UA78 NRT-EWR (16 April 2019) -- Skipped 2nd Meal Service due to turbulence
Apr 16, 2019, 2:05 pm
#16
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Safety first. Probably PIREPS. If you have a connection, head to the Polaris lounge for some food...otherwise reach out to CS and get some miles or a voucher.
ETA: https://www.aviationweather.gov/airep
Reports of Moderate to Severe turbulence all around EWR. Not surprised.
ETA: https://www.aviationweather.gov/airep
Reports of Moderate to Severe turbulence all around EWR. Not surprised.
Apr 16, 2019, 2:23 pm
#17
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I had a similar experience NRT-SFO two weeks ago, though they did eventually resume the meal service. The turbulence never got worse than a mild chop.
My observation is that compared to OAL I've flown recently, UA crews are very quick to halt the service, and very slow to start it back up. And I really doubt that carriers such as NH, CX, or SQ are any less concerned about safety.
My observation is that compared to OAL I've flown recently, UA crews are very quick to halt the service, and very slow to start it back up. And I really doubt that carriers such as NH, CX, or SQ are any less concerned about safety.
Apr 16, 2019, 3:12 pm
#18
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I flew into EWR on the FLOSI arrival, 20-25 minutes of constant moderate (B763) from ALB southbound.
Not much fun today...
Apr 16, 2019, 3:14 pm
#19
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Quick Update: As expected there was no acknowledgement while unloading by either the crew/flight deck/or UA ground agent. I chatted a bit with the FA manning the exit door and she said the Purser made the decision about 2.5 hrs before landing and that they didn't even heat the food. Not sure what turbulence reports the Purser is reviewing but I got the feeling it was an excuse looking for a problem. I mentioned it to the Polaris Dragon and she wasn't too sympathetic but did note they obviously had food inside the lounge.
Apr 16, 2019, 3:19 pm
#20
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Would not the turbulence forecast for middle Canada near USA border and the Great Lakes be more relevant -- went the meal was planned to be served and not arrival turbulence went everything would have been stowed.
Apr 16, 2019, 3:20 pm
#21
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I'd be really disappointed and annoyed about this. If they are going to cancel the second meal service, they really should be more proactive about food vouchers or compensation. It's not even about principle - just a simple matter of taking care of the customer at that point.
Apr 16, 2019, 3:30 pm
#22
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Flying AC from DEL-YVR yesterday, we had a period for which the FA's had to take their seats for projected moderate to severe turbulence. It never transpired. Chatting with the captain at the end of the flight, he said that the "pictures" (i.e. weather radar) and pireps all indicated significant turbulence but somehow we lucked out or dodged it. Just pointing out that it is *possible* that the expectation was genuine, which other commenters have supported.
What I don't get is why they couldn't have heated the meals anyway. Not like they get preserved for another flight if they aren't heated (I hope!). Even having not done that, they could have served the unheated meal components. Seems pretty iffy on the surface.
What I don't get is why they couldn't have heated the meals anyway. Not like they get preserved for another flight if they aren't heated (I hope!). Even having not done that, they could have served the unheated meal components. Seems pretty iffy on the surface.
Apr 16, 2019, 3:32 pm
#23
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I'd ask for a meal voucher upon arrival or ask for compensation/miles/customer service gesture from UA later.....or as a 1K you could send UA the receipt for a meal upon arrival, just as you would do with a hotel receipt. IMO you're entitled to something. That's a long flight to have no food beyond a couple hours after takeoff.
Apr 16, 2019, 3:48 pm
#24
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My goodness the second meal service is so awful anyway I rarely select it - crew safety is paramount. I would be more upset about beverage service being skipped. But it's safety first folks - that's what we have voted for. Society is so whiny these days - no sympathy from me.
Apr 16, 2019, 3:49 pm
#25
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Not defending UA just yet... the quickness with which we recommend and seek "compensation" is just appalling to me. While it may have been "light chop" the reality is that it could have been predicted to be worse and thus for crew and pax safety it was decided not to serve. Now, if UA forgot to cater for the second meal then ... sure get some comp.
That is just OJ. I would put the safety of the crew and other passengers ahead of convenience.
OP specifically stated that the Captain made the same announcement. I'll take the judgment of the PIC senior enough to command an international widebody over second-guessers.
Apr 16, 2019, 4:41 pm
#26
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Apr 16, 2019, 5:15 pm
#28
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Not defending UA just yet... the quickness with which we recommend and seek "compensation" is just appalling to me. While it may have been "light chop" the reality is that it could have been predicted to be worse and thus for crew and pax safety it was decided not to serve. Now, if UA forgot to cater for the second meal then ... sure get some comp.
To me this seems to be a (weather) event not under UA’s control, and thus I would not expect or request compensation.
Apr 16, 2019, 5:21 pm
#29
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On UA78 from NRT-EWR today (4/16) and the crew just announced that they were not going to serve the 2nd meal (breakfast) due to turbulence in any cabin. While the last few hours of the flight has continuous light chop I have had meals served (on UA and other airlines) with much worse and the cabin crew has been up working during the entire time the meal would have been served. Has anyone else experienced this, the crew announced it fairly nonchalantly as if they were skipping drink service ORD-MSP? While it would be great for UA to had out meal vouchers upon arrival at EWR I doubt that will happen. It seems that leaving 300 some passengers to fend for themselves for food upon landing after a 12 hr flight is a pretty big service failure.
Apr 16, 2019, 5:24 pm
#30
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My experience of UA vs European airlines is that UA is obsessed with the seat belt sign. They turn it off much later - usually at cruising altitude, they keep on turning it on throughout a flight, often forgetting to turn it off again and they turn it on usually at the top of the descent. The European airlines I fly all turn it off at about 10,000 feet, turn it on again around that level and rarely turn it on midflight, unless there really is turbulence.
The consequence of that is that on UA people mostly ignore the sign, whereas in Europe, if it's on, people obey it.
The consequence of that is that on UA people mostly ignore the sign, whereas in Europe, if it's on, people obey it.