Bye Bye Meals At Meal Time?
Apr 14, 2008, 5:53 pm
#61
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Programs: Still trying to use my Continental OnePass miles...
Posts: 171
Years ago when Willliam M. Gaines, the publisher of MAD Magazine, was still alive he took the Usual Gang of Idiots (MAD staff) to Disney World on Eastern Airlines. A hot meal was served. I thought it was chicken. One of the other writers thought it was veal, and a third said he thought it was beef. We asked the FA to settle the dispute. Without blinking a eye she looked at us and said: "It's whatever you want it to be!"
Dick DeBartolo
MAD's Maddest Writer
Dick DeBartolo
MAD's Maddest Writer
Amazing. I am a huge fan of Mr. DeBartolo and my post about airline food prompted him to respond.
Gotta love it.
Apr 14, 2008, 6:32 pm
#62
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: TX
Posts: 2,734
Three weeks ago CO 2298 IAH-IND on a Sunday served "turkey pucks". Yesterday, Sunday as well, they served only pretzels. Meals are gone?
Apr 17, 2008, 10:42 am
#63
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: New York City
Posts: 20
On Continental 2 weeks ago (5 hour domestic flight) the meal was a boxed sandwich or something. They said it was a snack service. I'm one of the special meals people, so I couldn't have one.
But a few months ago to Europe and back there were the regular old hot meals service, along with the special dietary requests. Not sure really what the rules are anymore about the meals thing.
But a few months ago to Europe and back there were the regular old hot meals service, along with the special dietary requests. Not sure really what the rules are anymore about the meals thing.
Apr 17, 2008, 10:48 am
#64
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: EWR
Programs: CO
Posts: 162
It really depends on variable factors. Flights over a certain amount of time AND during a designated meal time get the turkey pucks in coach, with the exception of transcons, which usually get a more traditional meal. If not during a meal time you get pretzels or peanuts. No special meal available during the snack service.
ETA: Here is a link to the way CO sets up the meals:
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...4523C0AAFDB838
ETA: Here is a link to the way CO sets up the meals:
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...4523C0AAFDB838
Apr 17, 2008, 10:53 am
#65
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB Silver going for Gold
Posts: 21,853
UA offered soup in Y about 15 years ago YVR-ORD (I'm not a frequent UA flyer). Never seen it offered in the back cabin on many airlines over the decades otherwise until KL started serving it on long haul (2nd meal/snack) earlier this year. Other than that, I've only seen soup in int'l FC and never in int'l BC.
FWIW, KL's intra-European meal service depends on the length of flight. The longer-hauls such as AMS-OTP have this rather filling pasta salad (sponsored by Bertolli/Unilever). Shorter hauls such as ZRH and VIE only have confectionery (not even a sandwich). LHR flights have even less.
FWIW, KL's intra-European meal service depends on the length of flight. The longer-hauls such as AMS-OTP have this rather filling pasta salad (sponsored by Bertolli/Unilever). Shorter hauls such as ZRH and VIE only have confectionery (not even a sandwich). LHR flights have even less.
Apr 17, 2008, 10:55 am
#66
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: TX
Posts: 2,734
It really depends on variable factors. Flights over a certain amount of time AND during a designated meal time get the turkey pucks in coach, with the exception of transcons, which usually get a more traditional meal. If not during a meal time you get pretzels or peanuts. No special meal available during the snack service.
ETA: Here is a link to the way CO sets up the meals:
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...4523C0AAFDB838
ETA: Here is a link to the way CO sets up the meals:
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...4523C0AAFDB838
Apr 17, 2008, 10:58 am
#67
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: EWR
Programs: CO
Posts: 162
Well it could have been a catering error or just Expressjet being ornery.
Apr 17, 2008, 11:31 am
#68
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: HH Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 10,476
"I think people overplay the cost advantage of owning Chelsea. They only have, as I understand it, ops in 6 airports: the 3 current hubs and 3 former hubs of DEN, LAX, and HNL. That leaves them still paying for food on about 40% of flights, those from other locations back to hubs. "
Not exactly 100% accurate. CO can, and does, 'tanker' meals on some RTs.
For instance, on EWR-ORD outbound Wednesday, for lunch (in FC, of course
) I received a chicken in a pita and sauce, soup, and fruit salad. I had exactly the same meal on my lunch return on Thursday.
Not exactly 100% accurate. CO can, and does, 'tanker' meals on some RTs.
For instance, on EWR-ORD outbound Wednesday, for lunch (in FC, of course
) I received a chicken in a pita and sauce, soup, and fruit salad. I had exactly the same meal on my lunch return on Thursday.I do agree that having some sort of free food does differentiate CO from other carriers. All things being equal, I would certainly choose CO.
Apr 17, 2008, 1:22 pm
#69
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
Yes, it's called "double catering" or "double provisioning". AA started doing it years ago when they owned "Sky Chefs" (just as CO still owns Chelsea today) to save money. Our group at AA did an extensive cost-benefit analysis on double catering and realized that it could save substantial amounts of money. In fact, AA had its Super-80's configured with two galleys in Y specifically for double catering.
I do agree that having some sort of free food does differentiate CO from other carriers. All things being equal, I would certainly choose CO.
I do agree that having some sort of free food does differentiate CO from other carriers. All things being equal, I would certainly choose CO.
On today's earnings conference call, Kellner mentioned they are looking at downline catering for destinations not currently served by Chelsea so they can eliminate/reduce outside catering contracts. Same reasoning as you used at AA.
I think when Northwest tried this it led to going from 2 to one first class meal choice. Not sure about the logistics here.