Earlier today, DCA to ORD flight. I see a non-uniformed guy board with the crew (he had been sitting alone apart from the late-arriving crew). It was pretty obvious it was an air marshall. The flight boards, I head for 5F (no aisles available) and lo and behold Mr. Marshall is in 5E.

Then the FA starts taking the meal orders from the front (I'd specifically chosen row 5 for FEBO. I was listening to the orders, and had a bad feeling what was probably going to happen. But to my surprise, she comes to our row and asks me my preference. Before I can blurt out "chicken", Mr Marshall almost shouts out "C H I C K E N"!!!! (OK, I'm embellishing just a bit). So, due to allergy, I'm left without a meal.

Don't worry, I'm not filing a complaint or demanding compensation It's just part of the ebb and flow of flying these days. And on reflection, I guess it was a good thing that our fearless federale had plenty of energy (and a non-upset stomach) in case he's called upon to do his job.

An an exit question, I'll ask the following: When the FA knows she/he only has one desirable meal left, whom should she ask FIRST?

a) aisle person
b) window person
c) elite order
d) better looking person
e) other