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
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.l
"Immoral and unethical" is a bit strong. And unsupported, honestly, by your argument (if you happen to check the dictionary definitions). "Unfair," perhaps -- though I've been on flights when they've started meal choices from 4 and worked forward, and on flights where MVP Golds have been served first. YMMV.
No matter what system is used, someone will almost always not get their first choice -- and then they'll complain, too. It's a no win for any flight not catered with two of everything for everyone in F.
"Immoral and unethical" is a bit strong. And unsupported, honestly, by your argument (if you happen to check the dictionary definitions). "Unfair," perhaps -- though I've been on flights when they've started meal choices from 4 and worked forward, and on flights where MVP Golds have been served first. YMMV.
No matter what system is used, someone will almost always not get their first choice -- and then they'll complain, too. It's a no win for any flight not catered with two of everything for everyone in F.
So then again I must ask, why not a check in feature that allows you to choose your meal of the 2 choices that will be offered on your flight if you check in say 2 or 3 hours or more before departure? Is it really that hard? The idea also remains that somebody who pays 1000 should have choice over an upgraded person paying 200. Yes my words were a bit strong but written intentionally to get a good debate going
Lots of unfair practices occur in the flying industry.
Being an MVPG and seldom being upgraded to first when I do get there I expect the same first class treatment as a full fair. Why because most of my tickets exceed the cost that you have payed for you lone ticket in first.
When I am in first I have never been given prefered treatment over other first class patrons. I do think, that to prevent the concerns that you expressed about the meals, all first should be served the same meal through out.
I prefer row four and if given the chance ask for it. However many times I can only received row 2 or 3. If you are a paid fair I suggest you select row two to solve your delima. Generally row two gets a choice.
Now about other things that are unfair...may be this is for another thread?
"Immoral and unethical" is a bit strong. And unsupported, honestly, by your argument (if you happen to check the dictionary definitions). "Unfair," perhaps...
No matter what system is used, someone will almost always not get their first choice -- and then they'll complain, too. It's a no win for any flight not catered with two of everything for everyone in F.
+1
ANC - You're getting way too worked up about nothing. You are not being waterboarded on the flight. You should learn to load up in the BR before you board
I like the idea of online selection of meals. Seems like it would make life easier for the FA's too.
Well, AS solves this problem on most routes by not offering a choice of meal. It's "Meal or no Meal." However, on the routes where they offer a choice, I think front-to-back works as well as anything. I see no need to overcomplicate matters with some complicated rigamarole.
I truly hope you haven't been losing any sleep over this...
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Posts: 11,111
Quote:
Originally Posted by OverThereTooMuch
+1
ANC - You're getting way too worked up about nothing. You are not being waterboarded on the flight. You should learn to load up in the BR before you board
I like the idea of online selection of meals. Seems like it would make life easier for the FA's too.
But we're only limited to 3 beverages (not enough ) and no longer have the SEA PC
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????
If meal selection is that important to you and you are buying a full-fare F seat, then you should choose a seat as far forward as possible. That way, you will get your choice of meals.
If you pay for full F and choose 4D when other F seats are available, then sure, you take your chances on meal selection. But it's not fair to say that an upgraded pax is getting priority over you, because you chose 4D as your seat even knowing that choice would put you last in line to order a meal.
The solution of only offering one meal sounds doesn't make much sense to me. Currently, sometimes you don't get your first choice -- but often you do. How would it help you to never have a choice at all? You'd be the same or worse off every time.
Honestly it's hard for me to understand being so upset about airline meals anyway. I don't expect airplane food to be very good, and I feel lucky to be up front every single time I'm in F, whether I paid for it or not. I'm more excited about the space and the service than about the food anyway, but at this point, getting any meal at all that's free and edible feels like a win to me.
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Posts: 11,111
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruthalaska
If meal selection is that important to you and you are buying a full-fare F seat, then you should choose a seat as far forward as possible. That way, you will get your choice of meals.
If you pay for full F and choose 4D when other F seats are available, then sure, you take your chances on meal selection. But it's not fair to say that an upgraded pax is getting priority over you, because you chose 4D as your seat even knowing that choice would put you last in line to order a meal.
The solution of only offering one meal sounds doesn't make much sense to me. Currently, sometimes you don't get your first choice -- but often you do. How would it help you to never have a choice at all? You'd be the same or worse off every time.
Honestly it's hard for me to understand being so upset about airline meals anyway. I don't expect airplane food to be very good, and I feel lucky to be up front every single time I'm in F, whether I paid for it or not. I'm more excited about the space and the service than about the food anyway, but at this point, getting any meal at all that's free and edible feels like a win to me.
ANC is just trying to stir us up a bit (I think...) and promote a vivid discussion on this... as for the solution of booking row 1... well not all F/A's abide by the same pattern...
Single meal service? AS needs to be competitive... and on some routes, this makes sense...
As for OLCI and food... I think there should be an option to choose BoB, especially for pax in Y... and even for those in F if they enjoy supplemental food
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I remember a few weeks ago getting a "Tweet" from AS about testing new in-flight entrees with a link to a pic of the new pork shank dish. I Tweeted back asking why AS serves so much pork since it's a protein that is forbidden by several religions not to mention vegetarians. Their reply was somewhat South of Expected.
I agree that at least on true trans-cons special meal requests should be honored. There should at a minimum be a vegetarian (vegan) option, Kosher, and Halal. They should really stay away from pork as well. I know it reheats well and is a neutral tasting meat (the "other white meat") but technically someone who keeps strict Kosher wouldn't be able to eat even the non-pork meal on an AS flight since the pork is heated in the same ovens.
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Posts: 5,245
I'm gonna side with ANC on this one.
I actually like the order he suggested in his list. (I might add "GM upgraded"--i.e. paid day-of-departure upgrades--as a #7.)
Yes, MVPGs are valuable to the company, and an F upgrade is definitely a part of respecting that loyalty, but someone flying in full paid F, even if they're not a mileage plan member, does deserve choice pick. If you want the choice pick as an MVPG, you're welcome to book in F (in which case, at least according to ANC's list, you'd get top pick above anyone else in paid F). That policy would fit in nicely with the idea that the complimentary upgrades are "space available."
I might also point out that other airlines are able to implement similar policies with no trouble. UA gives its GS members top pick of meals, if I'm not mistaken, and I think I've heard that AA EXPs get their choice first, too. I hate to sound cliche (as this phrase is beginning to become around here), but if they can do it, why can't AS?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jackal
I'm gonna side with ANC on this one.
I actually like the order he suggested in his list. (I might add "GM upgraded"--i.e. paid day-of-departure upgrades--as a #7.)
Yes, MVPGs are valuable to the company, and an F upgrade is definitely a part of respecting that loyalty, but someone flying in full paid F, even if they're not a mileage plan member, does deserve choice pick. If you want the choice pick as an MVPG, you're welcome to book in F (in which case, at least according to ANC's list, you'd get top pick above anyone else in paid F). That policy would fit in nicely with the idea that the complimentary upgrades are "space available."
I might also point out that other airlines are able to implement similar policies with no trouble. UA gives its GS members top pick of meals, if I'm not mistaken, and I think I've heard that AA EXPs get their choice first, too. I hate to sound cliche (as this phrase is beginning to become around here), but if they can do it, why can't AS?
. 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???? 
(not enough 
