Mike, since you are International, you need to see the f/a briefing on this little experiment.
Some of the highlights:
1. In addition to normal cart set-up duties during boarding, the #2 is supposed to open and inventory the Inflight Cafe cart "time permitting."
2. After takeoff #4 passes out menus to EVERY main cabin passenger.
3. Inflight cafe sales are to be done with the first beverage service--though passengers are allowed to purchase any time during flight as long as supplies last.
4. 3 row rule does not apply. #2 can either sell meals and snacks through whole cabin then return to help #4 with beverage cart, or can sell to a few rows then float back to the beverage cart. (In other words, the #2 will be between the two carts during the service. So, if the #4 runs out of free snacks on the beverage cart or needs ice or hot water for tea, I guess he/she will have to get it themselves from F/C and the extra supplies will have to be stored in F/C.)
5. In addition to the Inflight Cafe, there will ALSO be a choice of 4 different free snacks offered with the beverages. An announcement of which 4 will be made during boarding. Of course, you and I know that the #4 will be re-stating the choices about every 3rd row. (According to the rule of maximum inconvenience, the briefing says that all 4 will be mentioned in the pre-departure briefing, and all 4 will be available on the cart at all times while supplies last; however, the f/a only has to offer a choice of two to any single passenger. I can see it now. You say, "would you like the Pringles or the Pretzels?" The passenger responds with "what about the Honey Graham crackers that were mentioned?" Or, they ask you to repeat the choices that were made in the pre-departure announcement.)
6. Most of the choices will require some assembly in the aisle. For instance, if fresh fruit is offered with the meal, the fruit will be packaged separately and put on the selection at the time of service.
Another gotcha... Item 1 says the Cafe cart should be inventoried prior to departure "time permitting." There is supposed to be a flight attendant "sales kit" in the sealed cart which includes an inventory list and a $20 change fund. If either of those items is missing from the cart when it is opened, who do you think is going to be charged with the loss of the $20 bucks or the fact that the contents don't match the inventory? I'm guessing it won't be catering or management.
And, the crowning glory. Trash pickup will be done strictly with the small plastic bags, and the cafe cart may NOT be used for trash storage. It must be inventoried and re-sealed prior to landing.
This is going to be a lot more complicated than Bistro meals or tray service. Though #2 goes very senior in most bases now, I got a feeling that when I am recalled I won't live long enough to bid off #2 if these procedures remain in place.
Some of the highlights:
1. In addition to normal cart set-up duties during boarding, the #2 is supposed to open and inventory the Inflight Cafe cart "time permitting."
2. After takeoff #4 passes out menus to EVERY main cabin passenger.
3. Inflight cafe sales are to be done with the first beverage service--though passengers are allowed to purchase any time during flight as long as supplies last.
4. 3 row rule does not apply. #2 can either sell meals and snacks through whole cabin then return to help #4 with beverage cart, or can sell to a few rows then float back to the beverage cart. (In other words, the #2 will be between the two carts during the service. So, if the #4 runs out of free snacks on the beverage cart or needs ice or hot water for tea, I guess he/she will have to get it themselves from F/C and the extra supplies will have to be stored in F/C.)
5. In addition to the Inflight Cafe, there will ALSO be a choice of 4 different free snacks offered with the beverages. An announcement of which 4 will be made during boarding. Of course, you and I know that the #4 will be re-stating the choices about every 3rd row. (According to the rule of maximum inconvenience, the briefing says that all 4 will be mentioned in the pre-departure briefing, and all 4 will be available on the cart at all times while supplies last; however, the f/a only has to offer a choice of two to any single passenger. I can see it now. You say, "would you like the Pringles or the Pretzels?" The passenger responds with "what about the Honey Graham crackers that were mentioned?" Or, they ask you to repeat the choices that were made in the pre-departure announcement.)
6. Most of the choices will require some assembly in the aisle. For instance, if fresh fruit is offered with the meal, the fruit will be packaged separately and put on the selection at the time of service.
Another gotcha... Item 1 says the Cafe cart should be inventoried prior to departure "time permitting." There is supposed to be a flight attendant "sales kit" in the sealed cart which includes an inventory list and a $20 change fund. If either of those items is missing from the cart when it is opened, who do you think is going to be charged with the loss of the $20 bucks or the fact that the contents don't match the inventory? I'm guessing it won't be catering or management.
And, the crowning glory. Trash pickup will be done strictly with the small plastic bags, and the cafe cart may NOT be used for trash storage. It must be inventoried and re-sealed prior to landing.
This is going to be a lot more complicated than Bistro meals or tray service. Though #2 goes very senior in most bases now, I got a feeling that when I am recalled I won't live long enough to bid off #2 if these procedures remain in place.
