Enhanced TCON Service Trial
Nov 24, 2017, 5:35 am
#47
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Toronto, ON, CANADA
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Bonvoy LTE
Posts: 1,881
Because that's the best option out of the available options? I've been flying for 11 years, and in all 11 years, it's been that omlette or the pancakes with the maple butter and apple compote. I don't want the healthy option because that's just a big plate of fruit with oatmeal.
Nov 24, 2017, 8:04 am
#48
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Toronto - YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan/Hilton Gold/Marriott Bonvoy Titanium/Accor/Hyatt Gold Passport
Posts: 5,899
As a courtesy, and certain that it won't impact the meal choices of other Status Customers, I try to treat a couple (or extended family/partners) as a single entity. It's usually obvious if there is a shared last name, but always ask the Customer in question if they are travelling "solo" today.
Nov 24, 2017, 8:08 am
#49
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: sqrt(-united states of apologist)
Programs: *$ Green
Posts: 5,403
As a courtesy, and certain that it won't impact the meal choices of other Status Customers, I try to treat a couple (or extended family/partners) as a single entity. It's usually obvious if there is a shared last name, but always ask the Customer in question if they are travelling "solo" today.
Nov 24, 2017, 8:29 am
#50
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE (*A Gold), Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Hilton Gold, Amex Platinum / AP Reserve, NEXUS, Global Entry
Posts: 5,691
Nice report. Thanks for taking the time.
IMHO, serving elites and disregarding other paid J passengers is a huge "faux pas". It only happened once to me, but it's REALLY weird. Everyone around you gets meal and beverage requests, and you are just there looking at the ceiling. It really makes you wonder what you paid for.
IMHO, serving elites and disregarding other paid J passengers is a huge "faux pas". It only happened once to me, but it's REALLY weird. Everyone around you gets meal and beverage requests, and you are just there looking at the ceiling. It really makes you wonder what you paid for.
*I understand OP mentioned meal choice and cheese plate as examples of elite-only offerings, but I'm expanding on that here because, well, FT.
Nov 24, 2017, 8:51 am
#51
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Toronto - YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan/Hilton Gold/Marriott Bonvoy Titanium/Accor/Hyatt Gold Passport
Posts: 5,899
Nov 24, 2017, 9:54 am
#53
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: YVR
Programs: Ice Cream Club, AC SE MM, Bonvoy Life Plat
Posts: 2,803
Thanks for the detailed review!
The other times I've experienced an onboard service manager, there was no overt notification they were present but it was clear the elites were canvassed for opinions. I'm trying to see the enhancements, but all I note is Pre-departure beverage (PDB) is back (with glass instead of plastic?), one option for PDB booze (fizzy wine), and salt/pepper shakers (which may have been a catering mistake? Anyone confirm this is now a TCON standard?)
I'm tempted to book a YVR-YYZ J just to find out. Salt and pepper shakers (which I never use as a meal that requires seasoning is poorly prepared), a glass of prosecco PDB, and meals served on time when the cat's around are all the reason to move from CX 888/889... well, of course, better/more-frequent schedule and JFK is not YOW/YYZ/YUL...
Gotta ask my friends how often this OBSM thing is happening now... wonder how CUPE are taking it. =)
The other times I've experienced an onboard service manager, there was no overt notification they were present but it was clear the elites were canvassed for opinions. I'm trying to see the enhancements, but all I note is Pre-departure beverage (PDB) is back (with glass instead of plastic?), one option for PDB booze (fizzy wine), and salt/pepper shakers (which may have been a catering mistake? Anyone confirm this is now a TCON standard?)
I'm tempted to book a YVR-YYZ J just to find out. Salt and pepper shakers (which I never use as a meal that requires seasoning is poorly prepared), a glass of prosecco PDB, and meals served on time when the cat's around are all the reason to move from CX 888/889... well, of course, better/more-frequent schedule and JFK is not YOW/YYZ/YUL...
Gotta ask my friends how often this OBSM thing is happening now... wonder how CUPE are taking it. =)
Nov 24, 2017, 7:42 pm
#54
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 525
Thanks for the detailed review!
The other times I've experienced an onboard service manager, there was no overt notification they were present but it was clear the elites were canvassed for opinions. I'm trying to see the enhancements, but all I note is Pre-departure beverage (PDB) is back (with glass instead of plastic?), one option for PDB booze (fizzy wine), and salt/pepper shakers (which may have been a catering mistake? Anyone confirm this is now a TCON standard?)
