Today I had the pleasure of speaking with a highly reliable source within CCY in a face to face meeting (I assure you, if anyone knows the story behind it, it's him). I don't feel comfortable saying his name here, but if you wish to know, PM me and I will tell you privately (we spoke professionally and I feel the need to keep his name a secret).

Anyways, I couldn't resist, so I asked him what the deal was with the In-Flight Café boxes in F. So here is the deal. LSG Sky Chefs previously catered US flights out to the west coast (flights west of DEN). LSG was having some serious problems, and eventually pulled out or cancelled contracts in several cities out west (this part was a little vague to me, but it gets better). This left US in quite a predicament, seeing as the only other usable caterer is GateGourmet. Unfortunately, with the cancellation of several airlines' contracts, GateGourment was doing all it could to cater, but couldn't pick up all the contracts that LSG had cancelled. The situation has literally left US without ANY meal catering in these cities. Thus, we have our "catering transition."

IFC meals are the only type of meal that US offers with a relatively long shelf life. US has been double catering all flights out west at their originating cities in the east to at least provide some kind of meal service. As he put it, it was either the IFC or a bag of pretzels. All flights from DEN and eastward are designated as "snack" flights, and they only receive the fruit and croissant (breakfast) or sandwich and fruit/salad (lunch/dinner) meals that we've come to expect. He said the situation is only permanent until it can be resolved somehow, and US does have plans to return to real hot meal service whenever it can. He also said that several airlines have seen several complaints regarding GateGourmet's quality of food, which has apparently been much lower than LSG's.

On a side note, he also told me that when US and HP merge, we can expect F service to be at HP's current level. This includes glassware, silverware, and hot meals.

And on a really, really side note, he said the only aircraft that will be returned will be Boeing planes, specifically the 733's and maybe a few 752's. No Airbii are scheduled to be returned.

The Happy Meals and other picnic fare preceded LSG's pullout by some time. Funny how other carriers still manage to serve food.

And what's up with a press release to announce they were able to find a caterer for Barcelona? (I can understand, perhaps, an announcement by the vendor) Who ever announces something like that unless dire straits prevail.

I've stopped flying US for revenue/business trips since last year but hope things improve with the merger.

Thanks for the report; it's always interesting to hear to company's spin.

Please feel free to discuss this topic, but if I can make this request again please stop referring to the IFC boxes as Happy Meals. Thanks. I own McDonald's restaurants and like to think of Happy Meals (TM) as something special to McDonald's. Thanks. Rant away.....

Please feel free to discuss this topic, but if I can make this request again please stop referring to the IFC boxes as Happy Meals. Thanks. I own McDonald's restaurants and like to think of Happy Meals (TM) as something special to McDonald's. Thanks. Rant away.....

Next we're going to get a complaint from a Realtor (TM) to stop talking about Spam (TM) and Kleenex (TM)

Well, that's true. And Happy Meals usually have satisfying portions, are generally served in a cleanly environment and the restaurant bathrooms are clean too!

I see why you may want to distance this from the US product.

Well, almost all of my transcons on US in the last few weeks have had a full load of passengers in First Class.

As nice as it would be, do you really expect them to go back to full hot dinner service, if their planes are also full when using IFC?

Well, that's true. And Happy Meals usually have satisfying portions, are generally served in a cleanly environment and the restaurant bathrooms are clean too!

I see why you may want to distance this from the US product.

Oh yeah, and Happy Meals are served HOT!!!!

I say we make dukeman senior VP of inflight services.

Anyways, I couldn't resist, so I asked him what the deal was with the In-Flight Café boxes in F. So here is the deal. LSG Sky Chefs previously catered US flights out to the west coast (flights west of DEN). LSG was having some serious problems, and eventually pulled out or cancelled contracts in several cities out west (this part was a little vague to me, but it gets better). This left US in quite a predicament, seeing as the only other usable caterer is GateGourmet. Unfortunately, with the cancellation of several airlines' contracts, GateGourment was doing all it could to cater, but couldn't pick up all the contracts that LSG had cancelled. The situation has literally left US without ANY meal catering in these cities. Thus, we have our "catering transition."

I want to believe your guy. I really do.

However, if true, why, oh why, wouldn't US make that known?? They've been beaten up by their customers as well as in the media over this FC disaster. Why would they just suck it up on behalf of a vendor who is clearly to blame under this situation? They've lost business and bucks over this, for pete's sake! The whole thing fails to make sense, especially when they can still cater to Europe and the snack flights. This started Feb 1st (I was on SAN-PHL that day) and for 4+ months they couldn't find a replacement?

