It has been a LONG time since I’ve had a bad seatmate, but this one really took the cake…
Since I am quick to point out flight attendants who provide poor service, it is only fair that I single out passengers when FAs are on the receiving end of bad behavior.
I was a on a short United flight from San Francisco to Los Angeles: a difficult flight for flight attendants since they need to come through the economy class cabin with a choice of stroopwafel, maple cookie, or pretzels for every passenger. Since passengers now have a choice, it often takes them awhile to decide. And because so many passengers appear to be auditory rather than visual actors, the poor flight attendants have to repeat the choices every row.
A beverage service followed…and rather than just offer water or coffee, the flight attendants offered each passenger a choice of beverage. That’s what United “likes” FAs to do, but it becomes quite difficult on such a short hop.
But passengers like my seatmate truly ruin it for everyone.
Keep in mind that we are talking about a 45-minute flight. If FAs don’t move fast, they will not get through the cabin. Thus, it becomes an issue of courtesy. Order your drink and let the FA move on. Otherwise, the back of the aircraft won’t get a drink at all.
My seatmate did not receive the memo.
When the first FA appeared with the snack basket, she asked him which one he would prefer.
“I’ll take all three.”
Not “may I have” or “would it be possible”. Nope, just “I’ll take all three.”
Cue the “this is why we can’t have nice things” argument, because if every passenger took all three, the snack budget would quickly bust…and United might cut it drastically, as they did with wines in the Polaris cabin when passengers drank too much.
> Read More: United Polaris Cutbacks Coming Soon…
But that’s not my main gripe with this guy.
Three Snacks. Three Drinks.
A few minutes later, another FA came by to offer beverages. She asked what he wanted and he said:
I want a cup of coffee with milk and sugar and a can of Coca-Cola with ice. I need the whole can! I also want a cup of still water without ice, but with lemon.
The FA, gently and politely said, said, “Sir, we are trying to serve the entire cabin. Would it be possible to limit your choice to one beverage today so that everyone can have a drink?”
“NO!!! I AM GLOBAL SERVICES. GIVE ME THE DRINKS! I WANT THEM ALL!”
The FA sighed but dutifully complied.
As she was preparing his three drinks, he leaned over to me and said, “Can you believe this? What poor service on this sorry excuse for an airline.”
I just glared him, saying nothing. I think he got the idea I saw things differently and left me alone for the remainder of the flight.
CONCLUSION
Maybe it’s just me, but I found the passenger’s behavior to be disgusting. It’s a 50-minute flight for goodness sakes. You don’t need three beverages, especially when FAs literally have to run to get everyone onboard something to drink.
It is flights like these that make me very thankful that I do not have to put up with all the junk (I’m using a polite word) that FAs must endure on a day-by-day basis…
To my fellow passengers: let’s all be courteous and ensure everyone has a drink and snack before we demand three of each. Please.
> Read More: United Airlines Gambles With New Snack Offerings
image: United
I get stellar service on JetBlue on 45 minute flights all the time – without the eye roll from FA’s. Multiple beverages and two snacks – no problem. I just wish B6 had not pulled out of Dulles. I would fly them every time if I could.
How many times did he get up to pee?
None.
Thank you Matt for this story. I am a FA and read and follow your stories. Kinda shocked a GS acted this way. Normally it’s members who are Gold that act this way, never 1K or GS members.
The customer only asked for some drinks – that cost almost zero. The airlines can charge ridiculous amounts of money , airlines can do all kinds of stuff thats deceitful with their prices , baggage , service , seating , bumping , cancellation fees , ( that we read about and experience ) . is it so bad he asked for a few drinks ?
Well… he is Global Service. That means he travels at least as much as the author of this piece (200K miles/yr) but HE pays full fare 1st and business for the majority of his flights. Hes pissed hes pushed into a seat next to the author. Meanwhile, that’s because he has to watch as United slides into being a credit card company (which will hopfully Bankrupt them in next recession as it did Circuit City) with so many people perking up to business class by buying their company Costco shopping on the United visa card and jumping over him w those points. I don’t blame him.
. The company May be making some poor choices in your opinion but to wish bankruptcy that would effect soo many ppl that have nothing to do with those choices seems harsh.
Global Service is an invitation only program. It’s not based on mileage.
GS’s are not necessary frequent fliers. They are high spenders or in a position to influence or make decisions to bring big business to United. Plus GS’s can attach their status to a travel companion.
I hope your company or business goes bankrupt , and you lose your job Mr Kermit. What an asinine thing to say you want United to go bankrupt. United employs thousands of people worldwide. Why would you want to lose their jobs or be payed off? The employees don’t make the business decisions for the company!
