View Poll Results: Mandatory Express Dining Service for East Coast TATL red-eye flights?
Is a good idea
106
40.77%
Prefer having a choice of regular or express
154
59.23%
Voters: 260. You may not vote on this poll
United Will Trial Mandatory New Express Dining Service Concept In Business Class
#121
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,452
Some of us have melatonin-related conditions that mean we have to sleep with the light on. Turning off one's neighbor's light is a selfish act which can make the person feel nauseous and ill for up to 12 hours or more. Perhaps those who do this don't mind having their neighbors vomit all over them..... eyemasks are your friend, but the person with the condition has no easy solution.
That sounds terribly unfortunate and unpleasant, but It also sounds extraordinarily, exceptionally rare. I would be completely sympathetic of a person next to me who suffered from this condition, whatever it is, but I still think I would switch my seatmate's reading light off if I noticed they had dozed off without doing so. A curious dilemma, and I am sorry if you have that issue.
#122
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
It's not that much of a dilemma, you just say "I'm going to sleep with my light on, please don't turn it off." You can explain more if you want, or not -- it's your light. I don't have a medical condition, but sometimes on the ground I nap with the light on if I'm trying to adjust to a new timezone.
But in the absence of a heads up that the light is going to be left on intentionally, I don't think it's rude or unacceptable to turn off a sleeping seatmate's light, as long as you can do so without touching them.
But in the absence of a heads up that the light is going to be left on intentionally, I don't think it's rude or unacceptable to turn off a sleeping seatmate's light, as long as you can do so without touching them.
#123
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,452
It's not that much of a dilemma, you just say "I'm going to sleep with my light on, please don't turn it off." You can explain more if you want, or not -- it's your light. I don't have a medical condition, but sometimes on the ground I nap with the light on if I'm trying to adjust to a new timezone..
#124
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: UAL 1k, AA Gold, Delta Silver
Posts: 64
This is what I’m thinking too. Cut out the additional desserts and the cheese course, and those items won’t be available in the galley mid-flight when those people who skipped dinner need a little nibble. So yes, it’s a cut, plain and simple. TATL travelers will get Polaris Level B, versus all courses for TPAC flyers.
#125
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,159
I can definitely see both sides of the argument for mandatory express service, but I do think UA should think carefully about how they're presenting their J product. A lot of people pay good money for Int'l J, and grow resentful if they feel they don't have a choice/are treated like cattle in J.
I think UA should, instead, continue to make the express service optional, but invest in better sleep masks and headphones to help sleeping passengers better block out light/sounds. Sounds like a more happy compromise, but probably won't happen in profit-seeking UA-land.
Also, yes, AA does offer mandatory expedited service on their shorter JFK overnight TATLs, but they utilize the snack bar and set up snacks for their passengers to nibble on, which seems like a good solution.
I think UA should, instead, continue to make the express service optional, but invest in better sleep masks and headphones to help sleeping passengers better block out light/sounds. Sounds like a more happy compromise, but probably won't happen in profit-seeking UA-land.
Also, yes, AA does offer mandatory expedited service on their shorter JFK overnight TATLs, but they utilize the snack bar and set up snacks for their passengers to nibble on, which seems like a good solution.
#126
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 144
In response to cmd320's comment about SQ:
this was not my experience. When I flew the route (admittedly, this was over a year ago), I went to sleep 2 hours into the flight, and appetizers had not yet been served. I think it depends on where you sit in business class, since there are like a hundred passengers in J on the A380!
this was not my experience. When I flew the route (admittedly, this was over a year ago), I went to sleep 2 hours into the flight, and appetizers had not yet been served. I think it depends on where you sit in business class, since there are like a hundred passengers in J on the A380!
#127
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: united
Posts: 1,636
I can definitely see both sides of the argument for mandatory express service, but I do think UA should think carefully about how they're presenting their J product. A lot of people pay good money for Int'l J, and grow resentful if they feel they don't have a choice/are treated like cattle in J.
