Changes in Dinner Service in F
Aug 6, 2002 | 12:16 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 4
Changes in Dinner Service in F
I fly weekly from IAH-IND, and have noticed some changes that made me wonder if Continental is lowering the level of service in F.
On the last two segments I have flown between the two cities, there was only one meal selection offered, which was the BBQ sandwich with a cup of split pea soup. It appears to me that this is more like something that would be served at lunch, because there is also no dessert. But both of these segments were around 6 pm.
Has anyone else noticed anything like this?
On the last two segments I have flown between the two cities, there was only one meal selection offered, which was the BBQ sandwich with a cup of split pea soup. It appears to me that this is more like something that would be served at lunch, because there is also no dessert. But both of these segments were around 6 pm.
Has anyone else noticed anything like this?
Aug 6, 2002 | 12:24 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: IAH
Programs: UA 1K/*G
Posts: 2,397
I had the BBQ sandwich and split pea soup as a lunch service on IAH-JAX last Friday.
My return was a pretty forgettable dinner service, but it was on a Saturday afternoon and there were just 2 people confirmed in FC when I showed up (including myself), so I hardly blame them for not trying.
Beyond that in the past few weeks, the FC dinner service on weekdays has been the very good three course meal that I have come to expect.
My return was a pretty forgettable dinner service, but it was on a Saturday afternoon and there were just 2 people confirmed in FC when I showed up (including myself), so I hardly blame them for not trying.
Beyond that in the past few weeks, the FC dinner service on weekdays has been the very good three course meal that I have come to expect.
Aug 6, 2002 | 7:09 am
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: new york, ny, usa
Posts: 13,536
even before 9/11 cutbacks, i have always assumed that the food in first class suc*s. that's why i bring my own food since, in most cases, i can feed myself better than any transportation company can. i would rather be pleasantly surprised by a rare good meal than stuck on a plane with yucky food.
Aug 6, 2002 | 9:29 am
#4
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Programs: DL PM, BA Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 188
I've done that a few times, always seem to get weird reactions from FA's or passengers when you are sitting there and suddenly pull out a random bag and start eating (Eyes looking over as in..."this ain't coach"). But then again who cares, I'm hungry!
I've learned, especially on the 8:30 EWR-FLL flight when nothing but peanuts is served on that 3hr flight
But regarding F service degrating, I'm still glad to see the ice cream cart around on some longer domestic flights
I've learned, especially on the 8:30 EWR-FLL flight when nothing but peanuts is served on that 3hr flight
But regarding F service degrating, I'm still glad to see the ice cream cart around on some longer domestic flights
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fly co to see the yanks:
even before 9/11 cutbacks, i have always assumed that the food in first class suc*s. that's why i bring my own food since...</font>
even before 9/11 cutbacks, i have always assumed that the food in first class suc*s. that's why i bring my own food since...</font>
Aug 10, 2002 | 10:59 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: IAH
Programs: UA 1K/*G
Posts: 2,397
OK, I take back my comment from before. I flew JAX-IAH yesterday (Friday) night at 6:38pm with a full FC (and the usual waiting list).
It was the exact same meal that I had noted as forgettable, but excused it because it was a saturday afternoon.
Nothing wrong with the meal, but it's a far cry from the usual 2 choices of 3 course meals that I'm used to on that route.
Also, I had the same unappealing BBQ sandwich and split pea soup again on Wednesday afternoon and didn't each much besides the chocolate. Sigh.
It was the exact same meal that I had noted as forgettable, but excused it because it was a saturday afternoon.
Nothing wrong with the meal, but it's a far cry from the usual 2 choices of 3 course meals that I'm used to on that route.
Also, I had the same unappealing BBQ sandwich and split pea soup again on Wednesday afternoon and didn't each much besides the chocolate. Sigh.
