Is There a Uniform Odor on CO?
 

No, I don't mean the crews' uniforms stink. I mean TSMRSRNE mentioned that she smells a distinct odor every time food is served on board--the same odor regardless of what's being served. She was shocked that I didn't know what she was talking about. (And before anyone suggests it, no, the odor is not coming from yours truly.) I suspect it's a smell from the oven heating elements. Does anyone else smell a uniform smell every time? What is the answer to this burning question?

Ah ..the other definition of "Uniform".

Yeah , I smell it, but have no way to account for it.

I totally know what you're referring to, and from what I can recall on OA, it's a very distinguishable smell only from CO. I even notice it sometimes when boarding clear from the gate with the jetway door open.

I've always attributed it to the heating element for the food. It is typically the strongest a few minutes before they serve the meal and dies down quickly shortly after.

Recycled cabin air has a universal odor. But I've never noticed anything CO-specific.

My roomates at home always comment how I smell like the plane when I get home. I think it is more the way the plane smells than the uniform. I steam my uniform before every trip which freshens it up but, if I do not work for a long time I smell it on my uniform. This is even the case after I get it dry cleaned, so it is not a matter of the uniform being dirty.

Could you be smelling the disinfectant that is on every CO airplane including the props? It is always strongest in the bathrooms but perfuses the entire airplane with it's aroma.

pretty sure this is it, because it is not a foul odor like I smell on some American Eagle prop/RJs (their mainline aren't too bad)

I know that smell too, but this one is different. I think it might have to do with the ovens.

I would think that it is the ovens. Especially if strong in front but weak in rear. IE the front ovens get used more. As a chef I would assume that the ovens do not have ventalation in them and thus the smell goes through the cabin as does the aroma of the cookies and other foods being cooked.

I know what you're talking about. I was actually thinking about that smell last week. It has to be from the ovens.

Is it on the RJ's as well?

Buttery Smell
 

I know exactly the smell people are talking about. I think it's leftover oil/grease from the ovens. It's a distinct smell found only on CO flights.

Its prob the smell of the sodium and transfats warming up :-p

In my best FCOTSTY voice:

it is the cheese.