I boarded an American Airlines flight from Austin to Dallas, and the flight attendant standing in the first class galley was still wearing a “WAR” pin on his uniform. “We Are Ready” (to strike). That seemed odd, since cabin crew have ratified the agreement their union negotiated with the company.
I was upgraded to first class on a $57 basic economy ticket. That was pretty great value. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t feel cheated out of my $57, but it was notable that no predeparture beverages were offered, and the crewmember wasn’t interested in hanging my jacket.
He did a pass through the first class cabin for drink service, and was leaving full cans of soda. It occurred to me how much I don’t like that practice, and I feel the same way about leaving the full can in first class and in coach but for different reasons.
If you’re a first class passenger why are you pouring your own drinks? That’s why the Emirates first class in-seat minibar never made sense to me.
Of course, since Emirates offered a personal bar in first class seats, Etihad had to do it, too. If you want a limited selection of warm beverages I guess that’s great, but they literally have staff whose job it is to bring you whatever you wish.
I’ll be using my laptop. I can fit a cup on there but don’t really want to stick both a cup and a can of soda on the tray beside my computer. Besides, I don’t want to drink a full can!
That’s why I’ll usually ask crew not to leave the, which annoys them because they aren’t collecting trash and they’re trying to get through service. In any case, the only soda where I’d consider finishing a whole can – and honestly even there I’d question myself for doing so – is Dr. Brown’s.
I’d much prefer being asked “do you want the can, sir?” And I can say no until some airline starts carry Dr. Brown’s.
The horrors !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Agree in E I expect a full can as there is no second serve. But in F. No I expect a fresh drink.
As for the self serve that seems more like a sampling menu than service. Or grab and take. 90% of those items I do not drink
I occasionally have a Bloody Mary on an early-morning flight if I am not heading to a business meeting. Flight Attendants never shake the can before pouring, so you get a watery-vodka-y glass. I always ask for the can to top up. As Tim say, “the horrors!”
The definition of a first-world problem.
People receiving a full can don’t mind spilling the full can on themselves .
I always decline one full can of beer , unless they will bring me three at a time .
I’m fine with and would rather mix my own drinks. Now not doing PDBs is another thing. And yes flight attendants are still walking around with their Ready to Strike label.
What the … this guys gotta be kidding … I’d pour the soda over his head & crush the can on his forehead … Jackass.
I have to admit. American is the only airline that I’ve seen do this on semi short flights .
I’m not sure how long the flight is from Austin to Dallas but routinely on flights from Charlotte to Atlanta in FC, the flight attendants have left me two bottles of alcohol if I order and the whole can. The weird thing is if I order just a soft drink I got the cup and a refill.
A lot of times that second bottle would be my to-go bottle because the flight is kind of short. I don’t hate it but I do understand the conundrum of the can taking up the space on your tray table especially if you’re in the first class bulkhead on the a319
I think this is a valid discussion, nothing will come of it, just fun to discuss, I don’t like the full can, I am always concerned I am going to spill it on me. I also do not like drinking the full can and I do like Dr. Brown Cream soda. For me, I just get up and return the can empty or not to the galley. Good to stand up every once in a while. I also will generally bring my own bottle, then I can place the cap back on, except out of Philadelphia where they only sell Pepsi.
Last thought on this, some airlines carry the large bottles and pour from there, I wonder if someone did an analysis on how long it takes to pour each glass wait for the foam to settle vs giving out a can and moving on.
Hm, I feel the opposite on every count but I respect the differing opinions! I almost always want the full can and would prefer it to be offered proactively; if I were pressed for space because I was working, I’d say, “I don’t want the full can, please.” Airlines that don’t offer the full can seem stingy to me.
I prefer to pour it myself (maybe I want it 5 minutes later; maybe I don’t want the ice to dilute it) and top it off myself. I’d rather not bother the crew just because I finished my first 100mL and want another.
Seth
Imagine spending your Sunday morning writing a post about soda cans and still somehow find a way to twist it in order to bash unions lol
Meanwhile, in other parts of the world . . . . . . . .
The intricacies of First Class travel are just fascinating! LOL…
I was thinking more along the lines of a potty emergency with all the lactic acid. That kind of attentive service has gone the way of the dinosaur on US airlines. I, however,would be an old school FA but I couldn’t tolerate coach.
I noticed the WAR lanyards this week as well. They should be replaced with “commodity labor under contract.”