I've had the AA ravioli as well, and i liked it too. Pasta is very forgiving and reheats well so it makes a solid airplane meal. (In the old days when you got hot meals in coach, the pasta was always the safest.). The other thing about pasta is it seems like it would be pretty easy to offer it as a vegetarian choice OR toss some chicken on top and serve it that way.
While I tend to side with the airlines on the issue of not offering special meals, I have suggested offering pasta dishes without meat as the second meal choice in First Class. I guess the thought is that there will always be some that don't have a choice and will be stuck with a pasta meal without a protein component that may not be happy. I would think pasta would be cheaper...
__________________ My thoughts here are mine alone. I do not represent Alaska Airlines on this forum or speak on behalf of the company.
I agree that a pasta dish would be a good option. I've had some pretty good examples on airlines both here and abroad. Even carnivores might not be that put out if the dish included a decent amount of vegetables. I recall Alaska used to offer a Pasta Putanesca entree that was quite good.
Maybe AS could keep some TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein) or freeze dried beef chunks on hand that they could quickly boil up to add to any meatless pasta dish. Seriously, I used to add these things to my backpacking meals for a little more protein and texture. I thought they were a tasty addition, but then again, lots of stuff tastes alot better out on the trail.
Programs: MVP Gold, CO Plat, BMI Gold, UA 1K, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 157
Quote:
Originally Posted by eponymous_coward
Yes, but you also fly 100,000 miles with UA to get 1K (well, OK, not while UA is doing DEQM for 75% of the year, but...). AS MVPG is 50,000 miles on AS/QX+partners, 40,000 on AS/QX alone.
Compare MVPG to UA 1P status and you'll see why I'd be unhappy if AS turned into UA. The money I save on fee waivers for flight changes alone could buy me MANY meals that would quite frankly beat the pants off of airline food.
In the end, it's really hard for me to get worked up about a meal that, at best, would be OK for $15-20 in a diner or cafe. The thought of "OMG, someone who isn't as awesomely elite as I am is getting a BETTER DEAL than I am! Why is that! DYKWIA?" doesn't really stir me when it comes to airline food.
That is true. I guess it depends on your travel patterns. I am top tier on both AS and United because I travel quite a bit to Europe. One of the reasons why I do stick with AS is because I can fly ns to smaller cities that United doesn't serve. Otherwise, I'd have no reason to say MVPG. I do have to say though--that compared to United, the AS FAs are great. I'm pretty happy the majority of the time, and have mostly had good flights.
In terms of 1P, it depends on what you're looking for as well. Yes, you have chance fees. But if you buy a fully refundable ticket, take that out of the equation, and there's still no comparison between AS and UA. You get priority baggage, 3 bags for free, and most importantly E+, which can be nice for those long transcons or flights over across the pond. In addition, you get lounge access when traveling internationally. Just my $.02.
While I don't agree that the system is "deeply flawed" it could certainly be improved and provide a level of predictability or consistency to the passengers which is currently lacking.
On 6 AS flights with meal service in the last week orders were taken from the front on 5 of those flights and from the back on one. The order taking from the back was on a HNL-SEA after I had changed my seat assignment to move to the front after having been stuck with no choice on SEA-HNL (by being in the back). I discussed with the flight attendant on that flight the best way of getting a choice and she said you need to sit in the front half of the cabin as they always start in the front (I know that this isn't always true as I have been on flights where the FA bounces around or starts in the back but it seems that 9 times out of 10 they take orders from the front). Of course, the FA started in the back after my switch and I again had no choice.
With AA's FEBO system I always know what my chances are of getting my first choice of meal when I select my first class seat. When I am unable to select a seat that will predictably give me my first choice of meal, I know this possibility exists before I board and I may purchase something in the terminal and bring it on board.
Programs: Various bits of plastic with names of noble metals on them
Posts: 1,989
Quote:
In terms of 1P, it depends on what you're looking for as well. Yes, you have chance fees. But if you buy a fully refundable ticket, take that out of the equation, and there's still no comparison between AS and UA. You get priority baggage, 3 bags for free, and most importantly E+, which can be nice for those long transcons or flights over across the pond. In addition, you get lounge access when traveling internationally. Just my $.02.
My experience is I won't suffer worse service for a little extra leg room, and the only times where I'm not in AS exit row/bulkhead with tons of leg room are when it's standby, and even then it's 50/50 they'll squeeze me in somewhere decent... where as a 1P I'd be below a LOT of 1K/GS in the pecking order, instead of top-of-the-heap as MVPG. I do buy advanced tickets (almost never Y close to day-of-departure), but I tweak them a fair amount. I also almost never check luggage (usually that only happens on return trips from exotic locales with exotic booze). Also, AS status works for quasi-elite on DL, which is enough for someone with a fairly limited international travel pattern (if it was larger, I'd likely go with AA or DL, simply because it's easier to mix and match miles with AS/AA/DL than with a *A airline.)
