snack basket (although that is typical catering on that route)
No PDB despite a 30 minute delay once we were onboard, maintenance was working in the cargo hold, so they certainly had time!
Just the snack basket (although that is typical catering on that route)