Repooc17

Without knowing the number of stocked units and the demographic of passengers, the idea of complaining on the spot, as suggested, is a losing battle. Even if FA admits the mistake, what are they going to do, take away the already given snack box from other passengers?

Guate87

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When was the last time you complained on the spot and received your choice as 1K? Was this pre-Covid?

Should I complain on the spot in F/B about not getting a drink before takeoff?

Should I complain on the spot if I am in E+ and don't get a free snack or drink?

I have had FA say when I was the last person asked about food in F/B, "Oh, you're 1K..." Then, once everyone else receives their first choice, the FA returns and said "No one wanted this (plastic sandwich), do you?"

Oh, and to think that, pre-Covid, I used to complain if there weren't enough pajamas and mattress covers for my lie-flats.

iluv2fly

I would expect them to give the passenger miles or a $ cert for the failure to abide by the rules.

Doppy

I probably wouldn't complain either, but what it would do is remind them that they didn't follow the rules. They might also offer some minor compensation, but I wouldn't do it for that.

HNLbasedFlyer

No - you weren't entitled to that even pre-Covid for quite sometime although some or even many have given it to you anyway.

bocastephen

Thankfully I only had to complain a few times over the years, most of the time the 1K priority system was honored without needing to say anything - so my complaint was generally more of a reminder, maybe a bit of a pushy reminder once or twice, but afterwards I received my choice without any fuss. I prefer when the FAs move around the cabin to ask GS and 1K for their order first, then go back to front or front to back or whatever for everyone else so there the situation is clear.

Since the virus, I haven't been on board a United flight, but if I was and meal or food items with a choice were being offered, I would definitely be reminding the FA if this became a problem - for example, if I saw what the OP experienced, I would ring the FA bell and remind the crew to make sure 1K received their choice and I would be expecting a snack box if that is what I wanted. One can be assertive without being confrontational.

Guate87

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Who limits their complaints to what they are "entitled to"? The entitled complain about everything.

I try to never "complain on the spot" about anything, preferring to calmly and patiently work the system. Systems work (at least on the 30th of February).

DELee

...tho' some clothes are still missing (lost but not found...)...

David

SPN Lifer

I have never been Premier 1K, and seldom sit up front. But when I occasionally did (pre-COVID) this always struck me as a logical and efficient procedure.

Whyme

That is a logical and efficient procedure. It is not, however, the procedure at United. FAs are told to take orders front to back, then go back and inform some people that they cannot have what they ordered. It makes everyone mad. Most FAs ignore the procedure and ask GS/1Ks first which means we receive frequent scolding memos reminding us of the actual procedure.

SPN Lifer

Thank you for all you do! 💚

As a former RSR at SFORR (1985-87) while in law school, UA flight crews will always have a special place in my heart. My wife and I really enjoyed our LAS-SFO-NRT-GUM-SPN flights a few days ago (in E+).

Whyme

I did try to thank the 1Ks on my latest trip. I had about a 30% success rate...sleeping passengers and/or noise cancelling headsets make it difficult. I haven't seen a GS in a while, but the 1Ks are back in droves. I find thanking them awkward. They look at me like I'm going to offer them something, but I have nothing to give them but a thank you. All through covid, we've had extremely generous catering of snack boxes with tons of leftovers. Now the planes are full and we're catered with the same number of boxes as seats so I can't even offer that to 1Ks in coach.

Guate87

Because you haven't been on board a United flight during Covid, you have missed the context we are discussing. I fly UA every week but hope to wake up soon from this nightmare.

There is still time for you to experience firsthand the sad state of things in First/Business on UA. Your eyes will be opened even though you wish you had kept them shut.

Guate87

. @Whyme...You are a Flight Attendant? Thank you for joining the conversation. It would be wonderful to know what FA hear from United compared to what we hear.

I always try to make eye contact with our wonderful FA but sometimes I am exhausted after my fourth flight of the day. Next Monday my first flight departs at 5:32 AM and my fourth flight arrives at 10:51 PM. We passengers never "time out". Sometimes we zone.

The new "Takeoff" box is okayish, but after 13 months of cardboard and plastic "food", I am ready to eat real food, hot food, tasty food.

Because I am in a Centurion Lounge before most of my flights, I know that it is possible to have real food during Covid. I also see the pilots eating real food. I am jealous.

I have flights with AA and DL this month, so it's not just UA.

Kacee

Well I would certainly appreciate it :-)

It was not uncommon pre-covid on Polaris to get thanked for being a 1K - maybe once every three or four flights. And it's the norm on some of the better international carriers for the FAs to thank everyone in F/J.