Summer T/A Thus Far

[RealisticObserver]

Flying to Europe this week up front on a 333, and want to know what we can expect.

How has the summer schedule and travel been going this summer thus far. Has US been supplying crews with proper and sufficient product to service the customers? How is the condition of the first class cabin on the 333? Are they beginning to show their age, or have they been maintained and cleaned properly.

Thanks

 

[ebwgs]

Flying to Europe this week up front on a 333, and want to know what we can expect.

How has the summer schedule and travel been going this summer thus far. Has US been supplying crews with proper and sufficient product to service the customers? How is the condition of the first class cabin on the 333? Are they beginning to show their age, or have they been maintained and cleaned properly.

Thanks

Hey Real it's too bad you're not flying on one of the Envoy Suites equipped planes. The Suites IMHO have been a welcome upgrade to our Envoy product. But, within the next couple of years the 300s will be upgraded to the Suites as well as the superior Panasonic IFE system.

Our Envoy service was refreshed earlier this month. On the arrival service into Europe a hot breakfast has returned, and on the westbound service into the US the ice cream sundaes are being served for dessert. On the westbound service the fruit basket--an old throwback from the old days--has resurfaced.

I intentionally did not get into a lot of specifics because, I imagine, the service is still being tweaked. But I hope you have a great journey, and I hope you get to experience the Suites in the near future.

 

[AstroLounge]

June saw a REVAMPED Envoy Class Service that has many positives about it. Unfortunately, some of the Cabin Crew (one's resistent to change) can REALLY put a negative spin on the NEW Product. The New Menu of entrees are quite good for airline food.........and that is the KEY, it's airline food. Passengers that expect 5star RESTAURANT type of entrees and super,ultra pampered type of service will still be underwhelmed. Many people have unrealistic visions of grandeur of what can be Attempted and Achieved on an airplane within a realistic cost structure. Also, Envoy Class is International Business Class. International FIRST (which US had in the Wolf era) is a whole different Class of service than what is being attempted in Envoy......so don't have expectations of Singapore Airlines style FIRST on your journey. There are ice cream sundaes (which is extremely popular) with a choice of toppings, but don't expect 'hand churred' ice cream brought from the dairy farms in rural Europe <lol>. There are MANY things that I personally would like to see ADDED to the service (more cordials/liqueurs), new snacks (Exclusive to International) and a NEW Ammenity Kit that changes periodically with items that people would utilize. The New changes are REFRESHING........it's a Start and I certainly hope they can Build on Them. The Pod seating on the New A330 is very popular......only wish the cabin had more of them.

 

[SparrowHawk]

June saw a REVAMPED Envoy Class Service that has many positives about it. Unfortunately, some of the Cabin Crew (one's resistent to change) can REALLY put a negative spin on the NEW Product. The New Menu of entrees are quite good for airline food.........and that is the KEY, it's airline food. Passengers that expect 5star RESTAURANT type of entrees and super,ultra pampered type of service will still be underwhelmed. Many people have unrealistic visions of grandeur of what can be Attempted and Achieved on an airplane within a realistic cost structure. Also, Envoy Class is International Business Class. International FIRST (which US had in the Wolf era) is a whole different Class of service than what is being attempted in Envoy......so don't have expectations of Singapore Airlines style FIRST on your journey. There are ice cream sundaes (which is extremely popular) with a choice of toppings, but don't expect 'hand churred' ice cream brought from the dairy farms in rural Europe <lol>. There are MANY things that I personally would like to see ADDED to the service (more cordials/liqueurs), new snacks (Exclusive to International) and a NEW Ammenity Kit that changes periodically with items that people would utilize. The New changes are REFRESHING........it's a Start and I certainly hope they can Build on Them. The Pod seating on the New A330 is very popular......only wish the cabin had more of them.

I want to echo Astro's comments. I spoke to a very dear friend who is a colleague of Astro's and she echoed your remarks. While I don't know you personally I do know her and she is both honest and credible, so I would take Astro's assessment as Gospel.

I do like the idea of Envoy Exclusive snacks. I hope you submit that to Hector as it is good branding IMO. Seriously how do you get the more shall we say "reluctant" F/A's to ebrace change? I find so much of the satisfaction level on an Envoy Flight to be the actual service provided by yhr F/A that I think it's critical to raise the level of expectations from them. I welcome your opinion.

