I think the elimination of the bread basket and the cheese cart, the salad service with dressing choice may be related to establishing a more consistent service across flights and crews. Eliminate these elements of the service that require a human touch, and you reduce the risk of complaints and disgruntled passengers.

Also, I think UA especially with its unions and the employee ownership, have a process that allows flight crew reps to get involved in the decision making process to change up the service.

I have had some of the best service from foreign city based crews inbound to SFO and what I suspect are former CO only crews (before the union deal was reached), and as well some of the most horrible service possible from global first out of SFO to TPAC destinations.