Should I complain?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2015
Programs: UA Mileage Plus
Posts: 297
Should I complain?
I was in 1A on a red eye from PHX to EWR. I got up sometime during the flight and hit the call button, and waited a little while for the flight attendant to come by. No one did, at which point I noticed that the seat belt sign was on. So I shut the call button and went back to sleep.
Got up again after an hour and hit the call button. The seat belt sign was off at that point. No one came and I fell asleep. When I got up after a little while, I saw the call button still on and saw my seatmate looking visibly annoyed and asking me if he can shut the call button if I don't mind. He did not have a sleep mask on and the call button light can be surprisingly bright in a dark cabin. At this point I shut it off.
The only time I then saw the flight attendant was when we were getting ready for descent. I ordinarily would've written to United 1K, but the flight attendant was really nice and seemed well intentioned when I did see her, at the very start and very end of the flight.
I think feedback is really important but in this case would you say something to 1K?
Got up again after an hour and hit the call button. The seat belt sign was off at that point. No one came and I fell asleep. When I got up after a little while, I saw the call button still on and saw my seatmate looking visibly annoyed and asking me if he can shut the call button if I don't mind. He did not have a sleep mask on and the call button light can be surprisingly bright in a dark cabin. At this point I shut it off.
The only time I then saw the flight attendant was when we were getting ready for descent. I ordinarily would've written to United 1K, but the flight attendant was really nice and seemed well intentioned when I did see her, at the very start and very end of the flight.
I think feedback is really important but in this case would you say something to 1K?
#2
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bahamas
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 958
I was in 1A on a red eye from PHX to EWR. I got up sometime during the flight and hit the call button, and waited a little while for the flight attendant to come by. No one did, at which point I noticed that the seat belt sign was on. So I shut the call button and went back to sleep.
Got up again after an hour and hit the call button. The seat belt sign was off at that point. No one came and I fell asleep. When I got up after a little while, I saw the call button still on and saw my seatmate looking visibly annoyed and asking me if he can shut the call button if I don't mind. He did not have a sleep mask on and the call button light can be surprisingly bright in a dark cabin. At this point I shut it off.
The only time I then saw the flight attendant was when we were getting ready for descent. I ordinarily would've written to United 1K, but the flight attendant was really nice and seemed well intentioned when I did see her, at the very start and very end of the flight.
I think feedback is really important but in this case would you say something to 1K?
Got up again after an hour and hit the call button. The seat belt sign was off at that point. No one came and I fell asleep. When I got up after a little while, I saw the call button still on and saw my seatmate looking visibly annoyed and asking me if he can shut the call button if I don't mind. He did not have a sleep mask on and the call button light can be surprisingly bright in a dark cabin. At this point I shut it off.
The only time I then saw the flight attendant was when we were getting ready for descent. I ordinarily would've written to United 1K, but the flight attendant was really nice and seemed well intentioned when I did see her, at the very start and very end of the flight.
I think feedback is really important but in this case would you say something to 1K?
#3
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
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#4
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#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2015
Programs: UA Mileage Plus
Posts: 297
Yes indeed, in hindsight that is what I should've done. I suppose my only excuse is that I was groggy from the sleep.
Not worried so much as in, that maybe they had a good reason to not respond to the call button. And the only reason I say that is the flight attendant did seem really nice the few times I did interact with her. Ideally I would want United to fix the issue of responding the call button, at the very least, in first class. This is not a short flight either. To not see anyone for over 3 hours is a little mind boggling.
Not worried so much as in, that maybe they had a good reason to not respond to the call button. And the only reason I say that is the flight attendant did seem really nice the few times I did interact with her. Ideally I would want United to fix the issue of responding the call button, at the very least, in first class. This is not a short flight either. To not see anyone for over 3 hours is a little mind boggling.
#6
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 5,984
What was the reason why you pressed the call button? Not that it mattered, since a FA should have responded to the call. An FA should have also walked the aisle, even if it's a red-eye.
#7
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
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Posts: 66,580
#8
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Orlando
Programs: Delta-Million miler
Posts: 1,312
No more call buttons-Go high tech
If you want water-Press 1
If you want wine/beer/and other alcoholic beverages-Press 2
If you want non-alcoholic beverages-Press 3.
For any other items-Press 4.
If your seat has technical problems, write to Acme airlines at [email protected] with your name, address, telephone number with specific nature of the problem.
If you have an emergency-do not wait-go to the galley.
ll our agents are busy-we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Music....
