Birthday Cake

[SMK77]

Because, as some others have pointed out also, not everyone likes to make their birthday known. Why does such a simple point escape your comprehension?

I know people that don't like to be addressed by name. Do you suggest SQ should discontinue this practice as well?

[MAN Flyer]

Come on guys, play nice and lets not allow this to get too personal.

[qantas_flyer]

Come on guys, play nice and lets not allow this to get too personal.

Personal? I haven't been called by name!

[astroboy]

I know people that don't like to be addressed by name. Do you suggest SQ should discontinue this practice as well?

I do not suggest SQ do anything, since I'm not in the aviation business. What I'm suggesting is, if there are people who don't like to be addressed by name, then make it known. Just like you would like to have a birthday cake presented to you with birthday wishes thrown in, make it known. You have an allergy? Make it known. You prefer window seats? Make it known. This is not your personal airline, though as much as the service can be personalized, how can you expect the CC to know who wants to be congratulated for reaching X number of years on this planet and who doesn't?

Imagine this scenario: Mr A is flying on his birthday. Birthday cake is uplifted for him. So happens that Mr A is having a bad day because of whatever reasons. And along comes the CC presenting him with a cake complete with card and wishes, champagne, et al. Now Mr A gets even more upset (for whatever reason), comes to SQTalk and vents that SQ service is terrible, etc, crew don't respect his privacy, didn't check with him, blah blah, etc.

So SQ management now implements a new procedure. CC now have to check with pax first whether he/she wants to be presented with birthday cake. Now Mr B is flying on his birthday. CC comes to check with him about whether he would like the cake/card/wishes. Mr B gets upset (for whatever reason), comes to SQTalk and vents that SQ service is terrible, etc, what's the point of the CC having to ask first, might as well not have a cake, blah blah, etc.

So, please enlighten us, how would you propose solving this dilemma?

[SMK77]

So, please enlighten us, how would you propose solving this dilemma?

How embarrassing is it to call SQ to 'remind' them not to forget one's birthday?! If they don't care, they don't care.

There is no dilemma at all. SQ has paid attention to its passengers' birthdays for ages and just discontinued it some time back. It is still common practice in the aviation industry to 'honor' the birthday of a (status) passenger and I don't see anything wrong with that.

I can point you to a lot of post on the internet of pax who were delighted that the airline made a point to say 'happy birthday'. Maybe you can show me where all the complaints are posted about that?

Every airline nowadays is 'mass production'. You are just another cattle to be flown from A to B. Personalization is the effort to at least put lipstick on the pig and give you the impression that someone pays attention.

[qantas_flyer]

How embarrassing is it to call SQ to 'remind' them not to forget one's birthday?! If they don't care, they don't care.

There is no dilemma at all. SQ has paid attention to its passengers' birthdays for ages and just discontinued it some time back. It is still common practice in the aviation industry to 'honor' the birthday of a (status) passenger and I don't see anything wrong with that.

I can point you to a lot of post on the internet of pax who were delighted that the airline made a point to say 'happy birthday'. Maybe you can show me where all the complaints are posted about that?

Every airline nowadays is 'mass production'. You are just another cattle to be flown from A to B. Personalization is the effort to at least put lipstick on the pig and give you the impression that someone pays attention.

SMK77, what gets me is, who calls an airline, in fact any business and tell them it's going to be your birthday? If you are a premium passenger, very unusual behaviour. For me, the product is what counts, what the airline offers. I disagree absolutely with your assertion of "mass production". Singapore Airlines is without a doubt a uniquely premium airline, especially for the product it offers. But as I pointed out in my first post in this thread, all this over your birthday... a cake... a best wishes... a name? Oh man, premium passenger tag does not come to mind, more like, over indulgent, self important no body comes to mind. Is my post personal, yes, because every time I fly, I am constantly deplored by passengers such as yourself and seeing cabin crew deal with over the top demanding is repulsive! Don't be offended!

[astroboy]

How embarrassing is it to call SQ to 'remind' them not to forget one's birthday?! If they don't care, they don't care.

