Polaris - When is the appropriate time to ask for gel pillow (now on seat), pad & PJ?
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,956
Polaris - When is the appropriate time to ask for gel pillow (now on seat), pad & PJ?
Obviously, one wants to ask for the gel pillow before they run out. However, I always feel awkward and not know when the best time is.
Before departure, they are busy serving the PDB, distributing menus, taking meal order and checking for stuff in the galley, not to mention all the people walking by. Then, after taking off, they start the drinks/nuts and meals.
The staffing level is obviously on the low side. So, no matter when you ask (before the meal service is done and they run out of the pillows), you are interrupting something. Some FAs are nice and efficient but others make you feel you are troubling them and forget...
Kind of crazy if one pays thousands of dollars for a seat and has to "beat the gel pillow rush" and "be prepared to eat a 2nd choice meal", etc. but I guess that is United
Before departure, they are busy serving the PDB, distributing menus, taking meal order and checking for stuff in the galley, not to mention all the people walking by. Then, after taking off, they start the drinks/nuts and meals.
The staffing level is obviously on the low side. So, no matter when you ask (before the meal service is done and they run out of the pillows), you are interrupting something. Some FAs are nice and efficient but others make you feel you are troubling them and forget...
Kind of crazy if one pays thousands of dollars for a seat and has to "beat the gel pillow rush" and "be prepared to eat a 2nd choice meal", etc. but I guess that is United
#2
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 352
Obviously, one wants to ask for the gel pillow before they run out. However, I always feel awkward and not know when the best time is.
Before departure, they are busy serving the PDB, distributing menus, taking meal order and checking for stuff in the galley, not to mention all the people walking by. Then, after taking off, they start the drinks/nuts and meals.
The staffing level is obviously on the low side. So, no matter when you ask (before the meal service is done and they run out of the pillows), you are interrupting something. Some FAs are nice and efficient but others make you feel you are troubling them and forget...
Kind of crazy if one pays thousands of dollars for a seat and has to "beat the gel pillow rush" and "be prepared to eat a 2nd choice meal", etc. but I guess that is United
Before departure, they are busy serving the PDB, distributing menus, taking meal order and checking for stuff in the galley, not to mention all the people walking by. Then, after taking off, they start the drinks/nuts and meals.
The staffing level is obviously on the low side. So, no matter when you ask (before the meal service is done and they run out of the pillows), you are interrupting something. Some FAs are nice and efficient but others make you feel you are troubling them and forget...
Kind of crazy if one pays thousands of dollars for a seat and has to "beat the gel pillow rush" and "be prepared to eat a 2nd choice meal", etc. but I guess that is United
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,106
I ask during PDB. "When you get a moment, could you please bring me a gel pillow and a set of PJs?"
Assuming I asked during the PDB service, I probably wouldn't ask again until the pre-dinner service; it's hard to imagine the FA hadn't "gotten a moment" in between.
Assuming I asked during the PDB service, I probably wouldn't ask again until the pre-dinner service; it's hard to imagine the FA hadn't "gotten a moment" in between.
#4
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Taiwan
Programs: UA, CX, BR
Posts: 718
I ask pre-departure but after most passengers have settled in. Usually there is a FA standing around at some point, and it's easy to go up to them and ask. Also, I guess then they can't "forget" though I started this procedure without really strategizing: it just seemed natural.
#5
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Montrose, CO
Programs: United 1K MM, Marriott LTPP
Posts: 548
I also ask during PDB along the lines of "when you get a chance could I get a gel pillow?". I've kept the slippers and PJ's and reuse them since I am sure they just throw them away after use anyway. I also still don't understand why all red eyes don't have the PJ's. I wore mine on DEN-LHR just this week and heard someone else ask for a pair, except mine were from a SFO-SNG flight last year.
#6
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 8,932
I ask for PJs as soon as the FA stops to offer me a drink or take my coat. You snooze, you lose. I also want to have time to sneak into the lav and change before departure.
#8
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SJC / DPS
Programs: AS G75K, UA Silver
Posts: 1,750
I'm not flying to be best friends with the FA's. I ask during PDB service or just ring my call button during boarding. Occasionally I get a grumpy face but I don't care and I always get the pillow, mattress pad, and PJs before anyone else.
#10
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Houston
Programs: UA 1K and Million Miler, *A Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hertz Five Star,
Posts: 1,301
#12
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
My wife tried that once with the pajamas and was stopped by the FA as that was the supply for the return but then the FA was gracious and immediately brought her the gel pillow, mattress pad and pajamas. That was just as we boarded as when my wife opened the bin above her seat to put her backpack she saw that it was full with pajamas and pillows and she could not fit the backpack.
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,327