A shock in UC

Just returned from a lengthy series of trips.

Travelled for the first time to Atlanta. Back on VS104 and had a bad experience - the first ever. Usual plan - get on, sleep almost immediately as working next morning in London.

Shaken awake by a cabin steward. And I do mean shaken. Not nudged, or asked gently, but shaken by shoulder twice to see if I wanted to order dinner. Was fast asleep and nearly punched him in surprise - not anger just shock.

I should say that customer services were great in dealing with my feedback on return. But is this normal on the transatlantic route? I was gobsmacked!

That most certainly doesn't sound ideal My wife has the same strategy as you and always makes sure she informs the CC prior to settling down to ensure an uninterrupted sleep. However, it seems your CC was over exuberant with their need to serve you dinner Glad VS listened to your complaint

maybe they should have a Do no Disturb sign.

I guess somewhere, if someone didn't get woken for dinner, then they would complain. So cant please everyone!

In similar circumstances, I made it my business to inform the crew that I wouldn't be taking dinner, and would be trying to maximise my sleep, before bedding down.

If you were sitting in the seat then it may have looked like you dozed off and I suppose it is not unreasonable to be gently woken.
However, if your bed was flat and you were tucked up it is stupid to think you might want to be woken for dinner.
I also would be furious.

Emirates have stickers you attach to your seat (or persons) to say leave me sleeping or wake me for food. Simple but effective idea.

[mitchja]

Emirates have stickers you attach to your seat (or persons) to say leave me sleeping or wake me for food. Simple but effective idea.

Many years ago VS did used to do that as there where similar stickers in the amenity packs.

Thanks for the advice.

I'll let them know from now on. I should have thought of that

[Darren Wheeler]

Maybe they had tried gently and that hadn't worked?

Following on from what Darren says.. were you obviously breathing? Or could they have thought you had been so overwhelmed with the experience you had suddenly stopped living?

Done well (and I usually do see this done) the CC should be approaching people on boarding offering them a drink, sleep suits and gauging whether or not you will be bedding straight down for the redeye or joining for dinner service.

From your experiences it sounds like the steward needs to go back into 'whisper training'

Emirates have stickers you attach to your seat (or persons) to say leave me sleeping or wake me for food. Simple but effective idea.

And I thought the illuminated 'Do not disturb' sign on AA F was pointless! Can see where it would come in handy, though on our flight from MIA-LHR the crew had taken all meal and drinks orders, and asked about being woken for breakfast, before takeoff.
(Obviously much smaller cabin than UC though!)