Q about Above & Beyond certs from flyertalk

[USlurker]

Who wants a coffee mug??
are you crazy???

It was an attempt at humor. I was just trying to figure out if handing them out was worth anything. If you guys don't get anything for them, then it doesn't make sense to give them out.

We want to get our wages that we got back in 1985...

'85 was about when Piedmont launched first class and I started to switch from Eastern. I'd be happy to have those days back too. Believe it or not, many of us CP types would like to see airline employees treated better too.

get a life

I do wonder sometimes why I care so much about flying in a way I don't care about other products I consume. I suppose on some level I'll never grow up -- flying still has the tiniest bit of excitement. I suppose you're stuck in a business that some of your customers really care about. Tough break there.

 

[Travel Is My Life]

It was an attempt at humor. I was just trying to figure out if handing them out was worth anything. If you guys don't get anything for them, then it doesn't make sense to give them out.

They do get something for them, a chance to win money and in some cases a nice chunk of change ($10K). Obviously not everybody that gets them will win but if they arent given any certificates then they have no chance at all of winning. So I say still hand them out.

 

[VAflyGal]

Who wants a coffee mug??
are you crazy???

We want to get our wages that we got back in 1985...


I don't want some stupid coffee mug... do you??? are you nuts???

get a life

I'll take a coffee mug, and some theraflu if you have any. Personally I'm appreciative for our customers' loyalty and senses of humor. I was working a transcon yesterday in first which had 9 Chairman, 3 Gold, 2 Platinum members, and the one rogue upgrade. I had some time to speak with two ladies at length regarding the service. I'm not going to get too much into it but they basically said the differences between East and West service were palpable as far as attituded were concerned. They said most East crews are downright rude. I wasn't going to argue, and I'm not defending a position here, but as an Eastie, it was upsetting to hear that from someone who flies cross country twice a week on US.

I got 4 A&Bs on that flight. If for nothing else, they are worth having, to me, because I am a person who likes knowing I am doing a good job or making someone's day a little brighter.

 

[Travel Is My Life]

I'm not going to get too much into it but they basically said the differences between East and West service were palpable as far as attituded were concerned. They said most East crews are downright rude. I wasn't going to argue, and I'm not defending a position here, but as an Eastie, it was upsetting to hear that from someone who flies cross country twice a week on US.

I got 4 A&Bs on that flight. If for nothing else, they are worth having, to me, because I am a person who likes knowing I am doing a good job or making someone's day a little brighter.

As a frequent flyer on US (more West than East but still a lot of East), I don't know where this idea that East is rude came from. I have yet to have a rude East crew. Every East crew I've had since the merger (didnt really fly US all that often before the merger, just HP) have been seasoned crews that were friendly and quite helpful. It was obvious that with all the crap they have had to put up with over the years that they still loved what they were doing. Now if East planes could get headreasts on all the seats in First (not just the new planes) like most of the West planes do, I'd be set!!

 

[USlurker]

I'm not going to get too much into it but they basically said the differences between East and West service were palpable as far as attituded were concerned. They said most East crews are downright rude. I wasn't going to argue, and I'm not defending a position here, but as an Eastie, it was upsetting to hear that from someone who flies cross country twice a week on US.

I'm also a CP who flies way too much, but I would disagree with this assessment. I don't find either side to be systematically rude at all. I generally like the West seats better and I find that West FAs are more likely to do the pre-departure drink thing (even stopping boarding pax at the door to make the trips back and forth!), but I have found an equal number of friendly and unhappy folks from either side. It does seem like the East is more likely to have horrific weather and/or traffic delays and that makes everyone a bit more grumpy no matter what side of the cart you are on.

I am a person who likes knowing I am doing a good job or making someone's day a little brighter.

Spending a big chunk of your life traveling can be pretty annoying and you'd be surprised how much difference a friendly face can make. Honestly, that remains my favorite thing about US -- especially at the smaller stations like mine, you get to know everyone and most folks are quick with a smile or a joke or a friendly conversation and it makes things go a lot smoother.

 

[Be Careful What You Wish For.]

