Apparent Age discrimination in order of service in Business

[brad330]

VA776 73H BSI LUNCH
0930 CNS-1140 BNE

VA950 73H BSI LUNCH
1300 BNE-1535 SYD

Travelled with mum and three sisters (11,13,15) Mock tail or water on boarding for both flights, first flight had lemon wedge in it. Crew on first flight looked and acted very tiered with heads hands. After economy crew released CSM waited ten mins leaning against door. When he got up he then asked if we were hungry and gave the options of pasta with meatballs or salad. All went for pasta. Meal received and then drink delivered then bread this order was the same for the second flight. Drinks refilled when empty the CSM was behalf eating a muesli bar and cam into cabin and asked if we wanted a drink while still eating my 13yo sister turned to me and said how unprofessional that was. I found the all male crew to be very bogan in the slang they used and the was they conducted them selves they were missing a woman's touch.

Second flight male CSM again all the same exept that the CSM completely ignored row one which my sisters and I were sitting in and served other second row meal and drink and ife then half way through the flight served my sisters and I. We all felt very discriminated against that the adults got served then children even though we were row one. It's not like they ar e ferrel bogans. They are very well presented and behaved for there ages.

I have given VA benifit of the doubt and swapped from QF and I find they are slipping. They need to change it up. I am almost platinum so I am stuck for the next t year or two.
View attachment 11583View attachment 11584
Next flight is 1700 CBR-1810 MEL which I know is a snack. What should I expect? If it is the salmon or cheeses plate I will eat it he lounge.

Regards

Brad

 

[bullerdude]

Second flight male CSM again all the same exept that the CSM completely ignored row one which my sisters and I were sitting in and served other second row meal and drink and ife then half way through the flight served my sisters and I. We all felt very discriminated against that the adults got served then children even though we were row one. It's not like they ar e ferrel bogans. They are very well presented and behaved for there ages.

Unacceptable. I can accept that VA may have a policy to serve adults first (probably a business decision), however, that does not excuse the CSM from not serving your family members until sometime later in the flight. I think that all passengers should be served equally regardless of age.

I would contact the VA Gold/Plat centre to provide feedback and/or make a complaint.

 

[AirlineGuy]

Re: Virgin Australia Business Class Catering - Service, Meal times, Menus

Unacceptable. I can accept that VA may have a policy to serve adults first (probably a business decision), however, that does not excuse the CSM from not serving your family members until sometime later in the flight. I think that all passengers should be served equally regardless of age.

I would contact the VA Gold/Plat centre to provide feedback and/or make a complaint.

I find it hard to believe that any crew member would simply just serve row 2. Wait for them to finish. Clear away, and then wait for half way through the flight to then 'decide' to serve the 'children' in row 1. Assuming such children are also with their parents in the J cabin? Perhaps the CS wanted to offer the adults the full selection of meals, and then if such options are not suitable for the children, which in my experience many are not, they would offer items from the Y menu

Perhaps there were Platinum members in row 2. Or VIP members. They will always be served first.

The crew won't always start at row 1. There may be passengers with catering not assured in the cabin, whereby a efficient CS will work the cabin in a different order. All in all, everyone will be served.

For what it's worth, when in J on VA 777, the service began at the back of the cabin in my area and worked forward. I didn't feel discriminated against.

We shouldn't always be so quick to jump to conclusions and shoot down every effort by VA and their crew.

 

[pat25d]

Re: Virgin Australia Business Class Catering - Service, Meal times, Menus

We shouldn't always be so quick to jump to conclusions and shoot down every effort by VA and their crew.

Except that he said they did meals, drinks and IFE for row 2 before serving the kids. That's unacceptable IMHO.

Even if it's their policy to serve adults first they should still be done as adults drinks, kids drinks, adults food, kids food and so on.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Re: Virgin Australia Business Class Catering - Service, Meal times, Menus

Agree catering is not always served from 1A. AA use FEBO. Even numbered flight starts at the front,back odd, as an example

 

[Ewing]

Virgin Australia Business Class Catering - Service, Meal times, Menus

Agree catering is not always served from 1A. AA use FEBO. Even numbered flight starts at the front,back odd, as an example

Just to clarify for those who are unfamiliar with this.

This only affects meal preference taking. The actual delivery of meals is still front to back (at least on the flights I've taken).

I've seen VA take preferences by presumably FF rank and/or fare class before.

 

[lovestotravel]

Re: Virgin Australia Business Class Catering - Service, Meal times, Menus

When I used to fly Virgin in the middle of the year, my seat 1A was always served before anyone else

I have given VA benifit of the doubt and swapped from QF and I find they are slipping.

I did the same thing and went running back to QF with open arms, and haven't looked back

My VA Plat is good until March 2014, and then Gold until March 2015 which is good enough for me

Of course, I will fly the odd Virgin flight next year if the price is far cheaper than QF but that's about it

 

[brad330]

Virgin Australia Business Class Catering - Service, Meal times, Menus

I have just arrived in Melbourne from Canberra on DJ278 in Business and once again the Cabin Manager Steve rudely walked straight past row one and took orders from row two then came back to row one stating to my sisters and I that "all I have to give you is a frittata". This is the second time in just over a week where my sisters and I have been served second even though we are in row one, though it wasn't as bad as our previous flight where the cabin manager fully served row two before even talking o us I find this really really rude and it is really starting to bug me!

On another note the Frittata and Cheese cake was delicious.

