Disappointed with lack of pre-departure beverage (PDB) & other experiences
Aug 16, 2015, 10:24 am
#61
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: SAN
Programs: AS MVP 100K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite, UA 1MM,
Posts: 1,710
I have experienced this too. Beverage with meal. MAYBE an offer for a refill as they pick up the tray, then nothing. Just wrote in to 1Kvoice about a solid two hours where we never saw the FAs in the F class cabin. When using the restroom, both FAs were in the galley reading. One with his feet way up on the catering cart and a newspaper spread wide. I wanted to take a pic, but knew this is a big no-no. Yes, they were sCO and yes, I can see a huge difference in the crew training. And I know others can clearly see the difference with these crews based on the conversations I have had with others.
Aug 16, 2015, 11:06 am
#62
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
I have experienced this too. Beverage with meal. MAYBE an offer for a refill as they pick up the tray, then nothing. Just wrote in to 1Kvoice about a solid two hours where we never saw the FAs in the F class cabin. When using the restroom, both FAs were in the galley reading. One with his feet way up on the catering cart and a newspaper spread wide. I wanted to take a pic, but knew this is a big no-no. Yes, they were sCO and yes, I can see a huge difference in the crew training. And I know others can clearly see the difference with these crews based on the conversations I have had with others.
Aug 16, 2015, 1:54 pm
#63
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: msp
Programs: AA PLT 3MM, DL PM 2MM
Posts: 1,142
Legacy's and PDB
I fly all three majors depending on $$$ and schedule.
DL definitely 100%
UA very good. Maybe 70%+
AA poor. OJ or water if lucky but occasionally PDB with an enthusiastic FA
DL definitely 100%
UA very good. Maybe 70%+
AA poor. OJ or water if lucky but occasionally PDB with an enthusiastic FA
Aug 16, 2015, 3:00 pm
#64
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: GS UA+3MM
Posts: 265
On long flights, SFO<>FRA, sometimes the staff will go missing for hours.
Other times I have had water topped up at least hourly.
Kind of random. But usually they come by at an acceptable level.
Aug 16, 2015, 3:36 pm
#65
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,044
My experience on long INTL flights is that after the meal service the crew will provide a bottle of water to passengers up front.
Aug 16, 2015, 5:50 pm
#66
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
They also provide a bottle in the back. Well, mini bottle, smaller than what you'd get at a convenience store.
Ya, decided to save my devalued miles and flew in coach from PRG (via GVA on sUA).
Nov 25, 2015, 3:01 pm
#68
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA Premier Gold, Starwood Gold, Plat AE, CO PP MC, Marriott Rewards Plat, Virgin Elevate Gold
Posts: 1,416
Any guesses as to why no pre-flight drinks in F
MCO-LAX. FLight boarded early, no issues. Doors were closed about 10 minutes before scheduled departure.
FA were pretty good the rest of the way.
No pre-flight drinks though, and I forgot to ask why
Usually dont want to appear as a DYKWIA
FA were pretty good the rest of the way.
No pre-flight drinks though, and I forgot to ask why
Usually dont want to appear as a DYKWIA
Nov 25, 2015, 3:56 pm
#69
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,703
Several flights in a row, sometimes they don't try.
Nov 25, 2015, 4:51 pm
#70
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
We were not the FAs on the flight. You had every opportunity to ask for a drink. Not sure what our guesses can accomplish.
Nov 25, 2015, 5:41 pm
#71
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K MM, DL Diamond, NK Gold, Mariott LT Plat/Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold
Posts: 925
ORD-EWR boarded early. Everyone seated 15 minutes before door closed. No PDB. I asked for one and was told "I'll get you in the air." Gee. Thanks.
Nov 28, 2015, 1:07 pm
#72
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
I've done well on United this year. Of the 8 flights I flew in F, 7 featured full PDBs and one was water only. That's better than DL and far better than AA.
Nov 28, 2015, 2:22 pm
#73
Join Date: May 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, WN A+, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Amb, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,129
Earlier this week, a PDB was offered, but very limited selections. I asked for a vodka soda and was told there was no vodka upfront (only in the back galley) because the flight hadn't been re-catered. According to the app, the aircraft had arrived nearly 20 hours before. Asked for buffalo trace, but was told that was also in the back of the aircraft. Settled for water while we completed boarding 15 minutes early and sat parked at the gate while the FAs chatted. Received my choice of beverage once airborne.
Dec 15, 2015, 11:17 am
#74
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
2 for 2 yesterday (320 and a CR7) on full PDBs. All UA flights this year have had PDBs, all but one were full (the one that wasn't was just water).
Dec 15, 2015, 12:26 pm
#75
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Florida
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Ambassador, Hilton Gold
Posts: 673
I received PDB's on almost every flight this year, (even a few RJ's with 2 rounds!), with a couple being OJ or water only. However a week-ish ago I had my non-experience with PDB's leaving TPA to IAD- the GA announced that we were "flying with a very punctual crew today" and they wanted to board 15 minutes early so we could leave. So the corralled everyone up, we board, and push back about 15 minutes early (after boarding had already been completed for 8 or 10 minutes).
In that entire time, no PDB of any sort, not even water. I've never been one to profile or comment on crews on this forum (because almost all of my experiences are good or great) but this crew announced themselves as a EWR based, and based on the mannerisms and tonality of the lead FA, it was quite obvious. Was honestly the only poor experience I've had this year. This is the same crew that did only one round of drinks and disappeared the rest of the flight. For the first time ever I rang my call button because I was under the weather and needed more water... the look I got when she came to ask what I needed was quite pleasant
In that entire time, no PDB of any sort, not even water. I've never been one to profile or comment on crews on this forum (because almost all of my experiences are good or great) but this crew announced themselves as a EWR based, and based on the mannerisms and tonality of the lead FA, it was quite obvious. Was honestly the only poor experience I've had this year. This is the same crew that did only one round of drinks and disappeared the rest of the flight. For the first time ever I rang my call button because I was under the weather and needed more water... the look I got when she came to ask what I needed was quite pleasant