Inflight Service--Is the snack basket dead or dying?

[US1YFARE]

The key to the whole thing is VALUE.

Oh, but MMW, you don't understand--you must be PATIENT. You see, please, give Tempe a chance to strip FC of any amenities leaving a big dirty seat and diluting the DM program so that it is worthless, AND THEN, when no good customers are left, we will change our pricing structure.

and, my god, it isn't about the gosh darn snack basket....hello people...it's about what they are doing to the DM program and an already very basic to the core FC product--they are screwing us with upgrades, they are screwing us with rollover, they are screwing us with higher EQM for high fares, they are screwing us in FC (actually, they are threatening to diminish the product to an untolerable level--if they listen to the one poster who suggested hookers, then maybe we would be getting screwed in FC). UWCACTUS says that they care about the VFF--how have they shown it? Name one service or DM enhancement for the VFF--you can't because there are none--since the merger they have taken away taken away taken away--and not stuff that costs them $$$$$ either. Your own customer service people are telling customers that they are hearing a lot that Tempe doesn't care about the VFF. What they are doing speaks volumes, what DP and UWCactus are promising rings hollow.

 

[Dog Wonder]

To suggest that they don't care about the FF is so untrue that I can't believe it is even being suggested on this thread. The FF is the most valuable customer and if you think that the new US Airways "doesn't care" than I'm afraid you are absolutely incorrect.

The people suggesting apathy toward the FFs are, surprise, FFs.

Perhaps a little listening would be of more value than telling them they are absolutely incorrect.

 

[FCYTravis]

I must agree with the comments about UA's F class.

Last week US bought me a last-minute full-F ticket on United, SFO-MCO. Now *that* is F service... hot nuts, silverware, a really good meal (nut-encrusted chicken), etc.

I don't expect *that much* on HP/US. OK, OK, so it's a low-cost carrier. I get it. But the reason the snack basket gets so much play here is that it is the final symptom of the fact that the whole HP/US merger promised us "the best of both carriers' frequent flyer programs." Now, we all knew that was marketing BS, but it's getting shoved in our faces. 50% mileage bonus for Golds, no rollover for CPs, etc. - all of that is getting FFs pissed. Now they're talking about taking away the one good thing that US First Class had to offer - the snack basket. I can't imagine the savings from not buying a few bags of potato chips and cookies will outweigh the huge loss of goodwill among frequent flyers, should this actually happen. The snack basket is an acceptable "substitute" for real meals on short-haul F. Plastic baggies of "Gourmet Snack Mix" are not.

Neither HP nor US FC are anything to write home about, but if we can't get the "best of both worlds" FF program, is it too much to ask to get the "best of both worlds" FC - with glassware and a snack basket, instead of plastic cups or bagged snack mix?

We're not asking for champagne and "nut-encrusted chicken." We're asking for a few bags of Cape Cod chips and some XOXOs.

 

[AstroLounge]

What p*sses ME off on the possibility of eliminating the snack basket is the same people making such ridiculous decisions are also allocatting additional funds to INCREASE the number of pillows and blankets onboard when most of the major carriers have ELIMINATED these items. (Duh, no clue?!) Many F/A's already are taking the excessive pillows/blankets OFF the a/c and placing on the jetways/ meal carts/ ovens.....and I can only assume some will even make it into the trash. Listen Up Tempe! Take care of the people UP FRONT that contribute to the bottomline....don't worry about the onboard "slumber party" for crying out loud! :down:

 

[AstroLounge]

this has become a west mantra.
we continue to wait, and see very, very little...

EXACTLY.........my patience is wearing thin with little tangible proof that someone is minding the store. At a time when they should be bending over backwards to keep EVERY FFlyer from both AWA & US and give them I-N-C-E-N-T-I-V-E-S to "FLY WITH US" (as the new little marketing plug states) they are diddling around with Heritage Logo stickers on a/c, onboard kennels w/a Zoo of animals and crap that does nothing to ENHANCE the airline. Who in the hell is running this operation anyways? And once and for all KEEP THE DAMN SNACK BASKET!

 

[LCC_#1]

Why do we continue to not have glassware in East FC? Talk about inconsistant...but boy we've got that stupid 5 minute level off announcement. I'm scared.

 

[LGA777]

Today was the LGA Town Hall Meeting and I thought the possible removal of the snack basket was a valid enough concern that I brought it up to Doug with a large plug as to why it should be retained. The Reponse, the snack basket will live and will shortly be added to ALL US West First Class flights,and based on some of the concerns re same I shared you may see a further response on this board from Tempe ! Excellent meeting today and when I left three hours after it started Doug and several VP's where graciously still answering questions and listening to suggestions and concerns from employees.

Regards LGA777

 

[US1YFARE]

Was DP aware of the rumored change? How did he react to your concerns in general? I'm very curious.

 

[tadjr]

I brought it up to Doug with a large plug as to why it should be retained. The Reponse, the snack basket will live and will shortly be added to ALL US West First Class flights

So what do we talk about here now? :unsure: 😛h34r:

 

[LGA777]

Was DP aware of the rumored change? How did he react to your concerns in general? I'm very curious.

The impression I got was the elimination of the snack basket plan was false, they seemed surprised, perhaps all the talk on this thread was based on a incorrect rumor. Perhaps it was considered, some key CP's e-mailed their displeasure and it was reconsidered, but my first response seemed more likely. All replies from DP to our group where positive and well received. I would call it a very positive looking forward kind of day !

LGA777

 

[FCYTravis]

That is AWESOME. Phone calls and e-mails WORK!

 

[US1YFARE]

That is very positive. I was specifically told that they were getting rid of the snack basket. Maybe DP is unaware of some of the changes being made and, if that is the case, hopefully he will see how some of his people are pushing away the VFF. I am hopeful after reading your post.

 

[FCYTravis]

LGA777, thanks for taking the time to bring this issue up at the Town Hall Meeting. It may seem like such a trivial thing in comparison with all the upheavals going on for you and your co-workers, but for those of us who fly US Airways, it's obviously a pretty big deal, judging by the lengths to which this thread has stretched. You rock! 🙂

 

[US1YFARE]

Agreed...how rude I was...thank you LGA777 for bringing up a customer issue when there is so much more going on.

 

[AstroLounge]

Keep those emails, cards & letters coming.......make sure THEY know your position and YOU mean business! Then we address the glassware issue (the thought of using plastic in F/C makes me want to throw EVERY stockpiled glass at CCY....it was dumb then and remains a bad idea, and Everyone knows it!)