 

[ebwgs]

I want to echo Astro's comments. I spoke to a very dear friend who is a colleague of Astro's and she echoed your remarks. While I don't know you personally I do know her and she is both honest and credible, so I would take Astro's assessment as Gospel.

I do like the idea of Envoy Exclusive snacks. I hope you submit that to Hector as it is good branding IMO. Seriously how do you get the more shall we say "reluctant" F/A's to ebrace change? I find so much of the satisfaction level on an Envoy Flight to be the actual service provided by yhr F/A that I think it's critical to raise the level of expectations from them. I welcome your opinion.

I totally agree in that the successful delivery of this service is on US flight attendants. I like that fact that management finally saw a need to change and acted on it. I'll be even happier to see when we all buy into the change and execute it. I believe we will.

 

[RealisticObserver]

I totally agree in that the successful delivery of this service is on US flight attendants. I like that fact that management finally saw a need to change and acted on it. I'll be even happier to see when we all buy into the change and execute it. I believe we will.

I am trying to stay away from proding the flight attendants on this chain. I know it is hit or miss based on 25+years of dedicated flying with US. I am not expecting Singapore class service, (although i will take the EWR-SIN service in my lifetime just for fun) but cold wine, hot food, decent IFE, and most of all, a F/A who smiles and who is happy to do their job and make the passenger safe and happy. Not too much to ask for, when paying full price for "envoy".

Also, is it worth the $300pp upgrade to row 1 for the sleeper seat on the overnight. How much light comes in from the galley and restrooms.

 

[Career Reserve]

The New Menu of entrees are quite good for airline food.........and that is the KEY, it's airline food. Passengers that expect 5star RESTAURANT type of entrees and super,ultra pampered type of service will still be underwhelmed. Many people have unrealistic visions of grandeur of what can be Attempted and Achieved on an airplane within a realistic cost structure.

Food Service might need some work

Jun 29, 2010 9:15 am US/Eastern FDA: Airline Food Kitchens Have Rodent Problem
Biggest Threat To Your Safety Isn't The Plane's Maintenance; FDA Takes All 3 Major NYC Area Airports To Task

http://wcbstv.com/topstories/airline.food.safety.2.1777603.html

 

[RealisticObserver]

Food Service might need some work

http://wcbstv.com/topstories/airline.food.safety.2.1777603.html
[/quote]

Rumack: What was it we had for dinner tonight?
Elaine Dickinson: Well, we had a choice of steak or fish.
Rumack: Yes, yes, I remember, I had lasagna.

I will stick to the scotch!

 

[phllax]

I will stick to the scotch!

Just like on the old PHX-PHL 300 red-eye?

 

[RealisticObserver]

Just like on the old PHX-PHL 300 red-eye?


Those were the days when you could bring glass through security, and Crown Royal was in style. And, in those pre-merger days, the red-eye east was either AM-West PHX-LAS-PHL, or US PHX-PIT-PHL. While US flew 737-300's the 500 numbered series planes, AM West flew "new" airbus 320's. 4 yrs later, AM West was flying 737-200's thru Columbus, and US had upgraded to the occasional 757. I remember hot meal, overhead movie(s), plug in music, hot towels in coach on the my first US PHL-PHX 737-300 evening flight, circa 1994.

Thats also when United and BA flew DC-10's into PHX, and TWA had 2 or 3 daily L-1011 flights into and out of PHX. Also remember the concorde and TWA 747-200 landing in PHX for the 96 super bowl. Could hear the sound of concorde reverse engine thrusters on the ASU campus at 1am.

 

[galley princess]

One of the choices of entree Westbound is Mac -n cheese. Do I really have to say anymore?

Seriously, some of the food is somewhat better, but catering issues are rampant. I realize that Mr. Adler is trying to address service issues, but F/As have to have the supplies to actually DO the service. BTW is the company trying to get to profitability by not providing paper towels to a/c? Every trip I have had in June has been wrought with catering issues, dirty a/c, no lav supplies, 767s that have video, lights and seats non-functional and A330s that are nightmares.