There is no dilemma at all. SQ has paid attention to its passengers' birthdays for ages and just discontinued it some time back. It is still common practice in the aviation industry to 'honor' the birthday of a (status) passenger and I don't see anything wrong with that.

I can point you to a lot of post on the internet of pax who were delighted that the airline made a point to say 'happy birthday'. Maybe you can show me where all the complaints are posted about that?

Every airline nowadays is 'mass production'. You are just another cattle to be flown from A to B. Personalization is the effort to at least put lipstick on the pig and give you the impression that someone pays attention.

Could it be that, gosh, someone slightly more important than you (heaven forbid that!) suggested that SQ did away with birthday cakes unless requested for by the pax? Just because you don't see it on the internet, doesn't mean that there aren't other pax who would rather not be embarrassed publicly. Some really important people do value their privacy.

If you're so disappointed with SQ, vote with your feet. Take your business to an airline who will give you the cake you're so enamored with.

[astroboy]

SMK77, what gets me is, who calls an airline, in fact any business and tell them it's going to be your birthday? If you are a premium passenger, very unusual behaviour. For me, the product is what counts, what the airline offers. I disagree absolutely with your assertion of "mass production". Singapore Airlines is without a doubt a uniquely premium airline, especially for the product it offers. But as I pointed out in my first post in this thread, all this over your birthday... a cake... a best wishes... a name? Oh man, premium passenger tag does not come to mind, more like, over indulgent, self important no body comes to mind. Is my post personal, yes, because every time I fly, I am constantly deplored by passengers such as yourself and seeing cabin crew deal with over the top demanding is repulsive! Don't be offended!

Well said.

[Inflight Sup]

Many decades ago, SQ experimented with sharing data of PPS with cabin crew with the view that it may help crew understand the PPS pax better.

The data was extracted from PPS data base with information such as favourite magazines, cocktails, main courses, seat preferences, employment tittles and yes, birthdays too. All this was printed at the boarding gate and issued to the crew in charge.

On occasions when crew conversed with the pax the data proved awkward and sometimes embarrassing.
Its accuracy depended on the prompt updates from the pax themselves.

In time, someone from the legal fraternity raised alarms about privacy and confidentiality. This put and end to this scheme.

Yet, when a birthday girl/boy was identified, crew would manufacture an impromptu birthday card, signed by as many crew and also the commander and surprised the pax with dry ice effects and a small dessert sourced from any of the classes, a token all the same and many happy returns of the day.
Management caught on to this and supplied pre printed cards. But soon logistics became an issue ( cards for honeymoon, cards for wedding anniversaries ) and this too was withdrawn.

Birthday cakes ( or any other event ) is not automatically uplifted. Someone initiated it.
Usually known to the pax, a friend, co-worker, secretary, wife, kids and maybe the PRO from the PPS unit or the station manager.

In the past, crew could also raise an uplift of a cake for a pax that would be continuing on another sector too. The next set of crew will know what to do, as there would be a voyage report on this. This was a time when trust and latitude was allowed to frontline service people.

Now days, trust is perhaps an unnecessary cost.

I suggest SMK77 write to PPS unit about the birthday saga. Good luck.

[CarbonMan]

Many decades ago, SQ experimented with sharing data of PPS with cabin crew with the view that it may help crew understand the PPS pax better.

The data was extracted from PPS data base with information such as favourite magazines, cocktails, main courses, seat preferences, employment tittles and yes, birthdays too. All this was printed at the boarding gate and issued to the crew in charge.

On occasions when crew conversed with the pax the data proved awkward and sometimes embarrassing.
Its accuracy depended on the prompt updates from the pax themselves.

In time, someone from the legal fraternity raised alarms about privacy and confidentiality. This put and end to this scheme.

Yet, when a birthday girl/boy was identified, crew would manufacture an impromptu birthday card, signed by as many crew and also the commander and surprised the pax with dry ice effects and a small dessert sourced from any of the classes, a token all the same and many happy returns of the day.
Management caught on to this and supplied pre printed cards. But soon logistics became an issue ( cards for honeymoon, cards for wedding anniversaries ) and this too was withdrawn.

