No Free Coffee on US Airways

[Itestwell]

Just heard that about $35 in alcoholic drinks were sold on a flight today, but a *lot* of free water was given away to some PO’d customers.

Way to go Tempe!

Really? I'm sitting in CLT, just finished 3 legs on the 321, and have not had one complaint. Didn't sell too much; the people that wanted drinks had $ out, and most said they understood why we were charging without me even saying a word. Took the time to comp the US1/2/3's in coach, even tho two of them said they didn't mind paying... Very civilized, and it was Florida (all full!) No big deal, just as I thought....

Had not one person ask for anything free, or throw a tantrum. After all, it's $2.........

 

[Itestwell]

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100% bull. Read my post in the thread that is already dealing with this.

 

[N965VJ]

<SNIP> Really?

Aren’t you the one that predicted all the OAs following Tempe’s lead?

 

[N965VJ]

100% bull. Read my post in the thread that is already dealing with this.

See my response to your response in the other thread.

 

[BuffaloJoe]

I still would like to know how one can charge for water when it is the most abundant liquid on this planet. This includes those Spring Water, Purified Water companies as well. Mother Nature gives it to us for FREE. And one thing I learned early in life, you don't mess with Mother Nature cause she'll get the last laugh.

Another thing is, I get a kick out of some people who won't drink tap water and only drink bottled water. Use Tap water with a filter unit, such as a Brita. But the funny thing is, they'll get the bottle of water, then ask for a cup of ice. Now what do they generally get the ice made from? Tap Water. That is like eating a Salad and drinking a Pepsi with it.

 

[PHX-F/A]

Can't speak for the other flights. Can only speak to this one particular flight. If there is another thread dealing with this it was started today and I didn't see it, so perhaps they could be combined.

I suspect there are a wide variety of reactions ranging from a lound "so what" to a near revolt.

If you have something against me I'm sorry. Perhaps you're one of those "Company Men" I hear about? Or maybe you're right and I'm wrong.

The flight I worked this morning was NORMAL NORMAL NORMAL. No one reacted negatively, if they did not agree, the declined. Most were sleeping anyway because it was a 6am flight.

We sold one beer, and with the non alcohol sales, it totaled in the 40's. In the last week, I have had passengers with cash in hand ready to pay. They were willing to pay, but were delighted to find out that the program had not started yet.

I think it will work out. BuyonBoard meals were criticized in the same manner when AWA tested them 4 years ago, now almost all carriers participate. I'm sure others will follow if this shakes out.

 

[nycbusdriver]

They had mothers with babies saying their kids needed water, elderly who were thirsty and had brought no money because no one told them about it...

...he said the flight attendants did their best to diffuse the situation and ended up doing water for free, one round.

There's no charge for water from the potable water supply.

There is a charge for bottled water.

Either the flight attendants have misunderstood the policy, you have the story wrong, or you are just making this up stir the pot.

WATER IS FREE. Your elderly thirsty, kids in need and those who go on vacation with no money have no worries.

A BOTTLE of water, however, is not free.

 

[YVINTERN]

There's no charge for water from the potable water supply.

There is a charge for bottled water.

Either the flight attendants have misunderstood the policy, you have the story wrong, or you are just making this up stir the pot.

WATER IS FREE. Your elderly thirsty, kids in need and those who go on vacation with no money have no worries.

A BOTTLE of water, however, is not free.

I'm taking a water test kit with me on my next flight and actually see how clean the water is...For Real...

 

[USCREW]

I still would like to know how one can charge for water when it is the most abundant liquid on this planet. This includes those Spring Water, Purified Water companies as well. Mother Nature gives it to us for FREE. And one thing I learned early in life, you don't mess with Mother Nature cause she'll get the last laugh.

Have you visited your local water treatment facility lately? The water that comes to your house went through a whole lot to make it potable. That cost $$$$$$. I visited a water treatment plant in DC last summer. The first phase of purifying is the mechanical phase where they remove the bulk (they also find body parts occasionally). Then they have to remove the tons of chemical waste that is dumped into our system which come from industries. One of the worst things that we do at home is dumping medications down the sink and toilet which goes straight into our water system. Unless you collect rain water with a filtering system or have a source of fresh water near your home, the water that you receive is definitely not FREE.

 

[NiceLandingCaptain]

I guess I've been on vacation too long......

I was aware we were going to charge for beverages starting today - and somewhat embarassed by it. But anyhow, are we selling small bottles of water as opposed to pouring the pax a glass out of the larger bottles?

And are we selling complete cans of soda as well?

Are the galleys catered with those larger bottles - the ones the crew usually gets?

Thanks....

 

[Be Careful What You Wish For.]

Did PHL LAX this morning w/ no complaints (that I heard of).

Did moderate business. Water bottles seem to be the the big sellers.

Went pretty well.

Had one guy buy so many beers he almost paid for the flight by himself-and he wasn't complaining.

Still free up front.

So far so good.

 

[Itestwell]

Aren’t you the one that predicted all the OAs following Tempe’s lead?

Uh, I guess, but what does that have to do with the fact that no one freaked about charging for sodas?

I am sure that people will whine; some whined when drinks were free. I am just saying that the airplane/ airports that I was in today (Florida!) did not descend into any sort of chaos and anarchy as many predicted.

One US2 actually said that he will be flying US for his ski trips this winter, since he just received an email from DL saying that those skis are gonna cost an extra $150 to check! I told him "Relax, we'll catch up to them!"

DL and their nickel and diming...

 

[Itestwell]

I think you'll see a marked difference between flights out west to the ones on the east coast.

Please explain. Just spoke to a friend who flew PHL-PHX-SAN-PHX today and received no backlash whatsoever. Are we just the lucky ones?

 

[Itestwell]

I guess I've been on vacation too long......

I was aware we were going to charge for beverages starting today - and somewhat embarassed by it. But anyhow, are we selling small bottles of water as opposed to pouring the pax a glass out of the larger bottles?

And are we selling complete cans of soda as well?

Are the galleys catered with those larger bottles - the ones the crew usually gets?

Thanks....

Why are you embarrassed? Other airlines do it, as do many in Europe.

If you want to find something embarrassing, look how the East and West pilots are acting towards each other. Look at the fact that Pilots and FA's still have no contract. THAT'S embarrassing!

They are selling 16 oz bottles of water for $2, cheaper than the airport. On one leg today, we didn't have the bottles yet, so we comped regular glasses. No biggie.

 

[nycbusdriver]

Have you visited your local water treatment facility lately? The water that comes to your house went through a whole lot to make it potable. That cost $$$$$$. I visited a water treatment plant in DC last summer. The first phase of purifying is the mechanical phase where they remove the bulk (they also find body parts occasionally). Then they have to remove the tons of chemical waste that is dumped into our system which come from industries. One of the worst things that we do at home is dumping medications down the sink and toilet which goes straight into our water system. Unless you collect rain water with a filtering system or have a source of fresh water near your home, the water that you receive is definitely not FREE.

If you think bottled water is in general somehow better than most municipal water supplies, you are deluding yourself. I think there are wide variations in quality of "tap water," but unless one lives in a community that happens to be at the low end of the quality scale, there is no danger in drinking water from the faucet...at least no more danger than in drinking water from plastic bottles The fact is, city water supplies are more tightly regulated than water bottlers are.