Originally Posted by
carrotjuice
What does prioritizing in the galley mean?
Does it mean that passengers replies freely what they want to eat and the crew takes down the order with a nod but, in case the order is subsequently deprioritized in the galley then the crew gets back to the passenger with "sorry your order is no longer available"? But wouldn't the passenger know then, that the reason is someone else has been given higher priority on the chosen dish?
Sometimes in long haul the crew who is tasked to take the order would have numbers next to each dish - 18 chicken, 2 fish, etc. And as passengers convey their order the number is crossed off one by one. Again wouldn't this mean the passenger sees how many orders are left and therefore deduce his or her pecking order of priority?
Well yes, they have the numbers of meals and are also aware of where card holders are sitting and will hopefully skilfully prepare some customers for the possibility of disappointment and ask for their second choice if the first is likely to be unavailable. They would obviously only need to do that if they realise more than normal are going for the same meal. In an ideal situation everyone will get their choice and the ratios are adjusted by BA regularity to try and ensure that happens on most flights.
It is not an easy job if done correctly and obviously with more than one cabin and sometimes more than one person taking orders, that is why the final decision is taken in the galley.