Birthday cakes ( or any other event ) is not automatically uplifted. Someone initiated it.
Usually known to the pax, a friend, co-worker, secretary, wife, kids and maybe the PRO from the PPS unit or the station manager.

In the past, crew could also raise an uplift of a cake for a pax that would be continuing on another sector too. The next set of crew will know what to do, as there would be a voyage report on this. This was a time when trust and latitude was allowed to frontline service people.

Now days, trust is perhaps an unnecessary cost.

I suggest SMK77 write to PPS unit about the birthday saga. Good luck.

Ever enlightening! Thanks, for another behind the scenes perspective, Inflight Sup.

[astroboy]

Many decades ago, SQ experimented with sharing data of PPS with cabin crew with the view that it may help crew understand the PPS pax better.

The data was extracted from PPS data base with information such as favourite magazines, cocktails, main courses, seat preferences, employment tittles and yes, birthdays too. All this was printed at the boarding gate and issued to the crew in charge.

On occasions when crew conversed with the pax the data proved awkward and sometimes embarrassing.
Its accuracy depended on the prompt updates from the pax themselves.

In time, someone from the legal fraternity raised alarms about privacy and confidentiality. This put and end to this scheme.

Yet, when a birthday girl/boy was identified, crew would manufacture an impromptu birthday card, signed by as many crew and also the commander and surprised the pax with dry ice effects and a small dessert sourced from any of the classes, a token all the same and many happy returns of the day.
Management caught on to this and supplied pre printed cards. But soon logistics became an issue ( cards for honeymoon, cards for wedding anniversaries ) and this too was withdrawn.

Birthday cakes ( or any other event ) is not automatically uplifted. Someone initiated it.
Usually known to the pax, a friend, co-worker, secretary, wife, kids and maybe the PRO from the PPS unit or the station manager.

In the past, crew could also raise an uplift of a cake for a pax that would be continuing on another sector too. The next set of crew will know what to do, as there would be a voyage report on this. This was a time when trust and latitude was allowed to frontline service people.

Now days, trust is perhaps an unnecessary cost.

I suggest SMK77 write to PPS unit about the birthday saga. Good luck.

This sharing of data may be brought back in the near future, albeit in a slightly different form. Surveys are currently being done on LPPs regarding F&B, choice of reading materials, timing of meals, general comments, etc. Who knows, it might just include you, SMK77.

[cscs1956]

I indeed appreciate being called by name and I appreciate personal attention. SQ has been an excellent airline in catering for my needs in the past five years and I am a bit surprised that they are slipping in the area of their core competency.

You are of course entitled to your opinion. I think you could articulate it less disrespectful but that's a matter of style. If those things are of less importance I don't have a problem with that.

In fact, if I do remember correctly. Even Krisflyer send email to wish me happy birthday .... many years back! Now they dont.
Suprise is other airline is catching up. Eva air is one of them. Many hotels do the same too.

[astroboy]

I'm done with this discussion, my allotted time for charity work is up. I hope you get the treatment you think you deserve, and if you ever celebrate another birthday on board, I hope the crew make it "extra special" just for you.

"Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience." - George Carlin

Good luck qantas_flyer!

[SMK77]

Thanks, Inflight Sup, for sharing!

I know that LX is noting down preferences (e.g. sparkling or still water, coffee with or without milk) and cabin crew is trying to anticipate what customers want. I was flying from DXB to MUC via ZRH and in ZRH they placed a Munich newspaper in my seat before boarding ('In case you might be interested what's happening at home').

BA has now introduced iPads for cabin crew also storing some inflight favorites to help the cabin crew better serving their customers.

On SQ, I recently met the same flight attendant twice within ten days. She remembered all my preferences and put a big smile on my face. I followed up with a letter of compliments - that was outstanding.

[kapitan]

well guys gals, remember to update your personal details in SQT, including your birthday so that SQT can wish you happy birthday and present you with a virtual cake.......