Many of us almost never sit in back. When we do, we rarely get much interaction with the FAs since there isn't much opportunity to do so in the back.

VAFLYGIRL "I got 4 A&Bs on that flight. If for nothing else, they are worth having, to me, because I am a person who likes knowing I am doing a good job or making someone's day a little brighter."

Maybe you don't sit in exit rows across from the FAs but I seem to see people who fit the profile (maybe they weren't CPs or maybe they weren't able to get into F.) .

As VA said - maybe a good attitude and good service should be recognized past the "curtain" and not just when you hand out free liquor.

You should encourage FF to include the back not just the front.

Just as an aside - there was someone handing out these chits in the back and what do you know - they REALLY enjoyed their flight while they were going on vacation.

 

[2fly4u]

Three months ago I received the form upon boarding the flight. People who bend over backwards to please the customer see nothing often. What is the point???? I mean really?? Why bother? The entire reward system here is based on a false construct to begin with.

 

[desertgal]

We get entered into a drawing for cash. 10 people company wide win $10K per quarter with smaller payouts to other winners.

Personally, I have sent in many and not won a dime. Moreover, there is no record kept in our file that we received any. So unless we win the drawing, they mean nothing. I make copies for my supervisor to put in my file, but they told me, "so what".

I also put copies in my file,
but I believe it actually helped me in one circumstance where I finished my quarterly CBT a bit late.
Its a common practice in the PHX base.

Now if I could just get them mailed off to participate in the drawing, maybe I might win something.
Wish we could save them towards something gauranteed, like a paid day off, or even an unpaid day when staffing numbers are negative.

Its nice just to have the customer recognize my effort, tho.
Helps me to keep hanging in there.
Positive feedback is gratifying, and we never get it from the company.

 

[john john]

but I believe it actually helped me in one circumstance where I finished my quarterly CBT a bit late.

what is a CBT

 

[desertgal]

If for nothing else, they are worth having, to me, because I am a person who likes knowing I am doing a good job or making someone's day a little brighter.

Words right outta my mouth 😀

 

[desertgal]

what is a CBT

Computer Based Training
Its part of our recurrent training.
Refreshers on FARs, Emergency Procedures, and Company Policies.
We used to have a big workbook due when we came to the annual training.
Now we do the CBT quarterly instead.
But only the PHX base.
I believe the East bases still use the packet.

 

[FlyOnWall]

I think there are some tall tales on Flyertalk. One person said they asked for a pre-departure drink and the F/A said "where's my Above and Beyond coupon", which is not obviously ridiculous, but the storyteller clearly assumes these things are some sort of currency F/As salivate over. I can promise you that 8 out of 10 F/As would have no idea what you were talking about if you mentioned them.

Again, it's the equivalent of a good letter except the F/A has to pretty much demand a copy be put in their file. It can be sent in for some vague contest.

Can't speak for US Airways West, maybe they are a big deal there but most US Airways F/As are unaware of the program, and if they are, realize it amounts to friendly feedback, nothing else.

 

[necigrad]

Can't speak for US Airways West, maybe they are a big deal there but most US Airways F/As are unaware of the program, and if they are, realize it amounts to friendly feedback, nothing else.

This is ignorance. US management has made no secret of the program. It's been on Wings, the Hub, Compass, and in AboutUS. If one doens't know about it as an employee it's that employees fault, no other. It also, as mentioned, is more then "friendly feedback". If it's just friendly feedback, send yours in and sign over the $10,000 check to me if you win. The program sucks for sure, but it's still far more then you believe.

 

[USlurker]

I think there are some tall tales on Flyertalk.

I'm quite sure of that. You'll hear all kinds of stupid stuff over there, but some of us are alright. 😛

 

[ggiby]

Three months ago I received the form upon boarding the flight. People who bend over backwards to please the customer see nothing often. What is the point???? I mean really?? Why bother? The entire reward system here is based on a false construct to begin with.

I really think that the reward is fine?
All we have to do is our job...
the reward system is just a extra credit..
so just do what you are supposed to do..
and you will keep your job and get a paycheck...
the reward for the a and b is just extra credit...
just be nice... and take care of the customer..

that is my opinion