On-site service
As "at-seat service" or "Service of place" is called a customer with service offers catering services at its seat in a public transport operation. In contrast to this, there is the self-service service , in which the traveler has to go to a service compartment in order to receive the desired services, or the operating concept of a dining car , which the traveler also has to visit separately.
air traffic
On board a commercial aircraft , on-site service is a common international standard. Here, travelers of all booking classes are offered food, newspapers and, depending on the airline or travel destination, duty-free goods and souvenirs free of charge or against payment directly at their seat. This assistance is usually provided spontaneously, i.e. without any action on the part of the passenger, but it can also be requested individually using the call buttons above the seats.
On the ground before the flight passengers higher quality fare classes (for example, business or first class ) common areas (often special lounges ) offered, which often have also a at-seat service.
Rail transport
The on-site service with food, drinks and newspapers is also widespread in rail transport.
In the luxury trains before the Second World War, such as the FD Rheingold or the Edelweiss , food and drinks were served at the seat by the staff of Mitropa or CIWL . The TEE sometimes had a dining car, sometimes there was service at the seat.
In the long-distance trains operated by Deutsche Bahn AG , second class passengers are supplied with drinks and snacks by an employee with a so-called minibar or snack caddy . The employee pushes a cart with the offer through the train. If the customer wishes a more extensive meal, he still has to go to the dining car or the on-board bistro.
First-class long-distance passengers at Deutsche Bahn are provided with large meals, drinks and newspapers by specially responsible stewards individually and upon request. As in air traffic, there are call buttons in the corresponding car on ICE trains, with which the responsible employee can be called.
A main advantage of the on-seat service in train traffic is the possibility for the traveler to have a meal or a drink without having to leave his luggage unattended at his seat for a long time.
In 2002, consumer associations protested against the reintroduction of the Am-Platz service in long-distance trains operated by Deutsche Bahn, because they feared the abolition of dining cars.
Bus transport
When traveling by bus or coach , an at-the-seat service is often offered, mainly with coffee or cold drinks. The availability of this service, however, varies greatly from company to company and requires sufficient supplies or a galley to be available. Often times, the on-site service in coaches is carried out by relatives of the bus driver.
The advantage of at-the-seat service in buses is that in coaches it is generally mandatory to wear seat belts and, due to the limited space, it would hardly be reasonable for passengers to regularly visit the galley or the bar.
References
- ↑ Page no longer available , search in web archives: opinions of consumer associations