Coat check madness
Jan 16, 2018, 9:29 pm
#31
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Seoul
Programs: None anymore
Posts: 983
That's ridiculous. It's the FA's job to, you know, do their job. Otherwise they should just post up a schedule: Boarding time is 6:05, 6:15 is PDB, 6:17 is coat check, 6:20 we collect your glasses and close the door at 6:22.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 17, 2018 at 12:01 am Reason: discuss the issue, not the poster(s)
Jan 17, 2018, 12:10 am
#32
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NRT / HND
Programs: AA EXP, NH Plat, Former UA 1K
Posts: 5,665
On various airlines, not only UA, I often see them a lot less proactive about taking winter coats than standard business jackets, etc. Always irks me a bit when I'm tossing my coat into the overhead bin while they are taking jackets from other passengers. (usually this is long haul business class, so I'm not actually taking up space others need with my coat, just the lack of the offer that I don't care for.)
Jan 17, 2018, 6:02 am
#33
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: LAX and LHR. UA lifetime Gold 1.9MM 1K , DL Gold Medallion, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, Avis President's Club
Posts: 3,592
I always stand with my jacket and don't sit down until it has been taken. That usually has the desired effect within a reasonable space of time!
Jan 17, 2018, 7:25 am
#34
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 553
Flew in F domestically yesterday: the FAs were telling people that they would get the coats in a moment. I was keeping my coat on, so I didn't pay attention as to whether they waited until all passengers were seated to start collecting them. I think it was definitely later in boarding though; I can see it being logistically easier to wait until most of Y has boarded at least, since it's hard to move around while lots of people are in the aisle boarding.
Jan 17, 2018, 8:25 am
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA MM Plat; AA MM Gold; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 15,866
That's always been my assumption...the FAs know what they're doing. I've never not had them offer to take my coat in 10+ years of constant flying.
Jan 17, 2018, 9:10 am
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,884
While the crew, per OPs post, seems rude about it, not abnormal to have coats taken after boarding and closer to the actual departure.
IME (and note I really don't like doing the sCO vs. sUA thing), I do think this is an item that was traditionally done differently, and never seems to get done consistently still now. I find the sUA crews tends to take them earlier and while other folks are still boarding, and a row at a time, and sCO folks tend to wait until later and take more coats at once. Persoanally, I prefer them to be taken earlier, but if I have to hold it for a little longer, really isn't that big a deal.
IME (and note I really don't like doing the sCO vs. sUA thing), I do think this is an item that was traditionally done differently, and never seems to get done consistently still now. I find the sUA crews tends to take them earlier and while other folks are still boarding, and a row at a time, and sCO folks tend to wait until later and take more coats at once. Persoanally, I prefer them to be taken earlier, but if I have to hold it for a little longer, really isn't that big a deal.
Jan 17, 2018, 9:18 am
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,730
It's not about when the coat was taken. It was about how the communication was handled. If the FA had politely explained that they would collect coats at the end of boarding, I'm betting the OP would have sat in his seat content that he would be taken care of eventually. Instead he was addressed rudely multiple times, which annoyed him enough to start a thread here. He needs to report that.
Jan 17, 2018, 9:29 am
#39
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,271
Passengers and flight crew have been warring since the first commercial flights began to fly. Nothing new here at all. Manage your expectations accordingly and your blood pressure will be better.
Here's what I know. No passenger ever wins a fight with an FA. As for complaining, I have better things to do with my time.
Here's what I know. No passenger ever wins a fight with an FA. As for complaining, I have better things to do with my time.
Jan 17, 2018, 10:02 am
#40
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,256
I've never, ever experienced this on LH -- or any other airline with quality service for that matter.
Jan 17, 2018, 10:46 am
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: RNO
Programs: AA/DL/UA
Posts: 10,770
Why are so many people eager to slough this off with "the flight attendant is probably having a bad day" ?
Exactly what would be a "bad day" for a flight attendant ? They're fully trained and experienced on what to expect when they work flights, get delayed for weather or irregular operations. They're all thick as thieves with each other so how bad can things be? If everyone that goes to a job has an "off" day (janitors, semi-professionals, doctors, lawyers, anybody) does this give them reason to snub others (customers or coworkers) or treat them with disdain? If you're moody, woke up on the wrong side of the bed or can't handle a "bad day", then call in sick, don't take it out on your customers - your bread and butter.
Exactly what would be a "bad day" for a flight attendant ? They're fully trained and experienced on what to expect when they work flights, get delayed for weather or irregular operations. They're all thick as thieves with each other so how bad can things be? If everyone that goes to a job has an "off" day (janitors, semi-professionals, doctors, lawyers, anybody) does this give them reason to snub others (customers or coworkers) or treat them with disdain? If you're moody, woke up on the wrong side of the bed or can't handle a "bad day", then call in sick, don't take it out on your customers - your bread and butter.
Simply waking up and going to work is enough to ignite the hatred they have for the customers. As long as customers continue to pay UA $$$ knowing they stand a good chance of being verbally attacked, the bad behavior will never end.
Jan 17, 2018, 11:06 am
#43
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: GRR/ORD FOE MCI
Programs: UA 1K/Million Miler, AA Platinum, Starwood Preferred Gold, Marriot Gold, HHonors Silver
Posts: 95
Flying Robot- Are you by chance female?
I have on occasion had issues with FA talking my coat. I am female.
Once, sitting in the aisle, had my coat in hand and the FA reached across me (and my folded) coat to ask if the man in the window wanted his coat taken. The man looked at her and said "aren't you going to take her coat first?" It made no sense to drag his coat over my lap with my coat in the way.
Seems coats are very troublesome.
I have on occasion had issues with FA talking my coat. I am female.
Once, sitting in the aisle, had my coat in hand and the FA reached across me (and my folded) coat to ask if the man in the window wanted his coat taken. The man looked at her and said "aren't you going to take her coat first?" It made no sense to drag his coat over my lap with my coat in the way.
Seems coats are very troublesome.
Jan 17, 2018, 2:53 pm
#44
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA 1K 1MMer & LT UC (when flying UA); Hyatt Credit Cardist; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold via UA 1K
Posts: 6,956
I have had the exact same experience, on almost every UA domestic flight I've been in FC. I am female. The FA's studiously ignore me and my coat, that I have in my lap, ready to hand over. The treatment is quite different for the males in the same cabin, with their coats draped over their laps. Maybe the FA's just assume that as a female I'll get cold and want it? Very aggravating, and when I ask to have my coat hung up after boarding is completed, I am treated with disdain for the rest of the flight.
Jan 19, 2018, 7:35 pm
#45
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 129
Inappropriate times? As the third person on board with not a single person behind me on the jet bridge, while the roll up closet was open, and we were both standing within arms reach of it hardly seems inappropriate.
The second time, at least 15 minutes later, might have been asking a favor, but it also isn't inappropriate. Her hands were empty, pre-takeoff drinks were all served, and she was headed back towards the closet.
If I am at my seat and and I have a request (drink, pillow, coat check...) I would say to the FA "when you have a chance please take my coat, bring a drink, etc. )
I would also never dreamt of telling a cabin crew member of when or how to do their job. I would go ballistic if someone told me how to do mine, which is a good thing I am not in the service of the general public.