Drink refills
Drink refills
I don't drink alcohol when flying. As such I get slightly irritated when I get offered a top up during the meal because I am never offered a top up of what I'm actually drinking - the offer is always wine. Even if I ask for a top up of what I am drinking I often don't seem to get it.
Am I being oversensitive?
Am I being oversensitive?
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Essex
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What you have written reminds me of the time I was served cheap, nasty longlife UHT orange juice when flying First on BA. I was astounded!
There is so much emphasis on wine. Another example: the last time I wanted beer when flying Club World on BA I was served warm beer!
There is so much emphasis on wine. Another example: the last time I wanted beer when flying Club World on BA I was served warm beer!
Neither the price, nor the airline, seems to make any difference. I've had it happen to me in economy/coach and business and on multiple airlines. It does seem endemic so changing the airline or class (except maybe to first) probably isn't going to make a difference.
And, I don't want alcohol when flying.
And, I don't want alcohol when flying.
Join Date: Feb 2000
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I'll try and help...
In economy, there would normally (not always) be a full bar service before a meal. Meal carts are often (not always) fully loaded with meal entrees and accessories, leaving room on the cart for wine bottles and tea/coffee, but not for a full bar selection: Therefore any request that isn't wine/tea/coffee may require a trip to the galley. Some airlines forbid a cart from being left unattended, so a single crew member may not be able to leave for an ad-hoc drink request: Sometimes prompt access to the galley is not possible due to aisle obstruction by other carts out of immediate sight. Sometimes, laziness is the determinant.
In Business and upwards, I would expect any such request to be dealt with promptly and pleasantly.
In economy, there would normally (not always) be a full bar service before a meal. Meal carts are often (not always) fully loaded with meal entrees and accessories, leaving room on the cart for wine bottles and tea/coffee, but not for a full bar selection: Therefore any request that isn't wine/tea/coffee may require a trip to the galley. Some airlines forbid a cart from being left unattended, so a single crew member may not be able to leave for an ad-hoc drink request: Sometimes prompt access to the galley is not possible due to aisle obstruction by other carts out of immediate sight. Sometimes, laziness is the determinant.
In Business and upwards, I would expect any such request to be dealt with promptly and pleasantly.
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In Business and upwards, I would expect any such request to be dealt with promptly and pleasantly.
On the very (very) rare occasions when it isn't, I politely and discretely let the #1 crew member know that I expect it to be the case from now until the end of the flight.
Hartington must be quite unlucky to receive consistently poor service in a premium cabin.
Join Date: Mar 2007
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To follow up on Tight Slot's comments, in economy, you could always ask for a extra drink during the bar service, that way, you'll have one on hand during the meal.
In a premium cabin, a good FA should offer a top up of whatever you're drinking even it it means a trek to the galley. If that's not happening, by all means ask for one but I agree, you shouldn't have to, it's basic hospitality.
In a premium cabin, a good FA should offer a top up of whatever you're drinking even it it means a trek to the galley. If that's not happening, by all means ask for one but I agree, you shouldn't have to, it's basic hospitality.
Tightslot, sorry, you've missed the point.
Just because that's the way carts are loaded that doesn't mean that's the way they have to be loaded. Change the load. If necessary change the design. Why should I be discriminated against because I choose not to drink wine with my meal? Why should the crew have to make a special journey?
Get with the market and provide what the passenger (this one at least) wants.
Just because that's the way carts are loaded that doesn't mean that's the way they have to be loaded. Change the load. If necessary change the design. Why should I be discriminated against because I choose not to drink wine with my meal? Why should the crew have to make a special journey?
Get with the market and provide what the passenger (this one at least) wants.
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Golly Gosh! That'll teach me to try and be helpful!
...seems a somewhat harsh term to me - one I would normally expect to see tethered to either political or socio-economic issues rather than the availability of a seven-up at dinner time? Clearly I had not fully appreciated the depth of feeling on this matter.
Presumably, those customers that would prefer shellfish to the offered choice of chicken or beef must be feeling similarly outraged? And don't even get me started on the discrimination against fried egg lovers when constantly faced with breakfast omelette or scrambled! I can almost sense the excitement amongst Strasbourg lawyers at such blatant disregard for Human Rights.
Come on, Hartington - You started with a reasonable post asking a reasonable question, to which you were given reasonable answers. If you can convince the airlines that a majority of customers feel as you do, then service, cart design and procedures will be amended accordingly: Until then, VS-LHRCSA has suggested a sensible and workable alternative, surely.
discriminated against
Presumably, those customers that would prefer shellfish to the offered choice of chicken or beef must be feeling similarly outraged? And don't even get me started on the discrimination against fried egg lovers when constantly faced with breakfast omelette or scrambled! I can almost sense the excitement amongst Strasbourg lawyers at such blatant disregard for Human Rights.
Come on, Hartington - You started with a reasonable post asking a reasonable question, to which you were given reasonable answers. If you can convince the airlines that a majority of customers feel as you do, then service, cart design and procedures will be amended accordingly: Until then, VS-LHRCSA has suggested a sensible and workable alternative, surely.
Why should I be discriminated against because I choose not to drink wine with my meal?
I understand it is too hard to say something like 'Excuse me would it be possible to get me a cup of hot outrage with a side of boorish attitude? Thanks'. So I guess for a while longer the evil cabin crew will continue to taunt you with their offers of 'Red or White?'.