I think UA should, instead, continue to make the express service optional, but invest in better sleep masks and headphones to help sleeping passengers better block out light/sounds. Sounds like a more happy compromise, but probably won't happen in profit-seeking UA-land.
Also, yes, AA does offer mandatory expedited service on their shorter JFK overnight TATLs, but they utilize the snack bar and set up snacks for their passengers to nibble on, which seems like a good solution.
I think UA should, instead, continue to make the express service optional, but invest in better sleep masks and headphones to help sleeping passengers better block out light/sounds. Sounds like a more happy compromise, but probably won't happen in profit-seeking UA-land.
Also, yes, AA does offer mandatory expedited service on their shorter JFK overnight TATLs, but they utilize the snack bar and set up snacks for their passengers to nibble on, which seems like a good solution.
#128
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
In response to cmd320's comment about SQ:
this was not my experience. When I flew the route (admittedly, this was over a year ago), I went to sleep 2 hours into the flight, and appetizers had not yet been served. I think it depends on where you sit in business class, since there are like a hundred passengers in J on the A380!
this was not my experience. When I flew the route (admittedly, this was over a year ago), I went to sleep 2 hours into the flight, and appetizers had not yet been served. I think it depends on where you sit in business class, since there are like a hundred passengers in J on the A380!
#130
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,159
This is what I’m thinking too. Cut out the additional desserts and the cheese course, and those items won’t be available in the galley mid-flight when those people who skipped dinner need a little nibble. So yes, it’s a cut, plain and simple. TATL travelers will get Polaris Level B, versus all courses for TPAC flyers.
Haven't seen Level B in some time now...
#131
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,203
Hot breakfast, hot midflight snack, cheese plate, port, enhanced desserts, Japanese special meal, etc - bits and pieces of the combined Continental and United catering legacy that were folded into the new airline and made their way into Polaris will be gone, along with pajamas.
Polaris meals will more closely match today's PS meals regardless of flight length, potentially allowing for additional crew cuts in the forward cabins.
#132
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
App / salad
Main separate (still on larger plate as of last month)
Dessert cart with ice cream, cheese, sweets
Let's not give them ideas on expressifying that like Delta did on its transcons
#133
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,203
I don't think I'm giving Kirby any ideas - I would suggest he had plans to wreck Polaris and the MP program the moment he was hired.
#134
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Delaware
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, Amtrak Guest Rewards
Posts: 1,393
While we're only about 30% done the reconfigs, does the Polaris seat address the light / noise issue of the traditional service? If so, the disturbance argument that UA is making is less valid.
On another note, while I voted in favor of making it mandatory, I think that my view has changed now that my opinion as to UAs motives behind this have changed.
Now, what if UA changed the focus meal on these flights to the pre-arrival meal? While this does apply to OD traffic more, I would think that most people are less interested in a big dinner at 10:00pm, but a larger breakfast at 8:00am before landing and getting on with your day could be more beneficial. It would also help acclimate people to the new time zone easier.
That said, my vote is for a default express dinner on these flights, with the option for full service by request, and then a 3 or 4 course breakfast prior to arrival (A Fruit Plate, a Hot or Cold Cereal Course, a full selection of hot options for the main course, and a Yogurt Parfait to end.)
On another note, while I voted in favor of making it mandatory, I think that my view has changed now that my opinion as to UAs motives behind this have changed.
Now, what if UA changed the focus meal on these flights to the pre-arrival meal? While this does apply to OD traffic more, I would think that most people are less interested in a big dinner at 10:00pm, but a larger breakfast at 8:00am before landing and getting on with your day could be more beneficial. It would also help acclimate people to the new time zone easier.
That said, my vote is for a default express dinner on these flights, with the option for full service by request, and then a 3 or 4 course breakfast prior to arrival (A Fruit Plate, a Hot or Cold Cereal Course, a full selection of hot options for the main course, and a Yogurt Parfait to end.)
#135
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Portland OR
Programs: United 1K 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton HHonors Gold
Posts: 560
And the Polaris reconfigs (or % of the widebody fleet) is now closer to 40% than 30.