For about five minutes last year it seemed like things were getting a bit beter, now, it's just situational normal AFU.

On another note, if the company thinks that they are going to eke out more service out of the already overworked International crews, they are really delusional. Our staffing is the worst in the industry. The 333-300 is a slave ship with a possessed video system. If you try to do the service as written you run out of EVERYTHING, most particularly water and glasses and you tick all of the pax off because you're in the aisle too long.

One thing is right, the crew DOES make or break a flight, but the reality is, ten years into this bankruptcy contract, there is just too little left of a lot of F/As to even put up a front. Many work waaay too much, and when people who show up perky because they have some kind of sideline or don't need to fly so much, they end up making the rank and file look worse. I know, because I had a Chairman's complain about that very thing to me.

So basically, you will probably get a competent International crew, polite and efficient, but high end service with a smile? Just remember, if AWA wanted it to be different, they would have settled contracts and pursued labor peace. You get what you pay for.

 

[RealisticObserver]

Thanks for the honest and heartfelt response Princess. A couple of questions for you and any other F/A's who are reading this thread, 1) how many F/A's work the front of the 333 and how many "should" be working the front, and are there "better or worse" 333's in the fleet in terms of showing their age, maintenance issues, cleanliness, etc. Not that I would have control over which plane is placed on the route, but just curious.

 

[SparrowHawk]

Galley Princess,

I can pretty much verify that you are correct as I've heard the same from my friend almost verbatim and I know you're not her so we have 2 sources. She's been around for quite some time. Was PSA prior to that merger.

I think based on what I hear and read the positives come from a Senior Experienced International crew and the negatives come mostly from the airline itself in the form of the terminal cheapness we've come to know from the TFB. (Tempe Frat Boys)

 

[galley princess]

If you're seated up front on an International flight, it will definitely be better than in Economy. The 333s are staffed with three F/As up front, down from four. Most airline's staffing is 4-5 in business class, because that's where their more valuable customers are. AWA doesn't really court frequent flyers, hence our lousy staffing. With the three, actually you do get a pretty good service, the food is better and the wine is passable. Unfortunately, the problem comes with delivery.

Those F/As are BUSY and trying to do the service as expeditiously as possible, so if you're say a beer drinker and you want another beer, it might take a bit longer. Then an oven doesn't work, oh gee we're sorry, your meal will take another thirty minutes. You don't mind that the first three rows are onto dessert do you? Capuccino? 90-10 that you won't even hear it mentioned. It takes too long, the machines take a while to heat up, and by the time the customer gets it, he's done with dessert. Sometimes you get a galley diva that loves making them and will churn out thirty of them no problem. The reason you never get your beer for the entire time you're eating your entree is because the A is trying to re-set the entire a/c videos and the galley person is helping her.

Business class can be a special experience, especially for couples. The furious frequent flyer I dealt with wasn't mad at me, he complimented me on my service, it was everyone else's he had a problem with, basically it was delivered like horses going back to the barn. Another day another dollar. No one felt special up there. When a F/A does six a month and has issues with a/c and catering 5/6 there's no "special" feeling on their end. I WISH it was different, I wish that we weren't run by amoral people who award themselves bonuses with money stolen from labor, but we are. So be kind to your F/As, they are actually very nice tired people.

 

[SOA2]

I am trying to stay away from proding the flight attendants on this chain. I know it is hit or miss based on 25+years of dedicated flying with US. I am not expecting Singapore class service, (although i will take the EWR-SIN service in my lifetime just for fun) but cold wine, hot food, decent IFE, and most of all, a F/A who smiles and who is happy to do their job and make the passenger safe and happy. Not too much to ask for, when paying full price for "envoy".

Also, is it worth the $300pp upgrade to row 1 for the sleeper seat on the overnight. How much light comes in from the galley and restrooms.

You should definitely take the EWR-SIN round trip for an experience that you'll never forget. My wife and I cashed in FF miles for that flight, the world's longest commercial flight, in 2005. The service, food, and drinks (vintage Champaign) were unbelieveable.

When we checked in for our connecting flight from CLT to EWR, the USAirways agent looked at our intinerary and stated "Oh, you're going to fly on a real airline." She was right.