Changes in First Class Catering?

[FCYTravis]

There is a PHL-LAS.

That's one of the America West Las Vegas night-bank flights, which has never had F-cabin food. It's not an addition, but it's not a loss either.

What's really mystifying me right now in the schedule is the fact that there's no A321s running PHL-PHX. A major hub-to-hub route, and it's served right now by all of four flights, two US A320s and two HP A319s.

 

[US1YFARE]

That's one of the America West Las Vegas night-bank flights, which has never had F-cabin food. It's not an addition, but it's not a loss either.

US used to have a 8pmish flight--I've taken it--and I watched the A FA eat bags of potato chips while we sat on the runway--right DJ? And, they served food on that--I bought the BOB when I was in FC because the food was horrible and the salad in the back was much better.

 

[Travelpro72]

OK, this was mentioned I'm sure but I was amazed today. I worked a few flights from PHL to florida and back today. The coach cabin had BOB and f/c had absolutely nothing. Now I know about the new 3.5 hours or more for food bs but why does that not apply to coach then. So we have f/c passengers eating peanuts, cookies and chips while coach gets to purchase a meal? I think this is just horrible. I went to the back and gave them to the f/c people. I don't care who owns the meals and what procedure is. I was so embarrased to have them hear the announcement about BOB and then pass around a half @$$ed snack basket. This is how the new management wants to treat our most loyal customers. I will add that I had 3 US1's and two US2's up there. Definately not the Maaaa and Paaa Kettle up there on an upgrade. HORRIBLE ! ! OH yeah on the same flight we had no peanuts/pretzels to serve due to catering in PHL before we left. We switched planes unexpectedly so waiting for catering was not an option. Again Horrible.

 

[US1YFARE]

Hey, DJ, other Florida flights this week were announcing BOB in the back while offering nothing in FC. These people are nuts. They are selling FC upgrades at the gate for $100 and then giving them nothing. And, apparently when the FA's are asked about it, they say, sorry, we can't offer it in FC because we only have 6 meals in the back and we have 26 people in FC. And, apparently, they are taking additional steps to make sure you don't give away the meals and that money is collected. 😛h34r:

Brilliant!

 

[Travelpro72]

Yeah honestly its like, "We have semi yummy snacks in coach for purchase but enjoy your three chips in the cape cod bag richard cranium. Why treat your f/c class people like that? I wouldn't include the folks upgraded for $100.00 though. I'm concerned with the company treating our most loyal customers like a bunchy of greedy @$$ holes who don't deserve it. It's beyond stupid. Being an employee and a consumer I have to honestly say that If I were a FF and had the ability to change carriers I would go. If I'm paying the money anyway I might as well buy a better product and have a more enjoyable experience. A shining face from a loyal employee only cuts it so far. BOTBBD

 

[US1YFARE]

Apparently, Mystery Shoppers will be appearing on USEast Flights. One of the things they will be looking for is whether you hock the SkyMall crap. As if they couldn't degrade the FA's enough, they now are making them sell stuff.

 

[USstew23]

Apparently, Mystery Shoppers will be appearing on USEast Flights. One of the things they will be looking for is whether you hock the SkyMall crap. As if they couldn't degrade the FA's enough, they now are making them sell stuff.

Great!!!! That must be part of the Culture Committee!! We are all professinals and know what we are doing. This is not McDonald's we do not need mystery shoppers!!!

 

[Dea Certe]

For the love of Pete! The last things customers want is even more PA's. It's hard enough to get them to listen to the important announcements, like the safety demo's. Eventually, people tune out all PA's.

Could we have the Sky Mall stuff printed on something else, like the Inflight magazine?

And why aren't we offering food in FC when we offer BOB in the back? Seems sort of rude, if you ask me. Many business travelers often don't have time to grab a bite to eat during their business day and just having a healthy, tasty salad or sandwich can make a big difference.

Lordy, I pity the poor FA who has to write up the incident/accident report when the FC customers start to eat their own hands!

Dea

 

[FCYTravis]

It would be nice if a couple FAs were to ask Doug these very questions during that upcoming Q&A session... hint hint 😉

 

[LCC_#1]

It would be nice if a couple FAs were to ask Doug these very questions during that upcoming Q&A session... hint hint 😉

I will try to make meetings. Why am I responsible for making or suggesting decisions? Jesus, I'm not the upper management. I PROMISE you put me in charge and it would work, but who am I but a stupid 19 year vet. I'm back on short hauls...less apologies.

 

[Paul]

I think he was referring to this.

 

[Barbell]

Yeah honestly its like, "We have semi yummy snacks in coach for purchase but enjoy your three chips in the cape cod bag richard cranium.

