Announcing the arrival of Mr. Pibb
 

Flying to Boston yesterday the flight attendant was asking, “what would you like to drink, anything but coffee” as we were boarding (some problem with the water prevented brewing java).

Never missing to opportunity to rib CO for pulling Dr. Pepper, I told him as he approached me “you’d better not ask me that or I’ll say Dr. Pepper which I know you don’t have.”

He started with the usual “well, we have an exclusive contract with Coke” line then added to my STUNNED DISBELEIF “but we do have Mr. Pibb”.

Apparently, Jan 1 brought us a new soft drink, Coke’s Dr. Peper knockoff, Mr. Pibb (actually its called something like Pibb xtra). The 735 I was on had several cans (I drank 2) ERJ’s only get 1 can so there is now a risk associated with 12A for pepperholics.

DP would be better, but at 30,000 feet, you can't pop into the 7-11. Thanks CO! Start ordering it inflight so they keep it, unless you are in front of me on a RJ with only 1 can.

i just noticed this on my atl-iah flight on the 15th. I was double checking CO's beer selection (oh, how i miss the sam adam's days) and i noticed mr. pibb on the list of beverages.

i was going to post it, but i figured it was old news.

Yeah! I can go to sleep happy...with sweet dreams about my next flight...:D

I've noticed that Texans love their Dr Pepper. I know the company has ties to Waco and Plano, but it seems disproportionately popular in TX relative to other parts of the country. Any Houstonians want to fill me in as to why?

They had Mr. Pibb on our LGW-EWR flight the other day. I thought it was just because they were catered from LGW. Other pax were surprised, too!

Surprised there's no press release: with AirTran -- perhaps because of their Atlanta ties -- you keep getting press releases like "AirTran is the first US airline to offer the latest Coca-Cola product: Coke with essence of bitterroot and guava." :)

Dr Pepper has its roots in Texas, which probably explains its local popularity.

http://inventors.about.com/library/i...bldrpepper.htm

I'd guess that CO is adding the product to appeal to local tastes, but perhaps doesn't want to emphasize that it's now serving "imitation" Dr Pepper!

Mr Pibb would be a big plus for me as I don't like any of the others offered. Usually just get water.

They used to carry Diet Dr. Pepper. Do they carry Diet Mr. Pibb? Does such a product even exist?

Yes!!
 

Finally! A soda that I'll actually ENJOY while flying. I reluctantly had to fly American last weekend (they serve Dr. Pepper) and I kept thinking how Continental should get Dr. P or Pibb. WhooHooo

Michael Vick tried to bring his own roots (or herbs) on board in a water container. I don't know which is dumber? Trying to bring herb on board or trying to bring a water container on board

Don't know if it exists but, if it does, we don't carry it. I'd like to see it too.

According to Wikipedia:

"Introduced in August 1971 to compete against the popular drink Dr Pepper, Pibb has a small but loyal following in many parts of the United States, especially the South. Many hold that Mr PiBB had a flavor distinct from and far more nuanced than Dr Pepper, with slight hints of both root beer and chocolate soda. A diet version was also available into the 1990s in some markets, notably Texas. Some Pibb soda cans were uniquely shaped; instead of the traditional cylinder, the can had faceted sides."

This still doesn't make up for the loss of Dr. Pepper and 7-Up a few years ago. But I'll still drink the Mr. Pibb, even though I'd prefer the real thing.

more nuanced?
 

I really don't think Pibb is "more nuanced" and it tastes far sweeter than dr pepper; if you compared the two in a pepsi challenge, I bet pepper would win. That being said, Pibb's still a pretty good soda.

I still think it's a travesty that CO is the only one of the three Texas-based airlines to not serve Dr. Pepper. Flew Southwest SAN-OAK on Wednesday and enjoyed a whole can. (The flight attendant said I was the only one to order it, but that on Texas flights it's a whole 'nother story.) Nevertheless, Mr. Pibb is a slight improvement... :)