DEN first class catering issues
Feb 9, 2018, 11:24 pm
#556
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,679
United operates out of Terminal B at DIA. It does require a train ride but it's very quick, 6 or 7 minutes max including wait time to get between B and C.
The bigger wildcard in how long it takes to get from the restaurant in C to your gate actually may be how long it takes to walk from the train in terminal B to your gate, because terminal B is extremely long. They usually put larger planes closer to the center (AKA closer to the train) as the gate areas are larger but a 752 might be out a little farther, depending on gate availability.
I would take the 7 minutes for the train ride and add 5 minutes if your gate is close to the center, maybe 10 if if you have to walk halfway to the end. Very unlikely you'll have to go all the way to the end as those are usually smaller mainline planes or UX flights. There are moving walkways that are usually working but are guaranteed to be out of service if you're counting on them.
The bigger wildcard in how long it takes to get from the restaurant in C to your gate actually may be how long it takes to walk from the train in terminal B to your gate, because terminal B is extremely long. They usually put larger planes closer to the center (AKA closer to the train) as the gate areas are larger but a 752 might be out a little farther, depending on gate availability.
I would take the 7 minutes for the train ride and add 5 minutes if your gate is close to the center, maybe 10 if if you have to walk halfway to the end. Very unlikely you'll have to go all the way to the end as those are usually smaller mainline planes or UX flights. There are moving walkways that are usually working but are guaranteed to be out of service if you're counting on them.
Feb 10, 2018, 3:04 am
#557
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
Seems that everyone is trying to eat at Elway's these days, we got to the airport a over 90 mins before departure and with Clear and PreCheck was on the train and to Elway's rather quickly but they had a "30 to 45 min wait" (it looked packed, including the bar area) so couldn't make that work. As it turned out I had a large lunch so wasn't super hungry and ended up going to some French place that was ok, not great by any means but not terrible either. Boarding the flight I saw them loading catering including meals and for a second thought...huh did they fix things but it turned out they only had some burger on offer or they were offering F pax a choice from the Y menu snack boxes and the FAs made an announcement about the lack of fresh food. As I had eaten already I passed on the burger, as did most of the cabin, but did get a bag of chips. The FAs were actually really great and I heard them explaining the issue to a couple pax that were confused about why there was only a single choice (hamburger) - in all the service was really good and the crew did a solid job with what they had to work with. That said I'm befuddled by how both AA (LAX) and UA (DEN) cannot unscrew their catering issues after so many months...I get that these are not weekend projects but that these issues persist after 3+ months does make me wonder whose driving the bus because there's really no excuse for how long these Listeria issues have gone on and its not really fair to the FAs who have to deliver the message.
Feb 10, 2018, 7:02 am
#558
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
I wrote in to 1K Voice after one of those inedible undressed burger meals with the prison-style fruit cup and got the following reply today (almost two weeks after I sent my complaint):
Is it worth further follow up? Sounds like they lumped me in with the "didn't like his meal" category and are not recognizing that there is a particular problem out of Denver.
Dear Transportprof:
I'll be happy to assist you.
I'm sorry you were disappointed with the meals served in our First Class cabin on your recent flights. I can only imagine your disappointment as you were looking forward to a pleasant dining experience.
I understand we didn't meet your expectations and I appreciate your constructive comments. I've sent them on to Food Services for review so we can determine how to improve in the future.
Transportprof, we appreciate your business and Premier 1K loyalty; on behalf of our United family, we look forward to welcoming you aboard your next flight.
Regards,
I'll be happy to assist you.
I'm sorry you were disappointed with the meals served in our First Class cabin on your recent flights. I can only imagine your disappointment as you were looking forward to a pleasant dining experience.
I understand we didn't meet your expectations and I appreciate your constructive comments. I've sent them on to Food Services for review so we can determine how to improve in the future.
Transportprof, we appreciate your business and Premier 1K loyalty; on behalf of our United family, we look forward to welcoming you aboard your next flight.
Regards,
Feb 10, 2018, 7:08 am
#559
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,901
My speculation is that the plan is to turn as much of DEN into snack flights as they can get away witth and contract out the rest. The delay is in getting those arrangements in place. We’ll see.
Feb 10, 2018, 9:31 am
#560
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,485
They were probably giving out too many e-certs.
Feb 10, 2018, 11:26 am
#561
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: 1K
Posts: 220
I had a disgusting experience with service in F last week and no response.
Last edited by zdog2x; Feb 10, 2018 at 11:32 am
Feb 10, 2018, 11:27 am
#562
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,011
Any idea if these issues are impacting DEN-NRT? Just curious if there is any issues with their international flight, particularly with DEN-LHR starting in a few months.
Feb 10, 2018, 12:22 pm
#563
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: 66,861
If the former, no followup seems needed but if the latter, then you need to make more noise -- seems the reports of ETCs have dropped off quite a bit, UA may be getting more selective.
UA may also be looking at the number of ETCs an individual has received for this issue.
Feb 10, 2018, 12:49 pm
#564
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,901
reports upthread confirm that NRT is receiving normal catering. I’d expect the same to be true for LHR when that starts.
Feb 10, 2018, 1:48 pm
#565
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,485
Feb 10, 2018, 2:21 pm
#566
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: if it's Thursday, this must be Belgium
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 6,484
Are there any bloggers or Twitter or Instagram feeds that could help bring some public embarrassment to UA on this to move things faster?
Feb 10, 2018, 4:14 pm
#567
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,425
Seems that everyone is trying to eat at Elway's these days, we got to the airport a over 90 mins before departure and with Clear and PreCheck was on the train and to Elway's rather quickly but they had a "30 to 45 min wait" (it looked packed, including the bar area) so couldn't make that work. As it turned out I had a large lunch so wasn't super hungry and ended up going to some French place that was ok
Feb 10, 2018, 4:55 pm
#568
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
What is the objective? To file your dissatisfaction with the DEN catering situation or to get an ETC?
If the former, no followup seems needed but if the latter, then you need to make more noise -- seems the reports of ETCs have dropped off quite a bit, UA may be getting more selective.
UA may also be looking at the number of ETCs an individual has received for this issue.
If the former, no followup seems needed but if the latter, then you need to make more noise -- seems the reports of ETCs have dropped off quite a bit, UA may be getting more selective.
UA may also be looking at the number of ETCs an individual has received for this issue.
Feb 10, 2018, 5:42 pm
#569
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 687
Now that I have Priority Pass, I can get a full meal at Timberline’s Steaks in the other concourse, but if I didn’t have that, and I wanted to eat beforehand, I’d head to Elway’s and ask for Johnathan. His fantastic service will make you want to kick OTG and their iPads to the curb.
Feb 10, 2018, 7:20 pm
#570
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: PWM
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 1,336