I want to believe your guy. I really do. But....

Next we're going to get a complaint from a Realtor (TM) to stop talking about Spam (TM) and Kleenex (TM)
You know.....it was a simple request. Absolutely NO need for this type of response. :td:

As nice as it would be, do you really expect them to go back to full hot dinner service, if their planes are also full when using IFC?

Yes, because in the end, First Class is still First Class. Why do you think the front cabin is almost always full even if there is no meal service? It's the pleasure and sometimes "mystique" of sitting "in front of the curtain."

You know.....it was a simple request. Absolutely NO need for this type of response. :td:

Agreed on the above.

To the OP: Thank you. This has really answered some questions. I know US may not be the best at finding a replacement in the near-term but I am thrilled to know glassware is coming back in the merger.

Actually the explanation makes sense along with why US would take it on the chin.

This occurred right after thh Christmas baggage fiasco and at a time when the pundits were saying US would not last through Feb. Now you need a new supplier. Would you as a supplier extend credit to US at that time. I wouldn't. How do you do cash on delivery with such a spreadout system? The last thing you'd have done was broadcast you can't get another supplier and make headlines for that.

They apparently did what was reasonable and enforce their Gate Gourmet contract and "divert" some boxes to the front. Remember even Gate Gourment (Siegel's company with roach problems in Hawaii) wouldn't have had to supply hot meals under their contract, so they too probably would have wanted cash on delivery as is common with failing companies.

Let's see now how quickly Parker's group can turn this around.

And on a really, really side note, he said the only aircraft that will be returned will be Boeing planes, specifically the 733's and maybe a few 752's. No Airbii are scheduled to be returned.

Well CEO Parker said otherwise.

Yes, because in the end, First Class is still First Class. Why do you think the front cabin is almost always full even if there is no meal service? It's the pleasure and sometimes "mystique" of sitting "in front of the curtain."

Well with unlimited upgrades for all preferred levels, full F is no shock. The question is, what proportion of those seats are filled by people who paid at least full Y if not F? I would bet you dollars to donuts that the ratio of high dollar : low dollar upgrades has declined in the time that meals have been downgraded in F. Certainly a lot of anecdotal evidence here of people moving their transcon business to UA.

Calcio,

I am relatively certain the story you got is a cover story. The catering snafu was an excuse to can hot meals in First Class. The attitude has always been save a penny spend a buck. The only reason US retains the cadre of loyal fliers it does is solely due to the hard working dedicated US employees, who are forced to do more with less...I salute these fine people.

That said, US service (the product not the people) is an embarrassment when compared to the competition. I recently took 2 transcons on UA, and I am sorry to say that their Economy Plus product had more food and amenities than US' First. My return was business class on the new PS service, and I can tell you the difference is even more astounding.

I only regret that due to service cutbacks, lack of communication and lack of club facilities that I will not be taking US transcon any more.

It's the pleasure and sometimes "mystique" of sitting "in front of the curtain."

They don't have curtains anymore, thanks to the FAA.

But in all seriousness, even without food and glassware, it's still way better than the back. If for no reason other than the extra seat pitch and width and lack of a middle.

IIRC, Continental owns its own catering company, which does business for other airlines as well. I know for a fact they have a kitchen at LAX.

I am sure they would love new business.

They don't have curtains anymore, thanks to the FAA.


Curtains are back, for a couple months now. They're rather mesh, see-through kind. I haven't gone back to look at one up close. :D

You know.....it was a simple request. Absolutely NO need for this type of response. :td:

Jeez - you'ld think I had trashed somebody's Mom or trashed some holy shrine! The poster implied that the good name of Happy Meals (TM) might ACTUALLY be sullied by misuse on this forum. I guess I'll save the sarcasm for Monday mornings . . . .

Curtains are back, for a couple months now. They're rather mesh, see-through kind. I haven't gone back to look at one up close. :D


The curtains are hit or miss.... more miss I think. I have only seen them a few times this year.

Jeez - you'ld think I had trashed somebody's Mom or trashed some holy shrine! The poster implied that the good name of Happy Meals (TM) might ACTUALLY be sullied by misuse on this forum. I guess I'll save the sarcasm for Monday mornings . . . .

Hahahahaha! I'm sorry, that just made me laugh :D

The curtains are hit or miss.... more miss I think. I have only seen them a few times this year.

