No service in First Class
Jan 8, 2009, 2:13 am
#31
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Programs: American Gold; SW A list; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Gold
Posts: 161
B Y O G (Bring your own glass.....)
I've got a tacky, 50 cent wine glass from Goodwill that I carry on US Airways flights, in a small plastic bag, in my carry-on. (Actually, on my 3rd glass by now--my previous tacky ones broke over the time that plastic has replaced glass...) When I am in F, I don't use for pre-departure bev--and I would say I get those about half the time on my regular LAS-CMH route. But I have noticed that once airborne and bevs are served the "glass" is recognized by the F FA and commented upon, --on the last flight, he even called a FA from the back to look at it. And generally, the F FAs really remember to keep that wine glass filled.
Maybe it would work on other beverages, too. (Just haven't tried.) Wrong to have to provide your own glassware? Of course! But it works for me....
(I also carry my own pillow and own blanket, too, but that's a topic for another day....)
BTW, Mr. Preguntas just flew on WN today, a flight from CMH to LAS. He reports that the FAs charged for the first drink--then said, "Anyone who bought a cocktail--refills are on us" for the rest of the flight, per the captain. .... Hmmmm, $7 per drink vs. one fee ($3 or $4) and refills all the way???? An interesting strategy!!!!
Maybe it would work on other beverages, too. (Just haven't tried.) Wrong to have to provide your own glassware? Of course! But it works for me....
(I also carry my own pillow and own blanket, too, but that's a topic for another day....)
BTW, Mr. Preguntas just flew on WN today, a flight from CMH to LAS. He reports that the FAs charged for the first drink--then said, "Anyone who bought a cocktail--refills are on us" for the rest of the flight, per the captain. .... Hmmmm, $7 per drink vs. one fee ($3 or $4) and refills all the way???? An interesting strategy!!!!
Jan 8, 2009, 6:21 am
#32
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 129
I've noticed that pre-departure drinks are hit and miss..more miss than hit with me.
I was in Row 1 on the last flight out of CLT to my destination one evening and the flight ended up being held 10 to 15 minutes waiting for connecting passengers. I watched the FA sit on her rear for this entire time reading a magazine. It would have been nice to have a beverage during this time.
Last week CLT/MSY there was no pre-drink service, one trip down the aisle with drinks and later snack basket, and that was it. Funny that I received the USAirways survey via e-mail when I returned..I trashed them on the level of service.
I was in Row 1 on the last flight out of CLT to my destination one evening and the flight ended up being held 10 to 15 minutes waiting for connecting passengers. I watched the FA sit on her rear for this entire time reading a magazine. It would have been nice to have a beverage during this time.
Last week CLT/MSY there was no pre-drink service, one trip down the aisle with drinks and later snack basket, and that was it. Funny that I received the USAirways survey via e-mail when I returned..I trashed them on the level of service.
Jan 8, 2009, 6:23 am
#33
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: GSO
Posts: 30
You know, on these short flights your better off with WN in coach than US in first. On WN you will get a free cocktail, with real peanuts, and a FA who will come back and ask if you want another on a 50 minute flight. You want a blanket and pillow, no problem. You most likely will be on schedule, have no change fees, no baggage fees, no reservation fees etc and a fully transferable ticket if you don't fly. The only thing US is offering is a bigger dirty FC seat with amusing grafitti on the seat in front of you to read.
Which airline is WN?
TIA!
Jan 8, 2009, 7:07 am
#34
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: UA 1K MM, HH Gold, Marriott Gold Elite
Posts: 1,478
Jan 8, 2009, 7:56 am
#35
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Programs: HH Gold; AA AAdvantage Mbr; DL Skymiles Silver Medallion; World of Hyatt Mbr; NK Free Spirit Mbr
Posts: 2,531
I feel your pain, but I would have been very grateful for 1/2 glass of wine in the late afternoon on the tail end of a long trip from Shanghai...
Unfortunately, I have very few options for other *A carriers to PHX from intl. gateway cities. Most of the UA flights are Ted.
Unfortunately, I have very few options for other *A carriers to PHX from intl. gateway cities. Most of the UA flights are Ted.
Another pet peeve of mine is INCONSISTENCY. Is anyone making sure SOP's are followed? Are there any consequences if they're not? The only thing an airline has to differentiate itself with is SERVICE. Why doesn't US (and some other airlines) see that??
Jan 8, 2009, 3:50 pm
#37
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Japan or somewhere in the US
Programs: AA, ANA, JAL, NW/DL, Marriott Silver, Avis First
Posts: 175
I've been on short flights where service usually offered was not offered for one good reason--the crew members were instructed by pilots to remain seated due to expected turbulence. But on my flights the Captain did announce the FAs would stay seated and apologized for the lack of service. Of course, safety first, so I didn't have a problem with it.
Jan 9, 2009, 2:49 pm
#38
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 376
Yesterday I flew Asiana in F from PVG-ICN and was served a three-course meal on the one-hour flight.
I was also served five glasses of top-quality champagne and two glasses of a grand Cru Burgundy.
That's why yesterday's US flight was such a shock, especially after the incredible ICN-LAX trip in OZ F.
I was also served five glasses of top-quality champagne and two glasses of a grand Cru Burgundy.
That's why yesterday's US flight was such a shock, especially after the incredible ICN-LAX trip in OZ F.
