Why is there such as disconnect between PL and Polaris in-flight?
Mar 26, 2019, 12:05 am
#93
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: LH M&M, BA EC, DL SM
Posts: 5,718
Mar 26, 2019, 2:34 am
#94
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: HND, NRT
Programs: UA Gold (1K 2016–2023 by miracle extensions; RIP 1K status), 1MM
Posts: 220
Boarding was chaotic because most of the transpacs were delayed, some by an hour or more, due to weather. We didn't even get a pre-departure drink. Quelle disappointment! When I'm lucky enough to get an upgrade (I'm a poor heathen who can't buy or have Polaris tix purchased for me) I like to start the flight off with a bit of sparkling plonk.
Mar 26, 2019, 7:00 am
#95
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: EDI/GLA
Programs: DL 2 MM Unobtainum | UA 1.1MM Gold | MR Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 2,268
As a Safety Professional who works in a safety sensitive world, I would advise against falling asleep prior to take off or during being asleep during critical phases of flight as that's when situational awareness will be instrumental in your well being should something non-standard occur in these phases of flight.
Mar 26, 2019, 7:38 am
#96
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NYC, LON
Programs: *
Posts: 2,771
As a Safety Professional who works in a safety sensitive world, I would advise against falling asleep prior to take off or during being asleep during critical phases of flight as that's when situational awareness will be instrumental in your well being should something non-standard occur in these phases of flight.
Mar 26, 2019, 8:44 am
#97
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: EDI/GLA
Programs: DL 2 MM Unobtainum | UA 1.1MM Gold | MR Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 2,268
Thank goodness such situational awareness is almost never required and when it is it is usually ineffective. If we want to improve human safety, reduce risk or save lives then there are much more effective manouvers than staying awake during flight. Anyone who pays for business is more than welcome to sleep when they want - life is too short and staying awake during take off won't make life any longer for almost everyone of the several millions who fly every day.
Mar 26, 2019, 8:52 am
#98
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,448
On the 77W? I thought they were maintaining the same level of crew staffing in J (6) on that aircraft.
Mar 26, 2019, 6:57 pm
#99
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: HND, NRT
Programs: UA Gold (1K 2016–2023 by miracle extensions; RIP 1K status), 1MM
Posts: 220
I must be confused. My apologies. I can't keep track of all the 777s. That just means the FAs were the worst I've experienced of 10 or 12 Polaris flights in the past couple years. I suppose we all get a bad flight now and then. And had I actually paid for J, I'd be writing a nastygram to UA about the mediocre service.
Mar 26, 2019, 8:07 pm
#100
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,448
I'm not 100% sure myself, but in any event no apology necessary 
Indeed.
Indeed.
Mar 26, 2019, 10:35 pm
#101
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: BOS
Programs: UA 1K (2MM); AA LT Gold (1.9 MM); SQ; WN; DL; "Bonvoy Ambassador""
Posts: 398
Mar 26, 2019, 10:37 pm
#102
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: BOS
Programs: UA 1K (2MM); AA LT Gold (1.9 MM); SQ; WN; DL; "Bonvoy Ambassador""
Posts: 398
As a Safety Professional who works in a safety sensitive world, I would advise against falling asleep prior to take off or during being asleep during critical phases of flight as that's when situational awareness will be instrumental in your well being should something non-standard occur in these phases of flight.
Mar 27, 2019, 12:56 am
#103
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: LH M&M, BA EC, DL SM
Posts: 5,718
Mar 27, 2019, 2:39 am
#104
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Montréal, Canada
Posts: 1,610
One may take solace in the fact that AC, North America's only 4 star airline, is no better. The catering aboard my YYZ-FRA flight yesterday was pretty awful. The YYZ Signature Suite lounge, AC's equivalent to the Polaris Lounge, had relatively good catering, especially the lamb chops, but the service and space was mediocre. Honestly though, these days there are no business class lounges that excite me, having been to those of BR, TK, LH, AC, LX, SQ, OS and TG within the last few months. I actually prefer the Polaris Lounges. As we all have experienced in the Polaris cabins, catering is no better than economy on most MEA and Asian airlines. Pity.
Mar 27, 2019, 6:55 am
#105
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,460
Do you suppose there's any value in complaining? I just flew SFO NRT in Polaris (am on the airport bus now) and the service felt very rushed and short-staffed. The FAs were clearly doing their best but they were expected to do too much.
Boarding was chaotic because most of the transpacs were delayed, some by an hour or more, due to weather. We didn't even get a pre-departure drink. Quelle disappointment! When I'm lucky enough to get an upgrade (I'm a poor heathen who can't buy or have Polaris tix purchased for me) I like to start the flight off with a bit of sparkling plonk.
Boarding was chaotic because most of the transpacs were delayed, some by an hour or more, due to weather. We didn't even get a pre-departure drink. Quelle disappointment! When I'm lucky enough to get an upgrade (I'm a poor heathen who can't buy or have Polaris tix purchased for me) I like to start the flight off with a bit of sparkling plonk.
I must be confused. My apologies. I can't keep track of all the 777s. That just means the FAs were the worst I've experienced of 10 or 12 Polaris flights in the past couple years. I suppose we all get a bad flight now and then. And had I actually paid for J, I'd be writing a nastygram to UA about the mediocre service.
However, I've had three flights on it since Feb 1 and they all feel like service is diminished. I can't pinpoint what exactly is the reason, maybe the galley changes mean fewer passenger-facing attendants during the service?, but it seems slower and more prone to omission of some minor service element (second bread, drink refill).
The only-one-open Champagne bottle rule also is a bit awkward. And did the purser always do the front-cabin port- / A-side meal service? I may simply have never noticed that, as it was only on my last couple of flights that I was scrutinising and trying to figure out what all was different.