2005 has seen me almost exclusively on the A321s and I can tell you that they are there more often than not. I've got to bounce around the east coast on some 733's coming up--I'll have to keep an eye out.

I want to believe your guy. I really do.

However, if true, why, oh why, wouldn't US make that known?? They've been beaten up by their customers as well as in the media over this FC disaster. Why would they just suck it up on behalf of a vendor who is clearly to blame under this situation? They've lost business and bucks over this, for pete's sake! The whole thing fails to make sense, especially when they can still cater to Europe and the snack flights. This started Feb 1st (I was on SAN-PHL that day) and for 4+ months they couldn't find a replacement?

I want to believe your guy. I really do. But....


I understand where you're coming from, and I totally agree. He told me they've received TONS of complaints about it. When I was talking to him, after hearing his explanation, I said "You know Mr. Gotcalcio4'sCCYSource, I'm sure if the entire flying public, including all the Preferreds heard exactly what you've just explained to me, you wouldn't have nearly the number of complaints that you do nor have all the attention you're getting from the media about this. It's a communication issue, really." I guess he in all honesty didn't realize that when people have a lack of knowledge or understanding of something, stories are bound to surface.

2005 has seen me almost exclusively on the A321s and I can tell you that they are there more often than not. I've got to bounce around the east coast on some 733's coming up--I'll have to keep an eye out.

Yes. I've seen the curtains much more on the Airbus planes (even the 319 back when it was flying PIT-LAX) than on the 737s.

Is this a trend? One can only hope.
I can tell u as of late, FC has been nice, (not real glass glasses, but very good service).

Anyone else doing this flight?

Well that's good news then, I just took a 320 from PHL-LAX and it was curtain-less, but maybe they're comming back. It would make sense for the 321s to get them first as they obviously have a much bigger F section.

One thing that makes me skeptical about this explanation is that the meal service from SJU in F got cut back at the exact same time as the transcons. Flight 98 from SJU-PHL used to have a choice of 2 meals with salad and bread, and as of Feb 1 they cut it back to the lousy and tiny chicken wrap with pasta salad cold meal (not IFC but not nearly enough food after being at SJU with no food choices near US). Maybe the timing was coincidental, but it seemed to me at the time, and still seems to me that both of these moves were part of a thought out plan to cut costs on F meals.

Sean

One thing that makes me skeptical about this explanation is that the meal service from SJU in F got cut back at the exact same time as the transcons. Flight 98 from SJU-PHL used to have a choice of 2 meals with salad and bread, and as of Feb 1 they cut it back to the lousy and tiny chicken wrap with pasta salad cold meal (not IFC but not nearly enough food after being at SJU with no food choices near US). Maybe the timing was coincidental, but it seemed to me at the time, and still seems to me that both of these moves were part of a thought out plan to cut costs on F meals.

Are there any hot meals to/from the Caribbean in First anymore? Specifically for breakfast and lunch to/from Aruba. Also what sort of alcoholic beverages do they serve, any champagne?

Skip the conversation about curtains - I could care one way or the other.

Not only do I refuse to buy a FC on US but I have been burning my DM by flying FC on UA.

Loyal or not, the FC product on US sucks royal! And excuse, after excuse does not improve their quality. There just are so many excuses.

Hell, for the price - I can't drink enough free booze. I can bring my own mini's and go to the toilet and have a drink. Only a joke.

They should fire their VP-Customer Services or did s/he jump the boat as well.

Hot? No.

Champagne . . . as in the literal use of the noun . . .no.

duplicate

Skip the conversation about curtains - I could care one way or the other.

Not only do I refuse to buy a FC on US but I have been burning my DM by flying FC on UA.

Loyal or not, the FC product on US sucks royal! And excuse, after excuse does not improve their quality. There just are so many excuses.

Hell, for the price - I can't drink enough free booze. I can bring my own mini's and go to the toilet and have a drink. Only a joke.

They should fire their VP-Customer Services or did s/he jump the boat as well.

As one of the most loyal US flyers (roachfest attendee too) I agree.


If the sole differentiation is the "curtain" . . .who cares?

Filthy cabins, no food, pathetic scurrying for some kind of XO candy bar in F that’s compulsively addressed here, that’s it? Again, unless you are a captive station, who cares?

I was brought back to reality when one of my clients refused to fly US transatlantic biz last year and paid for LH.

The service was outstanding and frankly appealed to me and my clients. I don’t want to go tit for tat, but US is leagues behind the competition. (Go ahead and flame here, I know you don’t require superior food, wine, a multi-page menu card, and the big seat’s all you need, the 767 is just fine, etc.)

