the "cold plate"...
 

Is anyone else seeing this being used more and more as a meal replacement? earlier this week I flew (4) segments each of which were 2+hrs each.

One of them there was no meal service (late evening flight) and the other 3 served this "cold plate."

This thing is not a meal in any way shape or form. It has that little pressed beaks-and-feet chicken strip, a piece of ham or salmon, some kind of noodles and then a little bunch of grapes.

What gives? I'm not looking for tenderloin here, but even the pizza, or sandwich and soup was fine... but this sucks.

Sounds like they're borrowing some of those great First Class recipes from Northwest.



[This message has been edited by snorkmaster (edited 02-07-2002).]

snorkmaster: lol.

i think a good rule of thumb is to pack a meal if you are going to be hungry. if you haven't noticed, airlines are cutting back on expenses. i never assumed an airline was a restaurant in the air. if i think i am going to be hungry (even if i am in first class (sorry i don't know the fare codes)), i pack food. i have no qualms with pulling out a sandwich in first class. even if you are in a severe rush, you can pick up two granola bars at the newspaper stand. that will hold you over until a proper restaurant in the destination city is reached. sure, a granola bar is not an optimal solution, but it's reality and you need to get used to it.

this is called flying in the year 2002.

[This message has been edited by fly co to see the yanks (edited 02-07-2002).]

[This message has been edited by fly co to see the yanks (edited 02-07-2002).]

I actually like the "cold plate" better than many of the hot meals. Here is a hint for you: Take the warm bread that comes with the cold plate and immediately slice it and add the butter to it to produce a butter-infused roll. Spread some of the currant sauce on the inside of the roll as well, and then add the Black Forest ham. Not a bad sandwhich. Next, take the chicken and eat it with a liberal amount of the currant spread and the cold bulgar wheat/cranberry mix. Another good combination. Eat the sharp cheddar cheese with your grapes for dessert.

If all else fails, just ring your call button and I will come and take the "cold plate" off of your hands at no charge.

OK, as long as we are on a fairly esoteric thread about food, why the hell do they insist on serving UNsalted butter?

and don't gimmie that line about how they serve salt on the side... it doesn't taste the same http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif unsalted butter is used for cooking, or sometimes making compound butters, not for spreading on bread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

and Joey when the Iron Chef chooses the "cold plate" as the theme ingredient I am sure they will review your post regarding potential courses to be created.

Wow, Joey, that sounds great. Thanks for the tip.

EWRCOflyer---don't know if it's true, but I've heard before as a cooking tip that unsalted butter is of a better grade; salt is a preservative and also is added to hide the taste of less than stellar butter, apparently (or maybe it was that they have to start with better-quality butter if they won't be adding salt before packaging). However, I've assumed that CO's reasoning is to let people adjust the salt themselves, not to showcase better butter. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif It seems a very minor way for them to be sodium sensitive, though.

...

I actually like the cold plate quite a bit. It is pretty small, though, but it gets me by until we touch down and I make it to dinner. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

ITYT | Library : Airlines : Continental Airlines (CO) : Food Service

I wish certain people would quit using abbreviations.

I tolerated the cold plate until they started putting seafood on it (seafood allergy).

Before 9/11 I remember having a salad with cold chicken strips on it which was probably the best "cold plate" thus far.

If any of you are on a flight with me I'll gladly trade you my shrimp for your chicken http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by jetsetter777 (edited 02-07-2002).]

Just chiming in, that cold plate is nasty... YUK!!!

At least in IAH, I hardly ever miss a Wendy's run

When in IAH on a connection, I never fail to pick up a Popeye's fried chicken meal to take on the plane. General jealousy of those around me. I've even taken it in BF and used it as a substitute for the main course. Don't ask.

UpgradeMe: i could not agree more (I.C.N.A.M.).

SCCl! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsdown.gif Fly HP to see the snakes http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif

I.C.N.A.M.?

~sorry, couldn't resist~ http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif



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Bad Gordon!

No Freddie for you!

neither could I (N.C.I.) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

The cold plate is one of my favorite CO offerings, though I think I've only had it on PHX-EWR red-eyes, when I'm generally not very hungry. I've not had it with the ham, but I do appreciate the chicken and shrimp variety.