OK, now I'm confused (see Piney, that's not arrogant 😛 ): We had to endure 13 pages of "Tempe is stupid, Tempe is morons, Why would they take away the last thing that is important? We need a snack basket", so we saved your snack basket, and now we're under fire for that?

Cheese and Rice, you people need to make up your minds. Do you want the snack basket? Or do you want a crappy meal I wouldn't give to my dog?

FYI - Food quality was the #1 complaint driver pre-9/11, that's why it was the first to go. Then the lack of food became the #1 complaint driver, so we gave an option to purchase, and, for the most part, people were happy w/ the selection/quality/price. Now, as for BOB in Y and none in F/C, that is unacceptable. Are you F/A's submitting incident reports? When BOB was introduced, it was clear that food in back meant food in front. Sounds to me like the 3rd party caterers aren't getting the correct information from their management.

 

[FCYTravis]

Cheese and Rice, you people need to make up your minds. Do you want the snack basket? Or do you want a crappy meal I wouldn't give to my dog?

Is it really much to ask to get both? I mean, $3 worth of potato chips and shortbread cookies per F pax and a $7 sandwich. $10 per F pax, assume a full-up A321. That's $260. And to be fair, I actually have yet to have a really bad F meal on US Airways. The 'snack-meal' sandwich was fairly tasty if a bit bland, and the ravioli with vodka sauce on the transcon dinner was downright appetizing.

We're still talking about something way below other legacy carrier F-cabin service. That's fine. I don't expect linens, French wines or fine dining. What I do expect is that service doesn't get nickeled-and-dimed away.

 

[Art at ISP]

Barbell,

As I have said in the past, the actual absence of meals in F while BOB is offered in the back is merely a symptom of a bigger problem. It is symptomatic of an airline which doesn't know what it wants to be when it grows up.

The snack basket is a wonderful touch-I took advantage of it quite a bit yesterday (3 segments, all relatively short--LGA-BOS-DCA-CLT). Yes we would be upset if it went away. On a flight of 2 to 3 hours, such as from LGA or PHL to most Florida cities, where some sort of sandwich/cold plate has been the standard in F when BOB is offered in the back, it just makes no sense to offer nothing but the basket in front. The basket is offered on short segments like an hour or two. To do so sends the wrong message to the customer who is up front, whether it be an upgrading VFF or someone who actually pays more to be up front--and remember that regardless of intent, PERCEPTION IS REALITY to most customers.

Again--I think we all understand that you need to cut costs, but you need to consider also that if you want to be an LCC you can no longer get away with charging legacy prices. You can't take from one side without giving back on the other. The perception to the VFF community, who helped keep this place open during 2 BKs, is that the changes to service/DM are totally one sided--the company is taking and taking and giving nothing back. There have been virtually NO enhancements or rewards to those of us who fly every week. Adding insult to injury, they take from DM, and cut amenities, but keep the ridiculously high fares. This cannot continue if the company hopes to keep their loyal customers loyal.

As a comparison on meals, United pricing is often equal to or lower than US in most markets. On relatively short flights (ORD to major east coast cities, and LAX/SNA to DEN or SEA, etc), UA serves HOT meals in F, on real plates, with tablecloths and real silverware. It appears that they want the frequent business traveler, while it APPEARS that US wants the once a year liesure traveler.

I can write some of this off to testing the waters to see how much the company can get away with, but it is getting tiring even to me. If it weren't for the outstanding and consistently wonderful US front line people (I had nothing but wonderful experiences yesterday--Andrea in DCA, Thank You again), I would most likely already be gone.

So while you are saying that we do nothing but complain, we feel somewhat justified--again PERCEPTION is REALITY to most customers, and Tempe is sending the WRONG message to the folks they should want to keep the most. If they want to cut and cut, they need to lower fares, period.

My best to you all.....

 

[Bear96]

Cheese and Rice, you people need to make up your minds. Do you want the snack basket? Or do you want a crappy meal I wouldn't give to my dog?

They want it all (but they'll still find something to complain about, even if they get it all). BUT, they don't want to pay extra for it all.

Barbell, I admire your perseverance and your attempt to do the right thing by being here, but you can't win with the entitlement mentality many here have.

As a comparison on meals, United pricing is often equal to or lower than US in most markets. On relatively short flights (ORD to major east coast cities, and LAX/SNA to DEN or SEA, etc), UA serves HOT meals in F, on real plates, with tablecloths and real silverware. It appears that they want the frequent business traveler, while it APPEARS that US wants the once a year liesure traveler.

I'd say it more than "appears" to be this way -- they have been hitting you over the head with this blindingly obvious 2x4 for a couple of years now. You just refuse to accept it.