Thoughts on selling drinks

[N965VJ]

You know, with all Tempe’s talk about the IFE being a weight issue, I’m surprised they haven’t announced a plan to carry less potable water in the tanks.

Ooops! Just gave a cubicle drone an idea.

This post is double ROT-13 encrypted to abate the snoops in Tempe.

 

[nycbusdriver]

My big fear is that if customers "protest" by buying their beverages at airport vendors, management will issue a mandate to provision less beverages on board. Then what happens when they "under-estimate" the demand for on-board beverages in the name of saving fuel?? That is health risk in my opinion, and all it will take is one serious incident due to a lack of beverage provisioning that will cost them far more than they stand to save by this nickel-and-dime directive.

The only beverage required to be available is water. If the water tank is serviced before departure, there is no way that there would be a "lack of provisioning." The water has to be potable, but that is all. It doesn't have to be cold, chilled, or even taste good.

 

[LCC_#1]

What are we protesting? The high price of fuel, right? The oil companies billion dollar profits on the backs of the working class, right?
:blink:

I think it's just a funny way of saying perhaps, maybe just perhaps, we have gone too far and a way of lightening up what could be a possible hostile situation.

 

[ggiby]

If I ever fly US again. I will be bringing my own bottle of water on and it will be a big one as well. I drink a lot of water on the flight, and I have been doing it for years, and its not because its free. I just don't like them saying the change is due to the high price of oil. I also want them to make a fair profit as well. But I totally disagree on how they have approached this change, and it ain't the two bucks either.

I started carrying nuts onboard for snacks years ago because of their switch to the $0.03 pretzels. I just prefer nuts as a snack.

I don't think this change will save any gas. It will just take an expense and convert it to income. SO be honest and state that, and don't blame it on the price of gas.

Oh man.... you cant bring nuts..... what about the poor kid w/ the peanut allergy???

 

[songbirdstew]

Actually, it may backfire. I know they want to generate revenue, but then they will have to deal with the expense of passengers bringing their own food/drink on the plane. Not everyone will, but if 100 passengers brought two bottles of water (16 fl oz bottle) on a plane, that will result in an additional 200 pounds of weight for the plane. Not sure how that will translate into fuel burn....

OH CRAP BATMAN !!! Now we won't have enough trash space for all the stuff pax bring with them....hm, we'll just stick it in the unused ovens---for now.

 

[signals]

Speaking of tips, will we now be able to accept them? I mean what service person DOESN'T??????????

Look what I found!

I can't accept tips, either. But a determined and suave customer or pax can tip you in unconventional ways.

Give you a $5 for a soda or a $10 for a drink, and insist they had no change coming...is just one example. Say the attentive fa dropped a ten or something while assisting others and you picked it up for them. Then you can always leave it in a noticeable area as yo exit the ac.

Just be cool about it.

 

[FlightChic]

I realize we aren't supposed to accept tips but we are making very low wages and every flight attendant I know accepts tips without thinking twice about it. If the company doesn't like it, then they need to pay us better. Period! It's not that hard to grasp - you sell a drink, someone pays you, gives you a tip, and you accept it and thank the person. That money helps pay for food or bills. I can't believe this is even being discussed. As for company policy, I don't care...they change "policy" for us all the time and implement new policies that violate our contract or put us in the line of fire.

 

[2clippedwings]

I don't accept tips although I express appreciation to the passenger for the thought.

Personally, I am uncomfortable taking tips as I am not a waitress. (nor a vending machine).
I believe flight attendants are safety professionals.

Just MY opinion.

 

[Zarah]

I don't accept tips although I express appreciation to the passenger for the thought.

Personally, I am uncomfortable taking tips as I am not a waitress. (nor a vending machine).
I believe flight attendants are safety professionals.

Just MY opinion.

I refuse tips too. In a nice and appreciative way.

 

[signals]

I never thought about tipping a fa until I read an article about it awhile back. Too bad I didn't bookmark it. But check this uncanny article from May 2007!
From October 2006!

I joke alot but lets face it, fas have one of the many thankless jobs that are taken for granted. More! You're entertainers, babysitters, teachers, bartenders, maids/butlers, frontline workers, doctors, therapists, 'calmer-downers'(you know what I mean), ambassador for the airline, moms/dads, police, heroes, etc.

Unfortunately, most people don't know what they got until it's gone. No, I'm not quoting a song but rather a fact that people, in general, take things for granted. In Europe it is traditional to clap when the plane lands and the pilot says Thank-you over the speaker.

Lets face it, tipping may be against company policy, but it is the passenger who is breaking the rules. Think about it.

How would I tip? Order a drink, keep the cup, and leave a few bills as I exited the plane. Finders keepers...

You all deserve it!

 

[US1YFARE]

pax can tip you in unconventional ways.

h34r: do you still have galley curtains? h34r:

 

[PITbull]

It's funny how f/a's think they know what airlines should do and how the public will react. I have lived in CLT now for 4 years. 90 or so miles is GSO. Here we have passengers that will drive from CLT to GSO to save money and you all think passengers will seriously think about the overall small cost of something to drink and eat when most grab something in the airport anyway if the price is right? I think not. When Skybus was around, those same GSO passengers KNEW the more they got, the higher the overall price. Now that a "legacy" is doing it, the sky (no pun intended)is falling.

I just flew a trip and was amazed at how many people just took something because it was free...didn't act like they wanted it or needed it..just free. THEN, the darn stuff isn't even finished. More waste..just like food on redeyes and full cans on the shortest of flights.
Plus, word must be getting out as 1/4 of the passengers didn't want anything. Many also had money ready.

Listen, I don't want this anymore than the next person, but it is going to happen. The only ones biiatching are the FF and the company has shown them the door a looong time ago, so those comments no longer are valid. Employees are making FAR TOO MUCH about this. Bottom line, no change, no drink.

I agree.

Don't sweat this stuff. This is a company decision and they are responsible for the business plan; not the f/as or your MEC...Just let it happen. The customers will dictate whether they want to spend more $$ for sodas. If you remember the BOB snacks didn't go over very well. There were many left over and f/as got through the service quickly. , better this than the company going after more concessions from the employee. They have to generate revenue from somewhere to make up for some of the fuel expense.

Way I see it...there will be f/as less in the asile and more in their jumpseats. You'll get through the service in jackflash time. PAXs just aren't going to pay more for what was once free; now is not.

AND IF YOU HAVE TO COMP BEVERAGES FOR THOSE WHO HAVE MEDICAL PROBLEMS...WELL HELLs BELLS, THAT COULD BE 90% OF THE PASSENGERS ON BOARD.

Your call; no one can question your judegement on this issue !

 

[aredeeyou22]

Spot on, LCC # 1. It's $2. Big deal.

 

[QA4Jet-A]

h34r: do you still have galley curtains? h34r:

LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe grab a pillow or 2 and a Blankie and.... charge another $5 for the show to go along with the $2 water cup!

 

[ussnark]

They have to generate revenue from somewhere to make up for some of the fuel expense.

They claim they have to generate revenue from somewhere to make up for their incompetence, especially when it comes to Res/Sabre->QIK changeover.

There, fixed that for you.