Keeping with the abbreviations, perhaps "the cold plate" could be TCP. Oh wait. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Not to worry: starting March 2, CO will "remarket" its meal service, which probably means that you will see less of the cold plate, and more of the pretzel bags...

*cry*

"Remarket"?

Darn, they must have figured out that we know the real meaning of "enhancement"!

Can't "enhance" the meal service anymore, guess they'll "remarket" it... Anyone think the WSJ will post a follow up to their recent CO (thats continental, yanks) fluff piece?



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Bad Gordon!

No Freddie for you!

I believe they call the 'cold plate' something other then a meal!

"Would you like to join us in a snack?"

--------------------------------------

EAT RIGHT,EXERCISE, DIE ANYWAY!

Speaking of "enhancement" I see today that UA has actually "enhanced" their MP+ program. They have created a separate bucket for 1K reward tix (and actually used the word "enhance" in the press release)

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Has UA been stealing words from CO's dictionary?

Unsalted butter rules!

Long live lousy blue bottles of chardonnay!

I've heard 'appetizer plate' also. At least they don't call it dinner or lunch. Funny, though...appetizers are usually a precursor to something larger. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I hear "light snack" or "cold plate."

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daniel baker -- [email protected]
Reliable, fast, and unmoderated forums at ITYT.

When offered the cold plate, I always refuse and ask for several packs of peanuts or pretzels and a Sam Adams . . .

Joey, you can have my cold plate. They're pretty nasty.

[This message has been edited by eastwest (edited 02-07-2002).]

mmmmmm.....cold plate. yummy, thats the most mediocre ham sandwich I have ever made myself.

At least Continental serves food on its flights.

I'm in NW coach with the other walking freight on an 8 segment rdtrip and only 1 of the 8 segments even lists a snack! Guess It'll be Corkey's BBQ and granola bars again.

Well, I have to side with those who like the cold plate. Ahh, fond memories, heh heh: I became elite only last year, and on my first upgraded flight (a red-eye SFO-CLE), I was offered the "cold plate" and didn't think much of it, especially since it's listed in the schedule as a "snack." But when it came, I was actually impressed with all the stuff on there. I'm like, this is a "snack"?

[Side note: Then again, I'm all for whatever perks (*tries not to use the word "enhancements"*), so I can never seem to decline any food on a plane. Or entertainment. Unless it's "Rat Race" or "Planet of the Apes," or most of the others discussed here.] http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I flew last night (MCO/EWR) and didn't get my cold plate! The flight time was rolled ahead one half hour to leave later, and my "enhancement" for the new flight time was all of the pretzels I could eat (they actually ran out of peanuts!) And I HATE pretzels! Grrrrrrrr.

oh, no, i understand the mighty power of Popeye's. i've been offered some serious cash to let go of a piece of chicken.

people just don't get that you can bring outside food on board. this ain't the movie theatre, and besides, i bring in outside food there, too. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

(i actually don't much mind the cold plate, though i still liked the old one better.)

All I can add, is that the 'cold plate' isn't that cold!

My vote goes for the cold plate as well! I'll take it anytime over a pasta "meal" or one of their watery omelets. And IMHO the salmon is especially good!

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"Read my lips! No more benefit cuts!"...Gordon Bethune

The logical reason for the no salt butter is that some people need a low salt diet and if you want salted butter, just ADD THE SALT that they give you. It's not quite the same, but it eliminates the need to have TWO types of butter. Saves money.

- HobokenFlyer

Got a "new" cold plate last night... it had a new starch item...

So far I've had:
1) the vinegary buckwheat/soba noodles
2) and the brown rice goop

But last night I was treated to:
3) sesame/pineapple spaghettios

I must admit that the quality of the chicken has improved, this was actually a real piece of chicken, not some pressed chicken pieces. And, I do like the shrimp instead of the salmon.

C'mon guys.....

Don't you remember the TRI-COLOR pasta??

Now that really svcked. I'd take the cold plate over 3-color pasta anyday.

"Welcome aboard Mr. Plat. We have enhanced your meal service today, and instead of offering you a choice BETWEEN orange, yellow, and green pasta, we are offering you ALL THREE!"

hee hee hee http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif (Getting a little giddy I guess).