I generally never bother with anything on MAN-LHR or vice versa runs. I'll eat and/or drink in a lounge prior to the flight, failing that, I can survive the 40 mins or so without a blob of humous with a lettuce leaf on top especially if I'm connecting and have sufficient time to relax in a lounge..
Mostly going to be driving if I'm heading back to MAN, so no alcohol on board.

Never understood why, as said, they can't take orders on the ground. Sometimes there's a good 20-30 mins there, so they can't complain about no time (or is it due to working practices / hours paid?)
Southwest manage to do the entire plane, AA sometimes do it etc.

As for selected staff, depends on who you've got in the pool in the first place. Sure a lot of "better / more experienced" staff would prefer to be bidding on long haul flights to sunnier climes (assuming that's how things work?)