This benefit doesn't always work for me. I'm asked about 70-80% of the time; otherwise it's done by row (usually front to back, but sometimes back to front). Some legs have become predictable to me, i.e. usually never asked on YHZ - YYZ legs where it's a continuation of the flight originating from LHR. There (based on 7+ observations so far) meals are usually just served from one end of the cabin to the other and the direction changes, randomly (I've tried both sides and never seem to hit it right). My guess is it's likely FAs are just tired from a long day and don't want to bother.

I 've never made an issue of it, but consistency on this would be helpful for this picky SE eater. (...and before anyone says it, no I don't eat SEs, just wasn't sure how else to say that efficiently)