I know on CO in BF you can ask for an "Express Meal" which will consolidate all items on a tray and serve you at once if you wanted to get back to work/sleep/whatever. If you asked for such a meal on a transcon, they'd probably accommodate you.

Personally I like the service because it's like a restaurant. This came up on the CO board a month or two ago, and most people tended to like it this way, though some people did not. I could imagine if you're anxious to get back to work, this may not be the best style of service. Similarly, when on the ground, if you needed to get back to the hotel and work, you wouldn't eat in a nice restaurant.