If you really pay for international biz (as my clients do), try another carrier . After nearly 20 years with Piedmont (absolutely great, esp to Europe in biz) and their successors, some carriers are better than others.

But I can’t argue that if you’re a domestic traveler and want a C upgrade to the Continent for you and the GF, US is the easiest to come by. And if you think US international today is the best thing for you since sliced bread, great! But, I don't think it's competitive with PAID fares.

Let’s hope the merger will work out and the new US will be competitive . I want to fly US with my clients again in a revenue status!

Please feel free to discuss this topic, but if I can make this request again please stop referring to the IFC boxes as Happy Meals. Thanks. I own McDonald's restaurants and like to think of Happy Meals (TM) as something special to McDonald's. Thanks. Rant away.....

I remember the days when it would have been US Air FC that would have been indignant that their FC meals were compared to Happy meals... :)

[QUOTE=TPA us ff]
But I can’t argue that if you’re a domestic traveler and want a C upgrade to the Continent for you and the GF, US is the easiest to come by. And if you think US international today is the best thing for you since sliced bread, great! But, I don't think it's competitive with PAID fares.
[QUOTE]

Agreed. I'm a US3 (soon to be US2) who flies strictly on their own dime. The liberal nature of US upgrades (both domestic and the availability of cheap SA to Europe) is one of the things that keeps me. Well that and the need to constantly fly PHL-BNA and back. The GF comment was a good one. Take mine who hasn't been to Europe. I am over there this summer and impressed the hell out of her when I gave her 50K for a free ticket (no bus. avail.) to save her a grand. When we go back in Europe, I'll SA to Envoy. I doubt she will lean over and tell me it's inferior to every other int'l carrier. I can sulk quietly and spoil her with ANA or SQ later.

Well with unlimited upgrades for all preferred levels, full F is no shock. The question is, what proportion of those seats are filled by people who paid at least full Y if not F? I would bet you dollars to donuts that the ratio of high dollar : low dollar upgrades has declined in the time that meals have been downgraded in F. Certainly a lot of anecdotal evidence here of people moving their transcon business to UA.

I'm inclined to agree. I do (sometimes) think it was a mistake for US Airways to dilute their First Class product so much in the days post-9/11. But I also believe that US lost so much more money so much more quickly than most of the other airlines in that time period that management felt that they had to cut costs wherever they could, and cut them deeply. US was really hurt more than most by their huge presence at DCA. DCA was closed for quite a while after 9/11 and it hurt...it REALLY hurt. The Shuttle was (and may still be) extremely important to them and although they moved some operations to IAD, they had very limited gate space there and I know the shuttle service was reduced big time for a while. I'm afraid they got caught with their pants down by having just had the DOJ scuttle the merger with UA and started wildly cutting costs in areas that have come back to bite them in the a**. Personally, I don't think any domestic US airline has a First Class product that is worth paying even $1,100 for coast to coast.

They don't have curtains anymore, thanks to the FAA.

But in all seriousness, even without food and glassware, it's still way better than the back. If for no reason other than the extra seat pitch and width and lack of a middle.

Yeah, my in front of the curtain point was really more metaphorical than anything. But, I agree with you on your point. When I worked for the airline and had to pay for upgrades,\ I didn't mind burning one to sit up front even on a relatively short flight. Especially if it meant that I didn't have to sit in the middle seat or if I just wanted a couple of "free" drinks and some peace and quiet. I recall many late night flights when the entire front cabin was dark and very peaceful. It was wonderful.

Are there any hot meals to/from the Caribbean in First anymore? Specifically for breakfast and lunch to/from Aruba. Also what sort of alcoholic beverages do they serve, any champagne?
Yes, flights to CLT-STX on Saturday's have had hot lunches and flights back hot dinners. However SJU does not get hot meals anymore from PHL. I think I read somewhere that Aruba still has hot meals as well, but I don't fly that route so I can't be sure.

Sean

Yes, flights to CLT-STX on Saturday's have had hot lunches and flights back hot dinners. However SJU does not get hot meals anymore from PHL. I think I read somewhere that Aruba still has hot meals as well, but I don't fly that route so I can't be sure.

Sean

does it occur to US that PHL-SJU is 1580 mi. vs. CLT-STX is 1564 mi.? Weird.

The whole boxed meal thing was just the anticlimax. US service in F jumped the shark some time ago.

