On AA the cabin crew gets a Passenger Information Listing (PIL). PILs for first and business are usually posted in the galleys so the FAs will know passenger names. Each name has a series of two-to-four-letter codes that give the type of ticket (paid, paid in lower class of service with award upgrade, award, etc.), the passenger's AA or oneWorld partner elite level, Admiral's Club membership, and a host of others - there's even a code for "prisoner in handcuffs."

Most FAs don't know what the rarer codes mean, but the list is printed on the back of the meal request form. (Unless they're using photocopies; nobody would copy the back.)