declining priority meal selection
 

The most recent mention on meal priority as applied to the PE cabin had me thinking.

On my most recent trip back from Hong Kong, I flew PE, and when the FA asked me for my meal choice for the first meal, I told him that both selections looked good, so he could bring me whatever was left over after he'd checked with the other passengers (despite only being E50K, I was one of the first people asked, if not the first one - I wasn't really paying attention before he asked me). After he'd checked everybody else's preferences, he came back to me and said he had some of both meals,so I chose.

At the time I though I was being considerate, since I honestly didn't have a preference and didn't want to take an option away from somebody who did but would be asked after me. However, now I'm thinking that I might just have created more work for the FA, since he came back to me afterward.

I'm socially awkward and bad at reading body language, and socially awkward, so I honestly couldn't tell at the time which way I should have gone. (Did I mention I'm socially awkward?) However, I figure that if I canvass the group mind, I might be able to get a better feel for the next time this occurs.

Hello fellow introvert.

I don't think you created any additional hassle. Effectively, it just means that she asks you again last, which is not a big deal.

As an aside, I was on CDG-YUL, full J cabin. Only 5/28 had status in J. The FA actually asked me early on for my meal selection despite being only E35k. (They are only obligated to ask SE and SEMM+ first).

I would love to hear from our resident SD on this topic, but in the past, when I've told them I'm indifferent between two options, they seem to have been thankful/appreciative of my flexibility. A few have told them it makes it easier for them since they frequently run out of at least one selection before they get to the end of the J cabin.

On the contrary. I think you did them a favour. This way they wouldn't have to deal with someone who may be disgruntled because they didn't get their meal choice. I think if they thought it was more work they wouldn't have come back to you since you didn't specify a preference.

I think you were being considerate. It makes it easy for the SD as well as for the other passengers (some who may have a definite preference).

I completely agree. I always feel bad for the FA when they have to tell a J pax they only have one choice. Its awkward, and sometimes the pax get all worked up over it and create grief for the crew :(

I did this once on YYZ-SFO. The SD seemed to appreciate it, but he still had 3 of the 4 options when he came back to me, so I still got my first choice :p

It adds a TINY bit more work in a case like this, but if it means that the person at the back of the cabin doesn't have to say "I WANT THE BEEF I WANT THE BEEF I WANT THE BEEF", it makes it much easier for the crew :p

Thanks to the people that do this.

For those of us with dietary restrictions where we dont get our SPML it means the world.

In the past I've tried to say that I'd like them to give me last choice. This is understood and appreciated by many SDs, but some become confused and the request then seems awkward.

My current approach is, when asked, to state my choice adding that I'm flexible if it helps them out with another passenger. This seems to work well enough.

Slight digression, but I'm an SE who almost always declines the food. This typically results in my being completely ignored for drinks, snacks etc, even throughout long haul flights. Of course, I could call the FAs and request service, but I've found it easier to just bring my own food. It would though be nice if I could fly YYZ-HKG or YVR-SYD in paid J and be offered a drink without having to ask for one.