Is it the upper deck that makes the difference?
 

Hi All,

Just read a few posts about bad FA experiences (including RTW4's mention of the horrid ps F service he encountered), so I thought I should give some of the great FAs credit where credit is due.

Just finished SFO-SIN (via HKG) in the upper deck, and my only complaint was that the chairs are really getting worn down (I assume they are just McGyver'ing them when they need to be fixed in anticipation of the new seats).

Anyway, the HKG-based FA's were fantastic, so courteous and pleasant. My water glass was never less than 1/2 full the entire time. When I went to the galley to stretch my legs, they always made eye contact with a smile and a nice chat. The flight deck was from SFO, and also had a nice chat with the captain when he came back for some tea.

HKG to SIN was just as nice (actually nicer since it was only 3.5 hours! The headwinds made HKG closer to 15 hrs than 14hrs). Again, the FAs were very attentive.

I guess a question I do have is whether upper deck service is inheirently better due to the smaller cabin, and therfore, perhaps the ability to be more attentive? Regardless, the FAs for both flights were the ones who made an 18+ hour journey really quite enjoyable.

Chris

Others would say it's the fact that the FAs are from the HKG domicile. But I've noticed a general increase in the level of service recently overall (with only a couple exceptions).

I too completed a SFO-SIN via HKG. I believe the smaller cabin does play a factor but regardless of cabin size it all comes down to crew attitude and motiviation. Motivation and attitude are something that you can't teach someone. They either have it or they don't.

On my many trips to SIN I prefer going via HKG as my experiences have been excellent as you mentioned. On my last trip on November 28, I had the pleasure of flying with a chief purser whom I've flown with for 3 consecutive flights over the span of 2005-6 and she seems to have her crews doing the right things. I don't know how active other pursers are but while she might be assigned to F she's usually walking around in the other cabins making sure all is going well.

As for your HKG-SIN flight those are operated by the SIN/BKK based crews which have received a great deal of praise here on FT. Some of them are former UA crew and some also happen to be ex-SQ crew. It has been mentioned a few times before and I also agree that flying UA intra-asia vs. non-intra-asia is like flying 2 different airlines. Don't get me wrong I still like my HKG based crews to/from HKG :)

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=536373

IMHO the UD is better because (1) rows 15, 16AB, and 17AB have extra legroom than typical C pitch and (2) the private cabin.

I'm embarrassed to say, I have yet to fly UD :(

I enjoy them vicariously through the trip reports of you UD vets :)

There are much greater goals in life, don't be so hard on yourself. ;)

It's not THAT big of a deal.

I agree on the legroom (though Rows 22, 25CDF, and 26CDF also have additional pitch), but the OP was commenting on the better service in the UD. As for the "private cabin", there are exactly the same number of seats as in the rear C cabin on the main deck.

The UD has a marginally better FA:PAX ratio although this is somewhat offset by the higher occupancy in the UD

Jeff

Yes! 15A without kids or 16,17AB with the family. Easier cockpit access at the end of our flights for my 8 and 4 years old.

The low pax/crew ratio can help, but often it doesn't. As with any flight, it's still up to the particular FAs and I've gotten the full range on the UD - including a number of particularly surly ones.

Absolutely true statement. It is the FAs who make the difference!

UA cut the staff on the upper deck years ago. I don't know if they cut service as a retaliation or not, but now I refuse to sit on the upper deck, finding much more consistent service on the lower deck.

More staff, even though there are more pax still means there's always someone around. At least that's my experience.

Funny you should mention it, I just realized I have yet to fly LD on a 747. :D

True, but there are also 260 seats behind the main deck C cabin that indirectly diminish the coziness of the cabin. ;)

As long as the kids are well behaved, I don't care where they are.

If they're not well behaved, well... I had a horrible experience on the UD with two "prairie dogs from hell" (as Dave Barry puts it). One a toddler, who kept stomping up and down the aisle. The other an infant, who was literally shrieking for half the flight. The mother was oblivious and remained so even after giving it a rattle which it proceeded to smash against the wall. Apparently even the pilots complained about the noise. A very, err, rare UD experience I'll put it that way.