Aug 11, 2002 | 4:31 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: DTW
Programs: Choice Plat, Marriott Lifetime Gold, National Exec Elite, Spirit Gold
Posts: 3,135
In my limited flying, I have noticed a difference on the morning flights. Flew CLE-FLL nonstop morning flight late in May, then again in early July. The FC fruit plate had exactly HALF as much fruit in July. Right down to HALF a strawberry vs a full one. Yep, that'll save the company... Profits oughta be back anytime now...
Aug 11, 2002 | 8:04 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Ft Lauderdale
Posts: 2,596
My gripe about all of this suddenly on meal flights there is only one choice. I don't eat red meat, so when that's the only choice I'm totally out of luck. IAH-FLL the other evening was a beef brisket sandwich. But then again I guess this is better than the 8:30 from EWR to FLL, which has already been discussed.
Aug 11, 2002 | 8:21 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: IAH
Programs: UA 1K/*G
Posts: 2,397
You can request a special meal if you don't want red meat.
Aug 11, 2002 | 9:13 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Ft Lauderdale
Posts: 2,596
Yeah, I know. But actually there's not one I can request that doesn't rule out red meat. One time I did this and I ended up with what they called a "Lean Roast Beef Sandwich".
Aug 11, 2002 | 9:27 pm
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: new york, ny, usa
Posts: 13,536
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by umguy:
Yeah, I know. But actually there's not one I can request that doesn't rule out red meat. One time I did this and I ended up with what they called a "Lean Roast Beef Sandwich". </font>
Yeah, I know. But actually there's not one I can request that doesn't rule out red meat. One time I did this and I ended up with what they called a "Lean Roast Beef Sandwich". </font>
Aug 11, 2002 | 10:50 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: IAH
Programs: UA 1K/*G
Posts: 2,397
They have different levels of vegetarian, too.
Aug 14, 2002 | 1:04 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Various tier levels of frequent flyer/hotel plans received for bellyaching about minor flaws in the service I received.
Posts: 610
One thing to consider when choosing a special meal is that unless you get upgraded 24-48 hours prior, you won't get an upgraded special meal. Most of the time the F/A's will let you take the First Class meal if you'd like. But sometimes if they're short of meals, you have to take your economy special meal. Anytime that's happened, they've always made a valiant effort to put the little veggie burrito on a nice doily though. You get whatever setting and condiments (ie salad etc.) the basic meal gets.
Aug 14, 2002 | 2:25 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 1999
Posts: 3,709
The food service I really miss the most is the muffin/banana on the 6:50 BDL-CLE ERJ-145.
Ditto for NW on their 6:25 BDL-DTW. That is even worse schedule-wise.
I need to be out of my house by 3:30 - 4:00 AM to make these flight. My only choice is to grab something at a gas station. If I arrive at the airport without eating, no dice.
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"I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own."
Ditto for NW on their 6:25 BDL-DTW. That is even worse schedule-wise.
I need to be out of my house by 3:30 - 4:00 AM to make these flight. My only choice is to grab something at a gas station. If I arrive at the airport without eating, no dice.
------------------
"I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own."
Aug 14, 2002 | 3:16 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Singapore
Posts: 234
My favorite is by far the biscuits! Yummy!
Here's a good one for you - last week I was in IAH-BOG in seat 1B. Dinner was choice of pasta/chicken/mixed meat - I ordered the pasta. When the FA can though to clear the salad plate I was still eating. He served everyone else the entree, came and took my plate, and then informed me that they ran out of pasta, but I could switch to chicken - I'll eat almost anything but chicken so I declined politely not wanting to cause a stir - but I was pretty burned - i understand that "my choice may not be available", but I never thought that my choice would be given to someone else if I didn't eat fast enough.
Here's a good one for you - last week I was in IAH-BOG in seat 1B. Dinner was choice of pasta/chicken/mixed meat - I ordered the pasta. When the FA can though to clear the salad plate I was still eating. He served everyone else the entree, came and took my plate, and then informed me that they ran out of pasta, but I could switch to chicken - I'll eat almost anything but chicken so I declined politely not wanting to cause a stir - but I was pretty burned - i understand that "my choice may not be available", but I never thought that my choice would be given to someone else if I didn't eat fast enough.