Jan 9, 2009, 3:03 pm
#39
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX...Ex MAD Ex SJC Ex ORD
Programs: US Chairmans, AA Lifetime Gold, SPG Platinum
Posts: 845
In 90 flights on US in 2008, mostly SNA-PHX or SNA-LAS, and mostly in F, I would put pre-departure bevs at 75% or so. There was ONE flight as described by the OP where no service whatsoever took place.
It is interesting to hear "due to the short duration of the flight" that nothing can be served by US in SoCal...while BA serves a full lunch on 45 minute flights to DUB and AMS from LHR/LGW...
It is interesting to hear "due to the short duration of the flight" that nothing can be served by US in SoCal...while BA serves a full lunch on 45 minute flights to DUB and AMS from LHR/LGW...
Jan 9, 2009, 4:53 pm
#40
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 6,348
Like redstripeflyer and TPA I too fly paid First on US..
And for the same reasons...
1. Excellent crediting to my FF program given the price (US is always cheaper than UA in F on the routes I fly.. and it needs to be *A so I haven't looked at others)
2. A bigger seat.... (and drinks..and food where offered)
My experience has been (obviously from what I read on FT) at the better end of US's performance.. hence I have little to complain about... yet.
Always been served drinks on the short flights, and (so far) always had an edible meal on the longer ones... FA's have ranged from poor to very good.. just like my experiences on other airlines in fact..
My latest booking is a 6 flight trip.. from PDX to PIT then a week later back to ABQ via the usual connections both ways... F was less than twice the price of Y... and given the program credits I'll get - and the extra comfort on the long segs - it was not a hard choice to make...
This is a case where YMM truly V!!!
And for the same reasons...
1. Excellent crediting to my FF program given the price (US is always cheaper than UA in F on the routes I fly.. and it needs to be *A so I haven't looked at others)
2. A bigger seat.... (and drinks..and food where offered)
My experience has been (obviously from what I read on FT) at the better end of US's performance.. hence I have little to complain about... yet.
Always been served drinks on the short flights, and (so far) always had an edible meal on the longer ones... FA's have ranged from poor to very good.. just like my experiences on other airlines in fact..
My latest booking is a 6 flight trip.. from PDX to PIT then a week later back to ABQ via the usual connections both ways... F was less than twice the price of Y... and given the program credits I'll get - and the extra comfort on the long segs - it was not a hard choice to make...
This is a case where YMM truly V!!!
Jan 9, 2009, 6:14 pm
#41
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Scottsdale
Posts: 2,949
Yup.
And then I connected to the Asiana ICN-LAX flight in F and had:
5-6 glasses of vintage $150/bottle champagne
2-3 glasses of first-growth Bordeaux
2-3 glasses of red Grand Cru Burgundy
1 glass of amazing white Grand Cru burgundy
1 glass of exquisite white German wine
1 glass of 20 year old port
I really don't drink much in normal life, but I totally indulge when flying international F.
My personal best is 7 bottles of Dom on SQ F from LAX-NRT-SIN-BKK over a 30 hour period - Most incredible buzz of my life.
Of course it's imperative to have a driver pick you up at the airport and then spend the remainder of the day at a world-class spa.
YMMV.
And then I connected to the Asiana ICN-LAX flight in F and had:
5-6 glasses of vintage $150/bottle champagne
2-3 glasses of first-growth Bordeaux
2-3 glasses of red Grand Cru Burgundy
1 glass of amazing white Grand Cru burgundy
1 glass of exquisite white German wine
1 glass of 20 year old port
I really don't drink much in normal life, but I totally indulge when flying international F.
My personal best is 7 bottles of Dom on SQ F from LAX-NRT-SIN-BKK over a 30 hour period - Most incredible buzz of my life.
Of course it's imperative to have a driver pick you up at the airport and then spend the remainder of the day at a world-class spa.
YMMV.
Jan 9, 2009, 7:14 pm
#42
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: NYNY
Programs: Marriott Ambassador & LT Titanium, UA Silver, AA PLT
Posts: 843
Yup.
And then I connected to the Asiana ICN-LAX flight in F and had:
5-6 glasses of vintage $150/bottle champagne
2-3 glasses of first-growth Bordeaux
2-3 glasses of red Grand Cru Burgundy
1 glass of amazing white Grand Cru burgundy
1 glass of exquisite white German wine
1 glass of 20 year old port
I really don't drink much in normal life, but I totally indulge when flying international F.
My personal best is 7 bottles of Dom on SQ F from LAX-NRT-SIN-BKK over a 30 hour period - Most incredible buzz of my life.
Of course it's imperative to have a driver pick you up at the airport and then spend the remainder of the day at a world-class spa.
YMMV.
And then I connected to the Asiana ICN-LAX flight in F and had:
5-6 glasses of vintage $150/bottle champagne
2-3 glasses of first-growth Bordeaux
2-3 glasses of red Grand Cru Burgundy
1 glass of amazing white Grand Cru burgundy
1 glass of exquisite white German wine
1 glass of 20 year old port
I really don't drink much in normal life, but I totally indulge when flying international F.
My personal best is 7 bottles of Dom on SQ F from LAX-NRT-SIN-BKK over a 30 hour period - Most incredible buzz of my life.
Of course it's imperative to have a driver pick you up at the airport and then spend the remainder of the day at a world-class spa.
YMMV.
Jan 9, 2009, 8:10 pm
#43
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Scottsdale
Posts: 2,949
Only in the past year has SQ begun serving the 2000 vintage of Dom P. This is remarkable for the fact that it's the most incredible champagne I've tasted since the 1990.
One sip leads to another, leads to another, etc.