The whole boxed meal thing was just the anticlimax. US service in F jumped the shark some time ago.


Exactly.


IIFC, US tried the IFC thing in first a while ago, realized how much it pissed us off, then went back to at least mediocre meals. Now that most, if not all high-yield traffic is gone, they've no reason to offer a real F class.

"Anticlimax" is the perfect term.

does it occur to US that PHL-SJU is 1580 mi. vs. CLT-STX is 1564 mi.? Weird.
Yep, it makes no sense. I was delighted when I got a hot meal from CLT-STX and take try to take that itinerary because it means less connections for me and also because the service is still true FC. Only thing I can think of is that the fares for CLT-STX tend to be higher than to SJU, or that STX is considered more of a "international" destination then SJU. It really makes no sense though.

Sean

Exactly.


IIFC, US tried the IFC thing in first a while ago, realized how much it pissed us off, then went back to at least mediocre meals.

The IFC thing is still served on domestic flights blocked for a meal. The mediocre meals are on the flights blocked for a snack. Sadly, they've gone back to nothing. IFC is alive and well.

According to wahooflyer, who usually is right, flights from the east coast to DEN are snack; flights beyond Denver are meals. If he is wrong, please don't flame me.

The IFC thing is still served on domestic flights blocked for a meal. The mediocre meals are on the flights blocked for a snack. Sadly, they've gone back to nothing. IFC is alive and well.

According to wahooflyer, who usually is right, flights from the east coast to DEN are snack; flights beyond Denver are meals. If he is wrong, please don't flame me.


I know. I was referring to the IFC experiment that happened in 2003. Remember? Then flights went back to a pretty normal meal. Then came 2/1/05. I don't think I was clear enough.

I know. I was referring to the IFC experiment that happened in 2003. Remember? Then flights went back to a pretty normal meal. Then came 2/1/05. I don't think I was clear enough.

My apologies--I do recall that. Sorry for the misinterpretation. I'm strung out on a Cheez-Its and diet coke working on my disseration--obviously not thinking clearly! Thank God I have FT for distraction.

I was served a hot meal from CLT to Antigua last week. Three choices: beef, chicken or pasta. I had chicken and it wasn't very good. My husband chose the beef, his was O.K. XOXOs plentiful. Don't know about service on return because when I ask the gate agent in Antigua if my waitlist cleared, she advised me USAir did not allow upgrades and she was going to call security!! Such pleasant service to end my wonderful vacation on Antigua!!

I was served a hot meal from CLT to Antigua last week. Three choices: beef, chicken or pasta. I had chicken and it wasn't very good. My husband chose the beef, his was O.K. XOXOs plentiful. Don't know about service on return because when I ask the gate agent in Antigua if my waitlist cleared, she advised me USAir did not allow upgrades and she was going to call security!! Such pleasant service to end my wonderful vacation on Antigua!!

I would call Consumer Affairs and ask for compensation if the flight went out with empty F seats as you were not provided the upgrade you were entitled to - thus false advertising. If nothing less - it will provide them information which hopefully will get that agent either fired or educated (if they werent in the first place)

My guess is that the elimation of hot meals is a buddy-buddy thing because of this guy: http://www.gategourmet.com/797/798/985/890/1965/2080/1967.asp

On a side note, he also told me that when US and HP merge, we can expect F service to be at HP's current level. This includes glassware, silverware, and hot meals

Oh boy--when I hear you folks talk about bringing US F service up to HP levels I snicker. HP F is a joke, but reading this leads me to believe they are certainly not the worst out there.

BTW, I haven't seen glassware on any flight (every week) since probably last summer--it's always plastic. HP also only has plastic knives/forks, no silverware. Two options chix caesar or a tri-colored cheese tortilini concoction. Trust me--it was worse last year when all they served were gross and tiny hotpockets!

BTW, I haven't seen glassware on any flight (every week) since probably last summer--it's always plastic. HP also only has plastic knives/forks, no silverware. Two options chix caesar or a tri-colored cheese tortilini concoction.
Man I fly HP usually every week PHX-MSP and we always have glassware after takeoff. I personally don't care about glass vs plastic as I usually only drink soda. Most people that like the glass are drinking wine or beer. Also we always have metal forks. Short tines but still metal. Knife is always plastic of course.

Oh yeah the two options of "dinner". but sometimes they throw the shrimp on the salad and the chicken on the totilini stuff. I'm still trying to figure out if they just dropped stuff on the way in and that's how it ended up or if they really are shifting the meats around on purpose :)

Lance

My apologies--I do recall that. Sorry for the misinterpretation. I'm strung out on a Cheez-Its and diet coke working on my disseration--obviously not thinking clearly! Thank God I have FT for distraction.


