UAL pvg->ord in F
Jul 8, 2011, 10:32 am
#16
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kirkland, WA
Programs: AS 75K,UA Gold 1.6MM, Hilton Dia, Marriott LT Plat, Hyatt Glb, Natl Exec, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,657
Well, in defense of the OP, you don't have a lot of choice getting in and out of PVG non-stop from the Northeast US, and I bet you will get similar attitudes on all US union airlines.
Quite frankly when you have people who cannot lose their jobs due to poor attitude/service and have an entitlement to keep their job due to seniority, you will see service and attitude continue to degrade. They have no incentive to provide the best service in order to keep their job at their salary level. Unfortunately, the best service is with those overseas airlines that don't have the union restrictions and the employees are fighting to be the best they can be and keep their jobs.
Quite frankly when you have people who cannot lose their jobs due to poor attitude/service and have an entitlement to keep their job due to seniority, you will see service and attitude continue to degrade. They have no incentive to provide the best service in order to keep their job at their salary level. Unfortunately, the best service is with those overseas airlines that don't have the union restrictions and the employees are fighting to be the best they can be and keep their jobs.
Jul 8, 2011, 11:05 am
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 137
Well, in defense of the OP, you don't have a lot of choice getting in and out of PVG non-stop from the Northeast US, and I bet you will get similar attitudes on all US union airlines.
Quite frankly when you have people who cannot lose their jobs due to poor attitude/service and have an entitlement to keep their job due to seniority, you will see service and attitude continue to degrade. They have no incentive to provide the best service in order to keep their job at their salary level. Unfortunately, the best service is with those overseas airlines that don't have the union restrictions and the employees are fighting to be the best they can be and keep their jobs.
Quite frankly when you have people who cannot lose their jobs due to poor attitude/service and have an entitlement to keep their job due to seniority, you will see service and attitude continue to degrade. They have no incentive to provide the best service in order to keep their job at their salary level. Unfortunately, the best service is with those overseas airlines that don't have the union restrictions and the employees are fighting to be the best they can be and keep their jobs.
Jul 8, 2011, 11:38 am
#18
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: BNE/OOL temporarily-permanently at CAK/PIT
Programs: UA*1K & UA Club, National Ex. Elite, Hertz Pres. Circ., Amex Plat., CLEAR
Posts: 1,703
[snip]
i felt like my grandma is serving me an appetizer. 3 flight attendants, all bulky and nearing 65. i was afraid to ask for an extra drink because i thought 1 of them will break a hip carrying it to me.. in case of emergency NONE of them would be able to assist, thats my take on it.. mid-flight one of them comes up and says "do you want anything?" my take on that is with verbage like that .. i wont want anything. not pleasant, not kind, just come in, do their work and get out.. ready for retirement ladies. time to get out!
for a 12K ticket id expect atleast a bit more friendliness...
i felt like my grandma is serving me an appetizer. 3 flight attendants, all bulky and nearing 65. i was afraid to ask for an extra drink because i thought 1 of them will break a hip carrying it to me.. in case of emergency NONE of them would be able to assist, thats my take on it.. mid-flight one of them comes up and says "do you want anything?" my take on that is with verbage like that .. i wont want anything. not pleasant, not kind, just come in, do their work and get out.. ready for retirement ladies. time to get out!
for a 12K ticket id expect atleast a bit more friendliness...
For $12k (ouch!) you might try flying one of the Asian carriers. There are plenty of Star Alliance carriers that can you get in and out of PVG and some of them will have stewardesses, er, flight attendants, more to your "liking". I personally have found that the age of F/As has little bearing on their attitude and level of service.
Jul 8, 2011, 12:20 pm
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 137
key-word, non-stop. my options limited 
Jul 8, 2011, 1:14 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,909
For starters one should not mix up the issue of poor service and older employees in order to gain any credibility with management, unions, judges or anyone else. The way you wrote your OP, it comes across as full of bigotry and age discrimination. Unfortunately stupid (I really can't find a better word) comments of that nature completely discredit any valid concerns and complaints about service that would perhaps lead to some changes.
Jul 8, 2011, 2:12 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,171
Both my FAs in LX F today were probably 55+. Sharp as a tack and super friendly. Just as great as I had in GRU-ORD UA F a few weeks back.
Many might have different POVs about EWR crews...
Many might have different POVs about EWR crews...
Jul 8, 2011, 2:25 pm
#22
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: near to SFO and LHR
Programs: BA Gold, B6 Mosiac, VS, AA, DL (and a legacy UA 2MM)
Posts: 2,274
Now really, I think I'm tolerant of workers of all ages, but shouldn't there be a limit - for safety reasons if nothing else? Is it unreasonable to require mandatory retirement at 65 or 70 or something? I seriously doubt that the oldest ones can physically perform what they need to do at 80+.
Even leaving unions out for a second, isn't it healthier to mix older and younger FA's on all flights, rather than have the ones that have been working for UA for 30+ years all be on the same flights (ie to Europe and other desirable destinations). The bidding/seniority system needs a shake-up in my opinion, or the soft product will never improve.
Jul 8, 2011, 2:45 pm
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 137
55+ is fine - in fact, I'm one myself! But some of the FA's appear to be pushing 75, in fact I was sitting next to a (younger) FA on a recent flight, and I think she said something to the effect that UA had at least one FA over 80 - is this possible?
Now really, I think I'm tolerant of workers of all ages, but shouldn't there be a limit - for safety reasons if nothing else? Is it unreasonable to require mandatory retirement at 65 or 70 or something? I seriously doubt that the oldest ones can physically perform what they need to do at 80+.
Even leaving unions out for a second, isn't it healthier to mix older and younger FA's on all flights, rather than have the ones that have been working for UA for 30+ years all be on the same flights (ie to Europe and other desirable destinations). The bidding/seniority system needs a shake-up in my opinion, or the soft product will never improve.
Now really, I think I'm tolerant of workers of all ages, but shouldn't there be a limit - for safety reasons if nothing else? Is it unreasonable to require mandatory retirement at 65 or 70 or something? I seriously doubt that the oldest ones can physically perform what they need to do at 80+.
Even leaving unions out for a second, isn't it healthier to mix older and younger FA's on all flights, rather than have the ones that have been working for UA for 30+ years all be on the same flights (ie to Europe and other desirable destinations). The bidding/seniority system needs a shake-up in my opinion, or the soft product will never improve.