Originally Posted by
Stranger
You would think that in addition to the pre-selection they would still add an assortment. Perhaps with somewhat less extras. So might increase the odds of not getting first choice if ordering onboard, but only marginally.
Originally Posted by
canopus27
If they are smart about it (ha ha ha ha ... I know ... but just dream with me here) then they could change the number of the different types of meals, based on the pre-orders ... and still make the remaining meals available with the same percentage distribution.
In other words, if 20/30 pre-order beef ... and AC's default model is to allocate 30% of all meals as beef ... then they should load 20+3 beef meals. So sure, the 4th SE carnivore might be unhappy ... hmmm, which might be an issue the next time 6 of us fly down to EZE together ... but it should be ok in most cases.
It depends on how many they typically carry of each. I remember a UA flight with 16J where they catered 1 beef, 1 or 2 pasta, and 12 or 13 chicken. I think AC is usually less stupid about their ratios, but the fewer meals that aren't pre-ordering, the higher the chances of those getting asked early not being able to get get what they want.