When there is issue between airline employee and a customer , you will find that the airline will alsways upport the employee agaianst the customer , even if the customer is right . The airline will do this many times and eventually it will become unsustainable . The company will go bankrupt but it will not support a customer against a employee. unfortunatley this unremoselfull approach is what causes so many airlines to fail / banruptcy . this is happeneing alsmost every few months .
Airlines are hospitality business , customer is King .
Well said. THANK YOU
Why do you want or need multiple drinks on a 45 minute flight?
Aren’t you special
Thanks for sharing! My experience with United airline was so good and memorable and I get a huge discount on bookings the flights so that was great. If anyone wants an extra discount or offer please book or cancel your ticket thru 1-888-540-7192
Matt it’s not you – it was all him!
Greed is never good.
Matt, that was me. And no, your glare did not deter me. I had to hold myself back to not smack that holier than thou grimace off of your face.
Mind your own business ahole.
Courtesy goes a long way. Too bad some people have become self absorbed pompous a**holes to see it. Spend a day in the FA’s shoes.
Nope, it is my business if you’re sitting next to me. Anybody who tries to play their global services card and is condescending to staff over some lemon water on a 45 minute flight is a bullshit person. End of story. Then again that’s what happens when your global services. You’re never home to see your family or have any normal relationships because you’re always flying. I’ve been there, it wears on you and it turns you into a dick if you let it.
Lol service in America is crap. Flight especially. Just because you don’t want it doesn’t mean he can’t have it either.
Boy you are delightful! NOT!
I am a United flight attendant. Let me tell you, we bend over backwards to make sure every passenger gets a beverage on a short flight. Not exactly easy when we have turbulence, when the pilots need to take a bathroom break during a short flight, and when entitled people have no consideration of the rest of the passengers.
Thanks for the work you do Susie! I appreciate you.
ok ok only you work so hard being a pompous waiter , we don’t work hard at all on the ground to afford a over charged ticket of your useless airline. you are lucky with your ( lack of) educational skills you even have a job . you are a waiter / bar tender type but you think you are some important
Jonathan I’ll remember that when you keel over from a heart attack and are in need of CPR on my flight. I’m just a “bartender” I can’t help. Sorry. ♀️
“Carla – Many people know CPR . I also know CPR and I will also save your backside when you need inspite of your proud . I won’t tell you ” you are just a bartender , I wont save your backside.”
It’s too bad you didn’t feel comfortable to tell this entitled blowhard GS douche the truth. Not blaming you, but your silence inadvertently served as tacit agreement that unfortunately enabled him.
Being silent always helps the entitled and those in power to abuse their power. The only way to fight back is to call out the nonsense.
I’d have called him out and told him he was wrong about the service, being rude to other passengers, and was acting entitled and should stop.
I hope others might learn to speak up when we see wrongdoing or bad behavior. Otherwise, we unfortunately bear some responsibility in having enabled it to continue.
Being passive aggressive and complaining ahout him later in a blog post unfortunately isn’t the same thing.
+1. If the guy gets consistently called out for his boorish behavior, maybe he’ll be less inclined to act that way in the future.
Sorry. He was a hot-blooded New Jerseyan. No thanks.
I’m not a flight attendant, but I work for an airline and the sad truth is that this behavior is pretty consistent. I get that airlines and making money. I get that people are being nickle and dimed in certain ways. I also, from a companies perspective, see the reasons why they do what they do and have resorted to many of these tactics. Some of the change fees and other ancillary free are in direct relation to some of the entitlement some people have. I don’t know what ever happened to just doing your best to be respectful. In this case not just for the Attendants working that flight but for everyone else on board. It’s sad I can’t lie.
So flying slot between sfo/ lax to ord I have ran into a bunch of gs members. I have found there are only two types in my experience. First the one who doesn’t expect any service and is very quite usually 50+ years old. However on the other end of the spectrum you have the crazy demanding people who like your guy expectsa everything like airside transfers upgrades for companions out of j class and just complains about the United has gone to shits. In my experience out of Chicago they are usually 22-40. While this isn’t the rule just and observation and haven’t rly found an in between for the 100+ gd members I’ve had to have as seat mates
After reading most of the comments it is quite obvious the people who do not like Matt UA or the truth. Just an observation not a judgement
Bill is exactly right in his commentary. Why encourage bad behaviour through silence?
You were afraid of a guy from New Jersey? Seriously? But then decided to utilize the material to further your own contribution in the form of an article? Which obviously you profit from in various ways.