All told, bigger fish in a smaller pond works well for me (stats are apparently that less than 30K AS pax have MVPG status). YMMV.
It was used as a headline buzz word just like a newspaper headline
Perhaps if all one reads is the National Enquirer or Weekly World News.
Any traditional headline writer worth his/her salt doesn't sensationalize. They summarize. And I speak from experience. So don't say it's like a newspaper headline to mislead or overstate. It's more like tabloid TV, I'm afraid, in the current state of the news media.
Perhaps if all one reads is the National Enquirer or Weekly World News.
Any traditional headline writer worth his/her salt doesn't sensationalize. They summarize. And I speak from experience. So don't say it's like a newspaper headline to mislead or overstate. It's more like tabloid TV, I'm afraid, in the current state of the news media.
in the current state of the news media they are all tabloids and op eds
in the current state of the news media they are all tabloids and op eds
As with the original topic of this thread, I'm afraid you over-generalize. Not "all." But at least "many," and certainly those that shout the loudest.
Back OT and more to others' comments, I'm also one who would appreciate a vegetarian option in First. But as someone who eats fish and veggies, I'm one who enjoys the salmon, too. If any is left by the time I'm reached.
Some airlines do West to East (and North to South) will serve front to back. East to West (south to north) serve from back to front. Some airlines serve full fare F first then go down the pecking order of the elite program. Someone will always complain about how the service goes...
Quote:
Originally Posted by ANC
Not only do I think the F meal system is somewhat flawed and unfair I think its totally flawed, unfair, and in some instances downright disrespectful. The front to back system of taking orders from front to back to where 4D and 4F are stuck with whatever is left is immoral and unethical. Recently I was in 4D and another fellow in 4F. We laughed and joked how we would be stuck with whatever is leftover. It was quite funny but so true. We both ended up with the braised pork shank which happened to be what we were both hoping for. All fine and dandy....yay . The more I think about this the more I find this method pathetic. Why should somebody upgraded to 1A who paid $200 fare have first choice over somebody in 4D who paid $700 for a paid F seat???? There should be one of 2 things done. Either paid F should be able to select 1 of 2 meals online ahead of time or there should be a hierarchy list such as
1. Paid F golds
2. Paid F mvp
3. Paid F general pax
4. UG gold
5. UG mvp
6. award pax
The current system is a total joke really. Ive had several flights where the F FA went around and gave the golds first dibs at what they wanted. For that I was very grateful but it still screws over anybody who paid full fare F for their seat. When I get a UG Im just grateful to be in F and dont care what I get to eat. On the other hand if you drop a grand on an F seat to HNL and get whatevers left it aint so cool
I've flown on airlines that do it by status/purchased fare or just front to back. The former is a little anal and wastes time as the FA has to hop around and correctly identify everyone. I think Air Canada does things this way. I get the point, but front to back just seems easier.
I've had issues with the actual system of service in the front. The choice didn't really seem to be a problem.
Does anyone know how to tell what the F meal is for that flight? I was on a ONT/SEA last friday. We left at 10:30 AM, landed at 12:50 and a salad was served. By the time the "meal" is served its 11:30 so I wonder what the logic is.
Not only do I think the F meal system is somewhat flawed and unfair I think its totally flawed, unfair, and in some instances downright disrespectful. The front to back system of taking orders from front to back to where 4D and 4F are stuck with whatever is left is immoral and unethical. Recently I was in 4D and another fellow in 4F. We laughed and joked how we would be stuck with whatever is leftover. It was quite funny but so true. We both ended up with the braised pork shank which happened to be what we were both hoping for. All fine and dandy....yay . The more I think about this the more I find this method pathetic. Why should somebody upgraded to 1A who paid $200 fare have first choice over somebody in 4D who paid $700 for a paid F seat???? There should be one of 2 things done. Either paid F should be able to select 1 of 2 meals online ahead of time or there should be a hierarchy list such as
1. Paid F golds
2. Paid F mvp
3. Paid F general pax
4. UG gold
5. UG mvp
6. award pax
The current system is a total joke really. Ive had several flights where the F FA went around and gave the golds first dibs at what they wanted. For that I was very grateful but it still screws over anybody who paid full fare F for their seat. When I get a UG Im just grateful to be in F and dont care what I get to eat. On the other hand if you drop a grand on an F seat to HNL and get whatevers left it aint so cool
You really need to seriously find something to occupy your time. If you have such a problem with the way airline serve F food, buy a F seat EACH AND EVERY TIME YOU FLY and be sure to book 1A, or stop your overly dramatic and very sad whining.
Seriously, I used to add these things to my backpacking meals for a little more protein and texture. I thought they were a tasty addition, but then again, lots of stuff tastes alot better out on the trail.
. The more I think about this the more I find this method pathetic. Why should somebody upgraded to 1A who paid $200 fare have first choice over somebody in 4D who paid $700 for a paid F seat???? 
