Originally Posted by
sfoeuroflyer
It would be interesting to learn what standards are today given to the catering companies and what the airlines do as follow up and checks. One thing for sure: there is a big difference between the photos that are posted on the website and the appearance in the aircraft cabins. Lax standards? Absence of checks?
When UA makes their meal selections they are presented with real completed dishes and allowed to taste the food -- then they sign off on the meals. I do not blame UA at all for the lack of correlation -- the kitchens that are responsible for delivery.
However, this is true for all airlines, and I can tell you as someone that used to work in the industry the kitchens will pay more attention to preparation for their better / most profitable customers, and to me that is where we have the disconnect. UA gets attention because they bring in a lot of business -- but they also get much less experienced staff who prepare the food much more quickly and with less care -- the proof is in the pictures we see across the airlines...
Bottom line is that the profit UA delivers to the caterers is much less than you think -- and you get what you pay for... It really is true -- the specifications and payment for food is higher at other airlines.