Author |
Message |
   
Jim Hunt
Intermediate Member Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 128 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| Posted on Sunday, June 20, 2010 - 01:52 am: | |
(this thread has been "hijacked" over to the new site) http://www.pepperd.com/vb/showthread.php?69-Retirees-Using-Base-Dining-Facility |
   
Martin V Smith
Advanced Member Username: Mvsusaf
Post Number: 282 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 72.76.38.134
| Posted on Sunday, June 20, 2010 - 01:15 am: | |
Hale: I think you have hit the nail on the head. I remember as a butter bar sending letters up to the squadron admin types trying to get Airmen who no way in hell were authorized for seperate rats. The Airmen hated the chow halls or maybe just wanted the extra $32 bucks. Either way I have been quite amused by everybody now trying to get back into the chow halls. |
   
Hale Lait
Senior Member Username: Norwich50
Post Number: 883 Registered: 07-2006 Posted From: 70.232.162.80
| Posted on Saturday, June 19, 2010 - 05:01 pm: | |
A great deal has been posted here regarding retirees eating in dining facilities. Just where does this desire stem from and where does that privilege stem from? My memory suggests that dining facilities were not high on the popularity list. Beyond convenience, what is the attraction? Personally, I can only recall eating in one while Space-aing. It was for breakfast at Elmendorf and it was a good meal. I was without wheels and unfamiliar with the base and the dining hall was a short walk. Probably, a long walk today. Also had my haircut. One reason that I have not made greater use of the facilities is that I very much enjoy being able to order from a menu and being waited on. Travel, not for business any longer, is a time to relax and enjoy life. Don't misconstrue my comments to mean that I don't enjoy being economical and even frugal. I can also understand and appreciate the challenge of providing an unknown and variable number of additional diners. That's my $2 worth (inflation has taken its toll). |
   
Hale Lait
Senior Member Username: Norwich50
Post Number: 882 Registered: 07-2006 Posted From: 70.232.162.80
| Posted on Saturday, June 19, 2010 - 04:59 pm: | |
A great deal has been posted here regarding retirees eating in dining facilities. Just where does this desire stem from and where does that privilege stem from? My memory suggests that dining facilities were not high on the popularity list. Beyond convenience, what is the attraction? Personally, I can only recall eating in one while Space-aing. It was for breakfast at Elmendorf and it was a good meal. I was without wheels and unfamiliar with the base and the dining hall was a short walk. Probably, a long walk today. Also had my haircut. One reason that I have not made greater use of the facilities is that I very much enjoy being able to order from a menu and being waited on. Travel, not for business any longer, is a time to relax and enjoy life. Don't misconstrue my comments to mean that I don't enjoy being economical and even frugal. I can also understand and appreciate the challenge of providing an unknown and variable number of additional diners. That's my $2 worth (inflation has taken its toll). |
   
James H. Coppens
Intermediate Member Username: Coppens1
Post Number: 126 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 209.16.115.5
| Posted on Saturday, June 19, 2010 - 03:42 pm: | |
Dear Carole, been there, done that. I have a lot of things on my plate. I wrote several letters over a two year period already to the Patrick Commander, and made several follow ups. In fact that may be the reason for the "test" they have instituted. Its time for someone else to step up to the plate. JC |
   
Jim Hunt
Intermediate Member Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 122 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| Posted on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 - 10:46 pm: | |
The "surcharge" curently in effect is not nearly enough to offset the potential costs of inadequately estimating the demand for meals by those who are not regular customers. Besides, officers always pay for their meals, that's what the BAS is for. I'm suggesting that ALL retirees (yes, enlisted as well) should be assessed an additional charge to offset the "unpredictability" of demand. |
   
Carole G
Advanced Member Username: Greengal
Post Number: 292 Registered: 01-2010 Posted From: 68.205.151.181
| Posted on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 - 04:40 pm: | |
James, Maybe you can write the letter. Then you can let us all know what they say in response. |
   
James H. Coppens
Intermediate Member Username: Coppens1
Post Number: 125 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 209.16.115.5
| Posted on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 - 02:16 pm: | |
There already is a surcharge for all but enlisted at all dining halls. What I am saying is that someone should write a letter to the Patrick base commander suggesting that retirees be allowed to eat there only during off peak parts of the year (March-Oct) JC |
   
Jim Hunt
Intermediate Member Username: Jhunt66
Post Number: 116 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 66.31.169.240
| Posted on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 - 02:08 pm: | |
I have some sympathy for GI food service personnel who will be charged with estimating the volume of retiree customers and then contracting to buy food in adequate quantities, much less hire enough staff to cook, serve and clean it all up. If you get it wrong, you're a dead duck! Perhaps a surcharge for non-regular customers to cover the potential costs of over/under estimating? But doesn't that defeat the advantage to SPATs? Tough issue, I'll admit. |
   
James H. Coppens
Intermediate Member Username: Coppens1
Post Number: 124 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 209.26.113.146
| Posted on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 - 01:56 pm: | |
Two years ago, I wrote to the PAFB Base Commander several times about retirees using the dining hall. After several follow ups, the letter I received stated that it would not be done because of the anticipated volume of retirees using it. I have too much on my plate right now, but someone should write to the base commander suggesting that a limited trial basis, such as March-October, and/or breakfast and supper only, would prove the concept. JC |
   
Bill Ward
Senior Member Username: Dualrated2
Post Number: 727 Registered: 08-2003 Posted From: 76.169.178.107
| Posted on Sunday, June 13, 2010 - 01:08 pm: | |
My apologies Carole. Seven weeks ago you were giving a different timeline and I wasn't sure James had seen the article. http://www.pepperd.com/spacea/messages/7731/697844.html?1275593766 "Carole G from April 21, 2010 - 11:37 pm: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spoke with Patrick AFB dining people today. They have not implemented the retiree dining program here yet. It was stated that it could be a year before it starts here. It has to be approved by the wing commander even though they are one of the test sites per the food service officer." |
   
Carole G
Advanced Member Username: Greengal
Post Number: 265 Registered: 01-2010 Posted From: 68.205.151.181
| Posted on Sunday, June 13, 2010 - 01:42 am: | |
I know what the article says, but according to the OIC the base commander has to approve the change allowing retirees to use the dining facility. He is the one that told us it may never happen or could be years away. He said budgets have to be studied by the base commander to see if it is even feasible. It seemed like it caught some of the bases selected off guard. Just saying. |
   
Bill Ward
Senior Member Username: Dualrated2
Post Number: 726 Registered: 08-2003 Posted From: 76.169.178.107
| Posted on Sunday, June 13, 2010 - 01:13 am: | |
I think the last word was they just had not implemented the test at Patrick yet but it is one of the test sites. http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/04/airforce_dining_042410w/ |
   
Carole G
Advanced Member Username: Greengal
Post Number: 264 Registered: 01-2010 Posted From: 68.205.151.181
| Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 11:00 pm: | |
The Patrick AFB dining facility is not serving to retirees. The last time(about 3-4 months) we spoke to the OIC in charge, he said it was up to the base commander. He said it may never happen. It is open to retirees only on Thanksgiving and Christmas. We do go on those holidays and the food is good and cheap. |
   
James H. Coppens
Intermediate Member Username: Coppens1
Post Number: 119 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 71.42.19.90
| Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 10:53 pm: | |
Has any retiree out there used the Patrick Dining Hall? JC |