Disappointed with lack of pre-departure beverage (PDB) & other experiences
Jan 5, 2015, 6:49 am
#31
Join Date: Apr 2011
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I've found the oopposite to be true, with CO FAs capitalizing on the delay and skipping pre-departs, while UA FAs are so afraid because Jeff wants to fire them all, they find a way to do it.
I've found the oopposite to be true, with CO FAs capitalizing on the delay and skipping pre-departs, while UA FAs are so afraid because Jeff wants to fire them all, they find a way to do it.
That is a bold move, my friend.
Jan 5, 2015, 7:15 am
#32
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Morris County, NJ
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Posts: 2,305
Jan 6, 2015, 5:28 pm
#33
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: USA
Programs: SA Air, Air Canada, KLM, BA,Lufthansa, United, AA, Hawaiian, Air New Zealnd, Qantas, Virgin Atlantic
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From the responses, you'd think PDBs are hardly ever served. FWIW, my experience being offered a PDB is over 90%....easily. I actually can't think of a mainline flight in last 2 years w/o being offered one. I'm not going to start a thread because I don't get it once.
Being a LAS origination, are we sure it's not a case of the 7 passengers already having more than enough PDBs, just not on the plane
?
Being a LAS origination, are we sure it's not a case of the 7 passengers already having more than enough PDBs, just not on the plane
?
Jan 6, 2015, 9:29 pm
#34
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: IAH / HOU
Programs: UA GS, DL-Plat, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Somethingist, Marriott Titanium Lifetime
Posts: 2,853
I guess I have been lucky. I flew about 80 UA segments in F this year and did not miss a single PDB. I did have to fly in coach on a CRJ-700 for two and a half hours once, though. I would have traded a few PDBs for an upgrade on that one.
Jan 6, 2015, 11:18 pm
#35
Used to be 'TheManWhoFlewTooMuch'
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO, SAN
Programs: United 1K 2MM, Delta Diamond emeritus, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, Hertz President's Circle
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I was really surprised (and impressed) on a ps flight from JFK-SFO on December 28th. When offered a PDB, I asked for a cognac and the FA asked "would you like for me to heat it up for you?" He brought me warm cognac in a heated glass as a PDB; and then during the flight he kept bringing them until I passed out. 
Jan 6, 2015, 11:47 pm
#36
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976
Our United flight LAS-IAH on 12/31/14 was about 3 hours late. No big deal, I actually like modern airports and have no problem entertaining myself walking around, looking in shops, reading, etc.
Once boarded, the usual offer of beverage (we choose orange juice) before take off never happened. There was no beverage until after the "dinner" was served.
DH had the dinner, I declined. We eventually each got a small glass of orange juice well into the flight.
The emailed survey from United was definitely filled out and sent.
Once boarded, the usual offer of beverage (we choose orange juice) before take off never happened. There was no beverage until after the "dinner" was served.
DH had the dinner, I declined. We eventually each got a small glass of orange juice well into the flight.
The emailed survey from United was definitely filled out and sent.
The good news was I was asked for my meal choice (only GS on flight) before anyone else as I was in the last row of F (5F). By the time the FA got to Row 4, she had run out of the salad, so everyone received the sandwich.
Jan 7, 2015, 10:49 am
#37
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: UA Plat, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 677
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?
Jan 7, 2015, 11:01 am
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: San Francisco/Tel Aviv/YYZ
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On the (delayed) SJU-IAD yesterday, no predeparts at all, not even water
then we sat in the PB for another 40 minutes waiting for them to resolve a computer issue.
then we sat in the PB for another 40 minutes waiting for them to resolve a computer issue.
Jan 7, 2015, 11:44 am
#39
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I was really surprised (and impressed) on a ps flight from JFK-SFO on December 28th. When offered a PDB, I asked for a cognac and the FA asked "would you like for me to heat it up for you?" He brought me warm cognac in a heated glass as a PDB; and then during the flight he kept bringing them until I passed out.
That is more shocking to me then anything.
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?
Jan 13, 2015, 2:56 pm
#40
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
MTJ-ORD CRJ700
Screwdriver PDB
*Sat on runway for 2 hours, returned to gate and deplaned for about 30 min*
Screwdriver PDB once reboarded
ORD-LGA A319
Screwdriver PDB at 2:30am (flight scheduled 8pm)
Screwdriver PDB
*Sat on runway for 2 hours, returned to gate and deplaned for about 30 min*
Screwdriver PDB once reboarded
ORD-LGA A319
Screwdriver PDB at 2:30am (flight scheduled 8pm)
Jan 13, 2015, 3:00 pm
#41
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
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Posts: 3,301
FWIW, I'm batting around 95% for PDB service. I guess I should consider myself lucky.
Jan 13, 2015, 3:02 pm
#42
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: KEWR
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond, SPG/Marriott Gold, Hyatt Plat, National Exec, GE/Nexus
Posts: 501
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?
Jan 13, 2015, 3:41 pm
#43
Join Date: May 2006
Location: STL
Programs: UA Platinum, AA Platinum Pro, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,429
Jan 13, 2015, 4:48 pm
#44
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: UA Plat, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 677
I have read several accounts in this forum of people giving FA's chocolates, etc., so maybe it is just cash that is prohibited.
Jan 13, 2015, 6:18 pm
#45
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: UA 1k, US Airways Silver, SPG PLT, Marriot Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 536
Never had any issues getting a PDB, delay or not.
I've been on these forums enough to know UA has bad service, but frankly I haven't experienced bad service up front in all my flying. Maybe my bar is too low
I've been on these forums enough to know UA has bad service, but frankly I haven't experienced bad service up front in all my flying. Maybe my bar is too low