 

[Jousams]

Re: Virgin Australia Business Class Catering - Service, Meal times, Menus

I have just arrived in Melbourne from Canberra on DJ278 in Business and once again the Cabin Manager Steve rudely walked straight past row one and took orders from row two then came back to row one stating to my sisters and I that "all I have to give you is a frittata". This is the second time in just over a week where my sisters and I have been served second even though we are in row one, though it wasn't as bad as our previous flight where the cabin manager fully served row two before even talking o us I find this really really rude and it is really starting to bug me!

By the look of your dp we are around the same age.
I have never had this problem, and am always served first as 1A is my preferred seat, so it must be only some FA's who have a problem with providing proper service to those who appear much younger than them.
However I completely understand where you're coming from and if this happened to me i would be vocal about it. Maybe a simple email to Virgin asking them to end apparent discrimination is in order.

 

[Plutonus]

Re: Virgin Australia Business Class Catering - Service, Meal times, Menus

Happens to me as well. I've kind of come to expect it. I can't remember who, but a while ago I and another member remarked that the greetings to 'younger' guests also differ in comparison. Not that I love being called Sir but is definitely noticeable when you just get a "Hello".

 

[KCMil]

Re: Virgin Australia Business Class Catering - Service, Meal times, Menus

It's not on to be treated differently at your age brad. Where a guest is clearly junior, eg. 12/13 the accepted process is "miss" or "master" or first names, however in your case where you are borderline and clearly look older it should still be "Mr and Surname or Sir. And under NO circumstances should you be served last unless all other guests are Platinum. But the service should be exemplary in every case, you pay your money you get your ride!!!

 

[maninblack]

Re: Virgin Australia Business Class Catering - Service, Meal times, Menus

Why should row 1 be served first? I always choose row 2 when possible and my status is as high as anyone else. I have seen them serve row 1 first normally but sometimes row 2. The fact that they sometimes don't load enough meal choices is a separate issue. There are only 8 seats!

 

[straitman]

Re: Virgin Australia Business Class Catering - Service, Meal times, Menus

Why should row 1 be served first? I always choose row 2 when possible and my status is as high as anyone else. I have seen them serve row 1 first normally but sometimes row 2. The fact that they sometimes don't load enough meal choices is a separate issue. There are only 8 seats!

Maybe they need a system like AA employs.

 

[pshepvic]

Virgin Australia Business Class Catering - Service, Meal times, Menus

Just to clarify for those who are unfamiliar with this.

This only affects meal preference taking. The actual delivery of meals is still front to back (at least on the flights I've taken).

I've seen VA take preferences by presumably FF rank and/or fare class before.

Not in my experience - I've taken many AA flights in F and have found that FEBO has applied to both the ordering AND delivery of meals.

 

[serfty]

Not in my experience - I've taken many AA flights in F and have found that FEBO has applied to both the ordering AND delivery of meals.

In my experience, "Preferences" (AKA FEBO) is almost always followed on AA flights, however on the narrow bodies, the actual order of serving can vary - frequently depending on whether a trolly is used.

On the wide bodies, it's all done from trolleys - so serving usually follows your order before the next PAX is attended to.

 

[pat25d]

Re: Virgin Australia Business Class Catering - Service, Meal times, Menus

Why should row 1 be served first?

I think Brad's bigger issue isn't being served after row 1, but not being given respect shown to other (older) passengers, based purely on his age.

As a early-20s BIS Platinum I can empathise (however I have only been treated like this by QF, not VA).

 

[maninblack]

Re: Virgin Australia Business Class Catering - Service, Meal times, Menus

I have not observed any age discrimination. My kids have always been treated well or at least consistently with other passengers when in J whether it be on VA or QF. As to VA business class service, well there has been a great deal of comment by me and others. The best that could be said is that it is still 'all over the shop'. Four flights in the past month and I'm amazed at how erratic it still is.

 

[Plutonus]

Re: Virgin Australia Business Class Catering - Service, Meal times, Menus

I think discrimination may be a too strong word here. It isn't really about row 1 or 2 - I get served/asked last no matter what row I am in. If there's a line to the lounge, everyone in front always is "Hello Sir" or variant, whereas for me it's just "Hello". It isn't that big a deal, but when it happens every time it starts to feel like Virgin doesn't value younger customers, or, their training has told them younger customers aren't worth as much money. Problem with that is, someone 20 compared to someone 40 has an extra 20 years of travel dollars to spend...

 

[KCMil]

Re: Virgin Australia Business Class Catering - Service, Meal times, Menus

Actually, in reality, every airfare is valuable in a customer service industry.

 

[muppet]

Re: Virgin Australia Business Class Catering - Service, Meal times, Menus

I think discrimination may be a too strong word here. It isn't really about row 1 or 2 - I get served/asked last no matter what row I am in. If there's a line to the lounge, everyone in front always is "Hello Sir" or variant, whereas for me it's just "Hello". It isn't that big a deal, but when it happens every time it starts to feel like Virgin doesn't value younger customers, or, their training has told them younger customers aren't worth as much money. Problem with that is, someone 20 compared to someone 40 has an extra 20 years of travel dollars to spend...

I often don't get a "sir" either and I'm fine with that. (mid 20s)
However, as you say, I often get a "hi muppet" when everyone else had a "hello sir". On board I rarely get "Mr Muppet" when in 1A yet hear others being addressed by their last name. Maybe they assumed we prefer informal (sort of true, I don't like sir but i like "mr" or at least first name address); or maybe it's because 80% of my bookings are points upgrades (which it frustrates me that the manifest/boarding pass states i'm an upgrade) however I think most business pax are upgrades.