Tis Ok, no apologies needed .... :cool:

Man I fly HP usually every week PHX-MSP and we always have glassware after takeoff. I personally don't care about glass vs plastic as I usually only drink soda. Most people that like the glass are drinking wine or beer. Also we always have metal forks. Short tines but still metal. Knife is always plastic of course.

Oh yeah the two options of "dinner". but sometimes they throw the shrimp on the salad and the chicken on the totilini stuff. I'm still trying to figure out if they just dropped stuff on the way in and that's how it ended up or if they really are shifting the meats around on purpose :)

Lance

Funny enough I think I was headed to Minneapolis the last time I saw a glass :D Drinking my heineken out of a glass tastes much better than some bud light plastic cup deal.

Does any (domestic) airline have metal knives yet? Having had nixed the metal knive (when you can honestly say there are any number of objects available that could do just as much damage as a knife) and the curtain seems so insane to me. How ridiculous :td:

Funny enough I think I was headed to Minneapolis the last time I saw a glass :D Drinking my heineken out of a glass tastes much better than some bud light plastic cup deal.

Does any (domestic) airline have metal knives yet? Having had nixed the metal knive (when you can honestly say there are any number of objects available that could do just as much damage as a knife) and the curtain seems so insane to me. How ridiculous :td:


Not sure about domestic travel, but there are some European cities that US serves, IIRC, that have real knives in Envoy. I belive FCO is one of them. I know that flights to the UK still do not have knives in Envoy.

Not sure about domestic travle, but there are some European cities that US serves, IIRC, that have real knives in Envoy. I belive FCO is one of them. I know that flights to the UK still do not have knives in Envoy.

I think the UK thing is in the process of changing (by law - then depends on particular airlines).

General question though...has there been any update at all on the restoration of real meals to US F and the restoration of glassware, etc. as promised to the OP during the merger?

IIFC, US tried the IFC thing in first a while ago, realized how much it pissed us off, then went back to at least mediocre meals. Now that most, if not all high-yield traffic is gone, they've no reason to offer a real F class.

My PHL-SEA-PHL and CLT-SEA-CLT flights over the past few weeks have all still had the boxed IFC meals. I have to be honest, given the choice between a mediocre F meal and IFC, I'll take IFC. If we went back to the "beef tenderloin days", of course IFC sucks, but at this point I like the efficiency and predictability of IFC.

My PHL-SEA-PHL and CLT-SEA-CLT flights over the past few weeks have all still had the boxed IFC meals. I have to be honest, given the choice between a mediocre F meal and IFC, I'll take IFC. If we went back to the "beef tenderloin days", of course IFC sucks, but at this point I like the efficiency and predictability of IFC.

I wouldn't mind IFC quality stuff on shorter flights (a sandwich for a transcon dinner is still pathedic) but if they would just put it on plates and a tray for the very least.

My PHL-SEA-PHL and CLT-SEA-CLT flights over the past few weeks have all still had the boxed IFC meals. I have to be honest, given the choice between a mediocre F meal and IFC, I'll take IFC. If we went back to the "beef tenderloin days", of course IFC sucks, but at this point I like the efficiency and predictability of IFC.

I was so hoping that this had changed in time for my CLT-SEA-CLT flights coming up soon-- maybe I'll just drink so much vodka that the intoxication will dull the hunger pangs!

I believe shorter America West flights have plastic cups.

And U.S. carriers are permitted to have real knives once again (not serrated though, I believe). Most just don't widespread because they don't want to pay for the cleaning costs.

While it's not a first class issue US is not alone in cutbacks.



AP
Northwest Nixes Pretzels on U.S. Flights
Friday May 27, 2:35 pm ET
Northwest Airlines Nixes Pretzels on U.S. Flights in Latest Cost-Cutting Move by Carrier


MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- In the latest cost-cutting move by a struggling airline carrier, Northwest Airlines Corp. is nixing pretzels on its domestic flights, months after it stopped serving free meals.
Beginning June 9, coach passengers who want anything other than soda will have to pay for it. They can get a 3-ounce bag of trail mix for $1. Northwest Airlines Corp. spokesman Kurt Ebenhoch said Friday the airline has no immediate plans to stop offering soda for free.


Full story here (http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/050527/northwest_pretzels.html?.v=4)