Paxing All Over The World
You want to know how discriminated against I feel, when they keep offering me beer that I do not drink and then coffee. Why, oh why oh why, do they KEEP on presenting me with a pitcher of stinking coffee. Surely they know that I am allergic to it and even the very smell turns my stomach? 
Somehow, I just manage to be polite one more time and decline without telling them to redesign a system of equipment and training that manages to keep the vast majority of customers happy, whilst trying to minimise the workload of the staff.
I wonder why there isn't a call bell next to my desk, so that someone will bring me a cup of tea? Oi, you Moderator - jump to it!!!
Somehow, I just manage to be polite one more time and decline without telling them to redesign a system of equipment and training that manages to keep the vast majority of customers happy, whilst trying to minimise the workload of the staff.
I wonder why there isn't a call bell next to my desk, so that someone will bring me a cup of tea? Oi, you Moderator - jump to it!!!
Too mean to buy a long personal title
But it's a perfectly reasonable complaint if the crew don't then make that special journey for you (when they can) with a refill of something that's not on the trolley at that time.
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Oh my goodness. This is one of the reasons why I try to stay out of the SLF forum.
You have come on here with a fairly minor problem and asked if you are being over sensitive. You were told by many that, yes, you are being over sensitive. Some, like Tight Slot and myself have gone out of their way to explain how things are done and have offered solutions - on our own time.
You then go on to argue the point, so much so that you are demanding that airlines completely re-design their galleys, carts, loadings and service routines. Never mind the fact that the other 300+ pax seem to be capable of ordering a drink to suit themselves.
If you really are so worked up over this, then I suggest that it is time to examine yourself. No disrespect but you might benefit from some therapy.
You have come on here with a fairly minor problem and asked if you are being over sensitive. You were told by many that, yes, you are being over sensitive. Some, like Tight Slot and myself have gone out of their way to explain how things are done and have offered solutions - on our own time.
You then go on to argue the point, so much so that you are demanding that airlines completely re-design their galleys, carts, loadings and service routines. Never mind the fact that the other 300+ pax seem to be capable of ordering a drink to suit themselves.
If you really are so worked up over this, then I suggest that it is time to examine yourself. No disrespect but you might benefit from some therapy.
Join Date: Jun 2004
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You see, this is the only major gripe I have with SLF..... The fact that they assume we crew should know what each individual wants at any given time!!!
If you dont ask.....YOU DONT GET!
I have absolutely no problem offering an extra drink or two during the bar round if you want something to drink with your meal....just ask!
If you ask for something while I am out with the wines and meal trays I will get it for you the first chance I get...if I forget, remind me, I will apologise and hop straight to it before I do anything else! Any crew member worth their salt would do this I am sure!!!
But yes, I feel you are being over sensitive!
If you dont ask.....YOU DONT GET!
I have absolutely no problem offering an extra drink or two during the bar round if you want something to drink with your meal....just ask!
If you ask for something while I am out with the wines and meal trays I will get it for you the first chance I get...if I forget, remind me, I will apologise and hop straight to it before I do anything else! Any crew member worth their salt would do this I am sure!!!
But yes, I feel you are being over sensitive!
Hartington,
It's obvious from the responses here that the professionals want to meet your requirements but the message coming from them is that you're going to have to help them understand your needs a little more.
Ever ready to help, I have copied below a little ditty from the Temperence League which may assist you. I suggest you sing it loud and clear every time you need a refill.
Best wishes
Clareprop
PS. Tremulous Debauchee is just old fashioned talk for C and F Class....
It's obvious from the responses here that the professionals want to meet your requirements but the message coming from them is that you're going to have to help them understand your needs a little more.
Ever ready to help, I have copied below a little ditty from the Temperence League which may assist you. I suggest you sing it loud and clear every time you need a refill.
Best wishes
Clareprop
PS. Tremulous Debauchee is just old fashioned talk for C and F Class....
WATER !—OH ! WATER FOR ME.
O H ! water for me—bright water for me ! And wine for the tremulous debauchee! It cooleth the brow, it cooleth the brain, It maketh the faint one strong again ; It comes o'er the sense like a breeze from the sea : All freshness, like infant purity. Oh water, bright water, for me, for me! Give wine, give wine to the debauchee !
O H ! water for me—bright water for me ! And wine for the tremulous debauchee! It cooleth the brow, it cooleth the brain, It maketh the faint one strong again ; It comes o'er the sense like a breeze from the sea : All freshness, like infant purity. Oh water, bright water, for me, for me! Give wine, give wine to the debauchee !
You're all taking this too personally. My beef is not with the way cabin crew do their job. You are working within the pattern set down by your employer.
That doesn't mean the pattern is correct. Maybe I am being oversensitive but since we have a paralell thread regarding whether booze should even be served in the first place it seems to me that while there are plenty of people who enjoy their wine etc sensibly there are those of us who would prefer something else and we're not being catered for.
Why should some of us (me!) have to ask for a refill when others get it automatically?
I can feel a few letters to airlines as I travel coming on - a one man crusade even.
Might make me feel better even if it doesn't do any good.
Thanks for letter me rant.
That doesn't mean the pattern is correct. Maybe I am being oversensitive but since we have a paralell thread regarding whether booze should even be served in the first place it seems to me that while there are plenty of people who enjoy their wine etc sensibly there are those of us who would prefer something else and we're not being catered for.
Why should some of us (me!) have to ask for a refill when others get it automatically?
I can feel a few letters to airlines as I travel coming on - a one man crusade even.
Might make me feel better even if it doesn't do any good.
Thanks for letter me rant.