Would UA delay a flight just under instead of over 3h to avoid meal vouchers?
I had an incoming aircraft delayed to arrive at 2:33pm today after it was wheels up from its origin; my outgoing flight was then estimated to depart 2h55m late on that aircraft at *cough* 2:50pm, and estimated to arrive 2h59m late. I don't think it is realistic for UA to turn a plane in 17 minutes. As it turns out, the incoming plane is now scheduled to arrive at 2:16pm, but I don't think UA can turn a plane in 39 minutes either. I do wonder if I will be delayed less than 3 hours in the end . . . but I am suspicious about the 2h55m / 2h59m delay.
Thoughts? (For those who don't know, travelers in premium cabins get meal vouchers for 3h+ delays).
For the record, I ate in the United Club. Also, I could stand to skip a meal. And I let my last $20 meal voucher go unused because it was late at night and I wasn't hungry and I don't play the online game.