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-   -   PDB back! Experiences. (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-airlines-mileageplus/2059933-pdb-back-experiences.html)

WineCountryUA Apr 24, 2026 11:48 am


Originally Posted by elmira56925 (Post 37720617)
... I’m scare to ask for a PDB and when I’m rejected that could lead them to being hostile. ....

Huh :confused:

elmira56925 Apr 24, 2026 1:27 pm


Originally Posted by WineCountryUA (Post 37720809)
Huh :confused:

is that not right? The FAs are most of the time on a power trip and unpleasant.

WineCountryUA Apr 24, 2026 1:45 pm


Originally Posted by elmira56925 (Post 37720983)
is that not right? The FAs are most of the time on a power trip and unpleasant.

No in my experience. In 1,500 flights I have never felt threaten, not once.

elmira56925 Apr 24, 2026 2:53 pm


Originally Posted by WineCountryUA (Post 37721012)
No in my experience. In 1,500 flights I have never felt threaten, not once.

sadly I have. I’m sure I’m not alone. We live in an environment where flight attendants make stuff up and you can’t push back or ask them to prove who’s right or wrong.

lessthanzero Apr 26, 2026 3:37 am


Originally Posted by zombietooth (Post 37720456)
I tried that on my recent flights and got the, "We're not allowed to do that until we're in the air" or "These are the only beverages available until we're in the air", BS most of the time.
Contrast that with DL where, even on short 1 hour flights, I always get my PDB of choice. I wish UA would at least establish a consistent service protocol. I always preemptively carry a beverage in my backpack when flying UA because I have no idea what service I'm going to get.

I’m surprised the thought police hasn’t jumped on this yet, but if it’s an adult beverage, that’s illegal by FAA regulations. (Admittedly, when flying long haul in coach in the old days, I would always bring wine splits to avoid drinking the free poison they served behind the curtain.)


Originally Posted by elmira56925 (Post 37720983)
is that not right? The FAs are most of the time on a power trip and unpleasant.

Most times? Most times most people are just doing their job. Do they sometimes go on power trips, and is that unpleasant, yes. But I believe this is more about abusing one’s position to be uncooperative to make life easier on themselves. (And certainly not a most of the time thing for me.)


Originally Posted by elmira56925 (Post 37721120)
sadly I have. I’m sure I’m not alone. We live in an environment where flight attendants make stuff up and you can’t push back or ask them to prove who’s right or wrong.

In fairness, we also live in a time where people are pulled off flights for extremely legitimate reasons. Working in that environment must be challenging at times.


Originally Posted by WineCountryUA (Post 37721012)
No in my experience. In 1,500 flights I have never felt threaten, not once.

Also in fairness, Elmira said nothing about being threatened in the post you quoted, just about it being unpleasant.

hurnik May 14, 2026 3:04 pm

Last year, DL was the bottom for me in terms of PDB. UA and AA were "tied" for first place I believe.
This year, complete reversal.

Anyway:
5/13/26 - ALB-ORD - PDB of OJ or Water. I asked for a vodka and OJ and after a pause, got a "I suppose I can do that for you". What's very odd on this flight is NO snacks for the 2 hours. Only beverages. Thought it was very odd. FA's chatted about their new contract and when they'd get their retro pay.
5/13/26 - ORD-CID on the E550. - No PDB. Once in the air, bottle of water (no option for anything else) and then FA stood in the galley for 20 minutes on the phone. Then got the prepare cabin for arrival. Very disappointed. I had seen this on the thread about this aircraft and any type of F service basically being nothing the majority of the time.

We'll see how my return trip goes (although on 5/16/26 it's a 737 for both legs).

limey1K May 17, 2026 7:22 pm

May 17
UA27 DEN-LHR

No PDB.

hurnik May 18, 2026 8:21 am

5/16/26 UA 465 CID-ORD
PDB of OJ or water. I was thirsty so had water (did not ask for anything else). FA immediately then also took "once in air, would you like anything" orders. Ordered screwdriver and she even brought snacks out. Significantly better than the ORD-CID flight where we got nothing.

5/16/26 - UA 1476 ORD-ALB
No PDB due to late catering. In fact, the pilots were 10 minutes late boarding (they boarded 10 minutes after boarding was supposed to start).
Once in air, turbulence (FA take jumpseats within 1 minute). Very mild turbulence, IMO, but understand nobody wants to get hurt. Maybe 30 minutes in, got the all clear and FA was very good. Even asked if I wanted a double for the first round of drinks. Also got our snacks.

doggz May 19, 2026 4:39 pm

5/13 UA1045 SFO-ORD - Was offered PDB of sparkling wine or water, and the FA even offered to take my coat, first time for me since after Covid.

itripreport May 19, 2026 8:21 pm

SAN-LAX, FA did a water/OJ run, but a man sitting across from me asked for a coffee and the FA happily obliged.

Usually this 25 minute flight is operated by an E175 were the FAs do a round of drinks right after takeoff, but I believe ever since they started flying the 737 on this route, they are no longer attempting a round of drinks.


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