So I understand cutbacks. No explanation needed there.

But who is the genius that decided that food offered for sale had to be junk? Why not offer something decent and charge for it? Particularly on mid-cons and transcons there is no excuse for not offering reasonable food at prices being charged for the junk now.

I know the apologists for AA will say that they are afraid of spoilage and taking a loss when that happens, but that is just an issue of price. One simply factors in spoilage as part of the price.

The dreadful reality is that everything sinks to the lowest demoninator at AA. Other airlines are wising up to the fact that you can put in extra things and charge for it. Jet Blue for $30 each way will sell a seat with 4" extra legroom (and by the way, their regular seats have 4" more than AA to begin with). Virgin America offers much better food for sale.

Instead of monitizing baggage for extra revenue, monetize food and some seats with more legroom.

Arpey's evident attitude is that the only way to survive is by making things worse, rather than being clever about how to offer something for which people will pay more.

In any event, I cannot begin to justify dismal food for sale under any set of circumstances.