Feels like they have complete discretion. I've stopped trying to find rationale (delayed boarding, late catering, whatever) for lack of PDB, since I've had so many instances of perfectly normal pre-departure no-beverage. From what I can tell, the strongest predictor for "PDNB" is new/young crew, especially if that includes the purser. Which leads me to think that PDB is now a very insignificant part of training.

My August and September has been 100% PDB, and I was offered two PDBs even when I died on the upgrade list from SNA DEN, DEN EWR this weekend. I made a small change to fall attire, but I Cant believe that was enough to make the difference.

Ill keep investigating and see if I can figure out the change.

Was offered open-bar PDB on a UAX Republic Flight out of EWR last week. Was so shocked I could hardly speak. Quickly recovered my voice to order a cocktail.

Wrote into 1K voice to compliment the all around good service.

9/4/24 UA2019 SEA-IAD (Redeye): No PDB

Now back to regularly scheduled programming

Coffee not being offered as PDB any longer?
 

Had a morning flight last week (IAD-DEN) and another today (IAD-ORD). FA's on both flights came around and offered OJ and water, but my request for coffee was (politely) denied. Was told that cabin crew have been instructed to no longer brew coffee for PDB's unless requested by flight crews. I know I know, airplane coffee isn't that great but to haul a cup from the United Club has its own spillage risks. Another reduction in service in my view, but curious whether my examples are "one-offs".

Great crews IAH-AMS and back, very proactive, even refills on bubbles.

Monday morning LAS-LAX 46-minute flight, mimosa or water offered as PDB, with refills. Great crew.

IAH-LGA, nice energetic crew had the bubbles flowing. Then plane went Mx. switched to IAH-EWR, crew did absolutely nothing in any regard, not just PDB. Pathetic.

That is the wild card flying UA. the hard product is not bad but the soft product is all over the planet.

Flew EWR-RSW / RSW - EWR last three days -- it was all the crew could do to serve the meal on the 737 Min 9 3 hour flight -- getting a PDB - are you kidding me?

No PDB on yesterday’s ORD-ANC. It was barely half full. Zero effort at all. The FA had that facial expression of don’t mess with me look. Not good on such a long flight.

Surprisingly, not one but two (!) of my flights today had PDBs offered (one out of BOS, one on the red-eye back). Prosecco or water offered, with ability to make mimosas on request.

9/24 CLE-DEN Max8: Water/OJ
9/24 DEN-FAT E175 Skywest: Water/OJ
9/27 FAT-LAX E175 Skywest: Water
9/27 LAX-CLE Max8: Sparkling wine/Water

9/13 EWR MCO 757 - Full bar PDB '

9/16 MCO EWR max8, in bound early, nothing offered. I asked after take off (quietly) if there was a reason for no PDB and had to listen to the FA make a nasty comment to the galley attendant that "we only had 2 that couldn't live without their PRB) He replied with a loud enough to hear rude comment. Find another line a work. It's not a matter of whether anybody thinks it's important, or unimportant, and, of course, we can all live without it. But it's a part of an expected advertised part of a product. The few trips recently I can recall had no delays, or hold ups. Just pure laziness.

Water or bubbles (I got a refill) this evening IAH-LAX. SO flying IAH-CLT at same got nothing, delay in catering, but at least they were barely delayed...