Sounds like various angles of narcissism to me. When the end result involves taking action, then it’s noteworthy. The only action taken here was by the flight attendant who noted the situation but already has enough experience to profile the narcissist.
entitlement… the downfall of society
And the downfall of a international airline from 10,000 feet is DRUNK PILOTS of United Airlines flight caught at Glasgow – Newark flight
I prefer to just take a nap in a 45 min flight so I won’t be bothered.
I have been known to ask for an extra stroopwafel. Tragedy of the commons and all that.
As an invitation-only level of status, I think United would gladly revoke Global Services membership from someone running around saying they are a “sorry excuse of an airline”. Plenty of other people who could be better mouthpieces for your brand.
what better mouthpiece than two DRUNK PILOTS caught just before boarding the United Airlines Glasgow- Newark flight .
DRUNK PILOTs
ie. PILOTS of UNITED AIRLINES – were caught DRUNK
i.e PILOTs of an international flight were caught DRUNK . of UNITED AIRLINES
ie. PILOTS of UNITED AIRLINES caught DRUNK , ok .
i.e UNITED AIRLINES PILOTs caught DRUNK , yeah ?
A Halliburton VP was caught with a camera in a lavatory. Are you also trolling on Halliburton forums? There are people in all industries being terrible and making bad decisions in general.
I don’t see anything wrong with asking for all 3 snacks. Sure, a “please” would have been more considerate. Delta flight attendants on the SFO-LAX route often just hand out both the Biscoff coffee and pretzels to speed up service instead of asking. Southwest flight attendants usually hand you multiple packs of pretzels (when they still had peanuts, they just handed both the pretzel and peanuts automatically).
The 3 drinks and GS attitude was uncalled for and really inconsiderate.
The problem is (and maybe it’s a catering issue), we don’t get enough of everything for multiple people to ask for all three. From a customer standpoint, I LOVE that we now offer y’all three snack options, but let’s not be greedy now.
I’d be surprised if he was actually GS. FA would have known that.
+1
+1
Not so bad to quickly ask for all three but the details ar ein the attitude.
Please don;t shame me next time, I often need two drinks and two mini snacks, but I get the request in quickly.
Nobody NEEDS 2 drinks. You simply feel entitled to them. Let’s be honest. There’s a difference.
This is why Americans are fat and have to complain about the adequate seating size. Be courteous or take the train
I’m a UA FA and I can say I usually don’t bother to check the manifest to find out who’s who on a short hop like this.
And it’s not acceptable for ANYONE to ask for 3 drinks at once.
Usually by the time you get to GS you’ve seen enough of The FA struggle to know how the system works and how to not be the monkey wrench.
If you fly enough, you’re the person that doesn’t even get water in the back quarter.
Also, if you feel that way about UA, why fly on it enough to get GS?
(ps – I too always get up toward the end and ask for spare stroopwafel. If I show a pic of my toddler I usually receive 6. UA and babies. It’s incredible. And don’t get me started on GS babies…they basically run the plane)
This article is a bit over-the-top. Professionalism is expected from flight attendants and not passengers. They are only asked not to be disruptive and to comply with safety instructions. Faulting FA’s is not the same as shaming lay passengers.
I agree with you. It’s a bit too much to post about the passenger who did nothing wrong. Sure give him 3 drinks and 3 snacks. None of the other passengers really care tbh
Let’s not forget that:
A) Dotard is an ageist term.
B) The blog’s name is “Live and Let’s Fly,” not “Live and Let’s Judge.”
Yes, this was an old man…and dotard was deliberately chosen for that reason.
The other passengers will care if they don’t get a drink because the flight attendants have run out of time on the short flight because they had to give this man and any others multiple drinks.
The problem is he is impeding the rest of the passengers from getting a beverage at all. Entitled jerk who doesn’t have any consideration for anyone else.
Another example of United fa (sloth) error: Had she checked the Global Services cues sheet, she never would have used the kindergarten teacher method “Sir, we are trying to serve the entire cabin. Would it be possible to limit your choice to one beverage today so that everyone can have a drink?” GS? Just shut up and humor the freak with 3 drinks. Not GS? Call him out as a liar and GS fraud — in kindergarten whisper.