If you want water-Press 1
If you want wine/beer/and other alcoholic beverages-Press 2
If you want non-alcoholic beverages-Press 3.
For any other items-Press 4.
If your seat has technical problems, write to Acme airlines at [email protected] with your name, address, telephone number with specific nature of the problem.
If you have an emergency-do not wait-go to the galley.
ll our agents are busy-we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Music....
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,658
No more call buttons-Go high tech
If you want water-Press 1
If you want wine/beer/and other alcoholic beverages-Press 2
If you want non-alcoholic beverages-Press 3.
For any other items-Press 4.
If your seat has technical problems, write to Acme airlines at [email protected] with your name, address, telephone number with specific nature of the problem.
If you have an emergency-do not wait-go to the galley.
ll our agents are busy-we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Music....
If you want water-Press 1
If you want wine/beer/and other alcoholic beverages-Press 2
If you want non-alcoholic beverages-Press 3.
For any other items-Press 4.
If your seat has technical problems, write to Acme airlines at [email protected] with your name, address, telephone number with specific nature of the problem.
If you have an emergency-do not wait-go to the galley.
ll our agents are busy-we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Music....
#11
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: UK - Hampshire & London
Programs: Mucci de Guardian des Celliers des Grands Crus 1e Class, plus BAEC.
Posts: 2,720
When flying BA in business intra-Europe (my approximation to US domestic F here) I have no hesitation in using the call button, whether in 1A/C/D or F. Im not a serial button presser, but if I want something I will call the cabin crew. I will combine a trip to the fwd lav with a request to the galley when passing; however, Im unlikely to specifically get up to ask for something. I am perhaps more willing to directly request the service I want than some of my countrymen, but I dont think my approach is a significant outlier.
Caveat: Am aware from FT that the call button is viewed [EDIT: treated by some cabin crew] differently in some air-markets than others.
#12
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 4,948
I never use the call button, even internationally. My attitude is that getting up and stretching your legs is good for you, and you get quicker service when you show up in the galley in person.
#13
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,582
Agree, I always get up and ask. Maybe strike up a conversation and make them feel like I care about them. Amazing how much better the service gets if I initiate something positive. I've bumped the call button, but never intentionally used it in decades of flying.
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
No more call buttons-Go high tech
If you want water-Press 1
If you want wine/beer/and other alcoholic beverages-Press 2
If you want non-alcoholic beverages-Press 3.
For any other items-Press 4.
If your seat has technical problems, write to Acme airlines at [email protected] with your name, address, telephone number with specific nature of the problem.
If you have an emergency-do not wait-go to the galley.
ll our agents are busy-we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Music....
If you want water-Press 1
If you want wine/beer/and other alcoholic beverages-Press 2
If you want non-alcoholic beverages-Press 3.
For any other items-Press 4.
If your seat has technical problems, write to Acme airlines at [email protected] with your name, address, telephone number with specific nature of the problem.
If you have an emergency-do not wait-go to the galley.
ll our agents are busy-we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Music....
I know that some people like the personal service of interacting with the FA but I much prefer the efficient approach.
#15
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Orlando
Programs: Delta-Million miler
Posts: 1,312
Technical service: Sir-if you do not mind, do not drink alcohol. It is bad for you. Drink inflight water that is specially aged in our storage tank. Best vintage 1975.
Our alcohol is freshly brewed at our own backside still.Complementary for our members.
Sir, did you say some child is kicking the back of your seat? We condone violence and the perpetrator will be arrested when we land. Until then, stay on the line and don't let the person out of your sight.
Sir, you say you are the captain and couldn't get back to the cockpit? For security verification, please state your name, last 4 digits of your social security number, date of birth and this flight number.
The inflight internet is not secure and is subject to hacking by IRS. All laptops close.
Sir, there is no seat 10Z in this flight! Did you mean you are tense and want an emotional support animal?
(as you all can see, this is what I do after retirement)
Our alcohol is freshly brewed at our own backside still.Complementary for our members.
Sir, did you say some child is kicking the back of your seat? We condone violence and the perpetrator will be arrested when we land. Until then, stay on the line and don't let the person out of your sight.
Sir, you say you are the captain and couldn't get back to the cockpit? For security verification, please state your name, last 4 digits of your social security number, date of birth and this flight number.
The inflight internet is not secure and is subject to hacking by IRS. All laptops close.
Sir, there is no seat 10Z in this flight! Did you mean you are tense and want an emotional support animal?
(as you all can see, this is what I do after retirement)