UA78 NRT-EWR (16 April 2019) -- Skipped 2nd Meal Service due to turbulence
Apr 22, 2019, 4:52 pm
#106
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,450
Apr 22, 2019, 9:00 pm
#108
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,193
I wasn't there but would just point out that even if they knew for a fact that turbulence would cease and they could turn off the seatbelt sign at descent-90 minutes, it would have been a rush job to heat the meals, serve them, and clear out the trash before descent. There is a HUGE tendency by some here on FT to assume the FAs are motivated by laziness or selfishness. While there are always bad apples, I have very rarely encountered rude or lazy cabin crew and have noticed quite often that the passengers rarely have the full picture of what's going on.
Apr 22, 2019, 9:10 pm
#109
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 5,062
I wasn't there but would just point out that even if they knew for a fact that turbulence would cease and they could turn off the seatbelt sign at descent-90 minutes, it would have been a rush job to heat the meals, serve them, and clear out the trash before descent. ...
Apr 23, 2019, 7:55 am
#110
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: All of them, UA-Plat, 1MM*G
Posts: 881
This thread is a great example of why conspiracy theories are so popular in the U.S. Reject the benign explanation (turbulence really was expected) and presume the nefarious one (lazy crew). Unless cancelling the second meal becomes statistically widespread (i.e., not the occasional anecdote), move on.
Apr 23, 2019, 2:54 pm
#111
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat
Posts: 11,500
Again, meal service has nothing to do with climb out or approach. It has to be cruise.
A while ago I was in touch with somebody on board SFO-PVG (789) and severe turbulence was forecast off the coast 1-2 hours out (i.e. meal time). The sev turb was forecast for something like FL280-FL360, and the pilots actually climbed to FL380 so meal service could be conducted. (It's unusual for the initial part of a medium/long-haul flight to fly that high due to density vs. economy.)
I'd be surprise if the area/altitudes of sev turb could not be avoided horizontally or vertically, especially 1-2 hours into/before landing, and especially up in Canadian airspace.
A while ago I was in touch with somebody on board SFO-PVG (789) and severe turbulence was forecast off the coast 1-2 hours out (i.e. meal time). The sev turb was forecast for something like FL280-FL360, and the pilots actually climbed to FL380 so meal service could be conducted. (It's unusual for the initial part of a medium/long-haul flight to fly that high due to density vs. economy.)
I'd be surprise if the area/altitudes of sev turb could not be avoided horizontally or vertically, especially 1-2 hours into/before landing, and especially up in Canadian airspace.
Since most STARs have designated altitudes (at or above/below), there is a lot less deviation unless requested.
Apr 23, 2019, 5:22 pm
#112
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
Location: DTW, but drive to/from YYZ/ORD
Programs: Chase Ultimate Rewards 2MM, Diner Club points
Posts: 31,895
You have to Wade thru immigration after an international flight and then baggage claim, before getting access to food.
Apr 23, 2019, 5:52 pm
#113
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 812
monday morning quarterbacking & hindsight are always 20/20
capt made a judgement call.
if severe enough turbulence did occur & pax or crewmember got hurt, then the sharks would be smelling blood in the water.
so much angst on this board.
capt made a judgement call.
if severe enough turbulence did occur & pax or crewmember got hurt, then the sharks would be smelling blood in the water.
so much angst on this board.
Apr 23, 2019, 6:38 pm
#114
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: KEWR
Programs: Marriott Platinum
Posts: 794
Apr 23, 2019, 7:44 pm
#115
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: 42,198
There is no evidence the captain instructed the crew to remain seated for this entire period of time - according to the OP, it was the purser who decided to cancel meal service, which is in contrast to what most of the rest of us have experienced given similar circumstances.
Apr 23, 2019, 8:31 pm
#116
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: Hyatt Globalist | Jumpseat Platinum
Posts: 546
This assumes anyone from UA is actually monitoring this forum and looking for service issues that warrant further investigation - however it really appears to us that no one from United really cares at all.
They probably are monitoring the forum looking for customers to single out for audits and other actions to terminate MP accounts or customer relationships - but doing anything to help improve service delivery or product? I can only picture Kirby coming here for a self-congratulatory laugh, but that's it.
They probably are monitoring the forum looking for customers to single out for audits and other actions to terminate MP accounts or customer relationships - but doing anything to help improve service delivery or product? I can only picture Kirby coming here for a self-congratulatory laugh, but that's it.
Plenty of UAL Employees browse the forum outside of work. Some post, others don't. But the name "FlyerTalk" is not unknown in offices and onboard.
There is no evidence the captain instructed the crew to remain seated for this entire period of time - according to the OP, it was the purser who decided to cancel meal service, which is in contrast to what most of the rest of us have experienced given similar circumstances.
Apr 23, 2019, 9:23 pm
#117
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 812
United is the worst airline in the world, yet I have 30,000 posts about it.
Like Herb Kelleher’s response to a pax who wrote complaints about Southwest every week:
“Dear Miss Crabappple, we will miss you.”-
Fool me once, shame on you.
Fool me every time I fly, I guess i’m a glutten for punishment.
Would an apology announcement really have assuaged those feeling so hurt by this outrage ???
Like Herb Kelleher’s response to a pax who wrote complaints about Southwest every week:
“Dear Miss Crabappple, we will miss you.”-
Fool me once, shame on you.
Fool me every time I fly, I guess i’m a glutten for punishment.
Would an apology announcement really have assuaged those feeling so hurt by this outrage ???
Apr 24, 2019, 12:59 pm
#118
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA-Gold; 1MM
Posts: 41
Apr 25, 2019, 7:56 am
#119
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
Location: DTW, but drive to/from YYZ/ORD
Programs: Chase Ultimate Rewards 2MM, Diner Club points
Posts: 31,895
Even having not done that, they could have served the unheated meal components.
May 21, 2019, 6:42 pm
#120
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 1
No meal service due to Turbulence that never happend
Was on a DL flight this morning JFK-FLL.
Captain came on about 30 mins into the flight and said He was expecting a turbulent flight, therefore, the service would be either non existent or reduced greatly.
He apologized for the inconvenience.
Long story short, there was no turbulence, and maybe an hour later, the FA came around with cups of water.
I was seated in comfort plus, right behind first class, and they got the same thing.
On a 2 1/2 hour flight, I couldn’t care less but, I was amazed at all the people complaining.
As we made it to the bottom of Georgia-Florida border, he shut off the seat belt light.
I told the FA that probably catering didn’t make it in time but, she said the flight had catering on board.
She said in briefing, they told the crew it was going to be fairly turbulent.
I looked at the weather maps and the turbulence maps for the morning, and I didn’t see anything except for a bit of light, by the bottom on NJ.
Guess they must have heard otherwise.
Captain came on about 30 mins into the flight and said He was expecting a turbulent flight, therefore, the service would be either non existent or reduced greatly.
He apologized for the inconvenience.
Long story short, there was no turbulence, and maybe an hour later, the FA came around with cups of water.
I was seated in comfort plus, right behind first class, and they got the same thing.
On a 2 1/2 hour flight, I couldn’t care less but, I was amazed at all the people complaining.
As we made it to the bottom of Georgia-Florida border, he shut off the seat belt light.
I told the FA that probably catering didn’t make it in time but, she said the flight had catering on board.
She said in briefing, they told the crew it was going to be fairly turbulent.
I looked at the weather maps and the turbulence maps for the morning, and I didn’t see anything except for a bit of light, by the bottom on NJ.
Guess they must have heard otherwise.