“I’m global services!” Total DB behavior. But this is why I put my noise-canceling earbuds in and start watching something on my tablet as soon as I sit down. I don’t want to get aggravated
Had the misfortune of being seated next to the most entitled Desi-bro on the same route a few weeks ago. Before takeoff, the flight attendant walked by shutting bins and he shouted at her, “attendant!,” physically leaning over me as he gesticulated towards her. Once he had her attention he demanded, “bring me a tea.” She politely informed him that drink service would be after takeoff and she would gladly take care of his request then. He growled acknowledgement at her and proceeded to make a show of fishing through the cards in the seat back pockets (his and mine). That pretty much set the tenor for the rest of the flight: no asks, plenty of elbows, demands and continuously more belligerent reactions. I was just glad he didn’t do anything that would have grounded the flight.
That happened to me once. I inadvertently elbowed him in the neck on his second attempt to lean over me. He say quietly for the next 2 hours, though I would have preferred to watch the FA taze him instead.
Stroopwafel, maple cookie, pretzels, coca cola, milk and sugar in the coffee: add in the aggression and he’s almost certainly on the way to an early grave.
We can only hope!
Taking the United Airlines flight from Glasgow-Newark with the DRUNK PILOTS – thats what will get him to an early grave – possibly a dive straight from 10k feet down to -6 feet . LOL .
@Matthew, you might want to write UA to mitigate any complaint the GS sends about this FA. GS complaints presumably have some weight, so it could probably help her out if you sent something that pointed out his behavior and the FA’s composed response.
As for the actual requests, 3 snacks is fine to me, but it’s the delivery that matters. Also, I routinely ask for 2 drinks during beverage service even on shorter flights – usually alcohol/soft drink and water. I think that’s a reasonable request, but you and others may disagree.
Also, it makes me wonder how airlines outside of North America manage to do a full beverage service in Economy, as well as a full meal in Business on short hops, with time to spare.
Airlines outside of N. America are able to do a full service with time to spare is due to staffing. Instead of having 4 flight attendants on 737, they have 6. Instead of 10 flight attendants on widebody, they have 14-16. But why can’t N. American Airlines do the same? Labor cost baby!
Other airlines are government subsided and have more crew members working. FAA min is 1 FA for 50 seats so you can have 4 people serving 200. Take out one for first class and that is 3 people serving 190 or so in coach.
DYKWIAS everywhere.
So wild that people are blaming the FA in the comments. If they understood how hard it was to do a full service on a short flight, they would be singing a different tune. A 45 minute flight turns into 40 minutes once you are allowed up from your jumpseat. Then another 5-10 minutes to prepare the cart. Don’t forget taking 20 minutes off to prepare the cabin for landing. This leaves approx. 15min to serve an entire plane full of people. I appreciate you calling out this passenger for his poor behavior.
if find it hard being a waiter then you should find another job .
If you find it hard to write in a literate manner, you should stop writing.
To me, its more about how the person made the request than the request itself (ie. the DYKWIA, not saying please and thank you etc). I think there are circumstances where it could be OK to request multiple snacks and drinks. That said, if this person is making these sorts of requests every time he flies, then I think its not just about how he makes the request. Being modest in what you take is common courtesy and class.
Minor objection to the term “Dotard”
do·tard: /ˈdōdərd/ an old person, especially one who has become physically weak or whose mental faculties have declined.
Agree. This guy is not a “dotard” but rather an arrogant cnut , coincidentally ‘elderly’
Entitlement. Just like some female blogger proud to move some paying passenger from his/her assigned business seat, because she and her daughter got an upgrade but insist on seating together. Not even a word of apology or courtesy, but proudly announced that her daughter earned the upgrade (casually ignoring kicking a paying customer to accomodate her entitlement).
What a piece of sh&$!!! I would have said something!! People like these need to know they are disgusting!!
I guess I am not “woke.” I had to google what a “Dotard” is.
Since he leaned over to engage you I would have felt completely comfortable to let his know he’s the pompus snob seff absorbed over indulgent moron and to learn some manners! I guess I do draw issues thinking that 45 minutes is somehow a burden for the FA’s, no, not really when other airlines have proven it can be done well. Heck I’ve flown on some carriers in Europe that actually serve a sandwich and drink in that time range. This passenger was definitely feeling ENTITLED and I have no issues calling them out.
Thank you kind sir, for noticing such things. As a 29 year FA at United I am of the mind that most people are genuinely kind and polite. It takes more work to behave badly in any situation. It happens, but thankfully not as often as one would imagine when coming across nearly 2000 people in a months time. In any event, people like you make our lives much more bearable when such poor behavior is exhibited!
you are just waiter , stop judging people who have achieved more in their lives than you did
And, you, Jonhanthan, are not very proficient with the written word. #judging
It sucks that someone hurt you like this. As much as you put down others and think you are better than them, the same way someone has done to you. I suggest therapy.
ok waiter