I'm tempted to book a YVR-YYZ J just to find out. Salt and pepper shakers (which I never use as a meal that requires seasoning is poorly prepared), a glass of prosecco PDB, and meals served on time when the cat's around are all the reason to move from CX 888/889... well, of course, better/more-frequent schedule and JFK is not YOW/YYZ/YUL...
Gotta ask my friends how often this OBSM thing is happening now... wonder how CUPE are taking it. =)
The other times I've experienced an onboard service manager, there was no overt notification they were present but it was clear the elites were canvassed for opinions. I'm trying to see the enhancements, but all I note is Pre-departure beverage (PDB) is back (with glass instead of plastic?), one option for PDB booze (fizzy wine), and salt/pepper shakers (which may have been a catering mistake? Anyone confirm this is now a TCON standard?)
I'm tempted to book a YVR-YYZ J just to find out. Salt and pepper shakers (which I never use as a meal that requires seasoning is poorly prepared), a glass of prosecco PDB, and meals served on time when the cat's around are all the reason to move from CX 888/889... well, of course, better/more-frequent schedule and JFK is not YOW/YYZ/YUL...
Gotta ask my friends how often this OBSM thing is happening now... wonder how CUPE are taking it. =)
Nov 24, 2017, 8:51 pm
#55
Join Date: May 2012
Location: BKK/SIN/YYZ/YUL
Programs: DL, AC, Bonvoy, Accor, Hilton
Posts: 2,917
I wonder if plating is the efficient & sanitary way to go because individual plating from one big catering container means;
- More handling of the exposed food and as we all know, the more hands involved, the greater the risk of illness.
- Greater likelihood of spillage and loss of meals. A bit of turbulence might cost a lost plate, but the dropping of a large container could cause some grief.
- Greater likelihood of spoilage of multiple meals.
It's nice that they want to plate onboard, but I don't see the direct benefit to the customer. I'd rather an improvement in the quality of institutional type meals served.
- More handling of the exposed food and as we all know, the more hands involved, the greater the risk of illness.
- Greater likelihood of spillage and loss of meals. A bit of turbulence might cost a lost plate, but the dropping of a large container could cause some grief.
- Greater likelihood of spoilage of multiple meals.
It's nice that they want to plate onboard, but I don't see the direct benefit to the customer. I'd rather an improvement in the quality of institutional type meals served.
Nov 25, 2017, 12:50 am
#56
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Spatially speaking or metaphysically speaking?
Programs: Aeropain: Zirconia Status; Altitude: Marianas Trench Status; UA MP: 1 Kick to the curb status
Posts: 623
Seeing as how I've heard the best airplane in NA is also a great Canadian institution, it seems appropriate that AC serves institutional-type meals.
Nov 25, 2017, 12:54 am
#57
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: YVR
Programs: UA Plat; Marriott Gold; SPG Gold; Hyatt Gold; Hertz Gold
Posts: 87
I wonder if plating is the efficient & sanitary way to go because individual plating from one big catering container means;
- More handling of the exposed food and as we all know, the more hands involved, the greater the risk of illness.
- Greater likelihood of spillage and loss of meals. A bit of turbulence might cost a lost plate, but the dropping of a large container could cause some grief.
- Greater likelihood of spoilage of multiple meals.
It's nice that they want to plate onboard, but I don't see the direct benefit to the customer. I'd rather an improvement in the quality of institutional type meals served.
- More handling of the exposed food and as we all know, the more hands involved, the greater the risk of illness.
- Greater likelihood of spillage and loss of meals. A bit of turbulence might cost a lost plate, but the dropping of a large container could cause some grief.
- Greater likelihood of spoilage of multiple meals.
It's nice that they want to plate onboard, but I don't see the direct benefit to the customer. I'd rather an improvement in the quality of institutional type meals served.
Nov 25, 2017, 5:06 am
#58
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,302
As a courtesy, and certain that it won't impact the meal choices of other Status Customers, I try to treat a couple (or extended family/partners) as a single entity. It's usually obvious if there is a shared last name, but always ask the Customer in question if they are travelling "solo" today.
On YVR-NRT the FA taking meal orders said, "Mr. Companion, I can see you're traveling with Mr. Kennedy, so what would you like to have?"
It was totally unnecessary, unexpected, and appreciated.
No shared last name, but AC just won my companion business from UA, AA, and DL. When you're trying to impress someone, "Sir, we have the pork left." "I'm Jewish - you don't have any of the other three options?" doesn't cut it.
Nov 25, 2017, 7:27 am
#59
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 2,494
I think we are at +3 now?
Get the basics first.
Nov 25, 2017, 10:02 am
#60
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: TK *G
Posts: 3,099
I have seen an aluminium tray of about 10 steaks in the galley. So if things have not change, at least the mains are packed together then plated individually.