Special Meal = Double Meal: Fair or Foul?
Jan 30, 2001, 9:34 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,274
Special Meal = Double Meal: Fair or Foul?
I took a "Bistro" flight yesterday. In a typical Bistro flight like this, coach passengers grab a meal bag on the gate jetway on the way on the plane. The bag will usually have a meat sandwich, snack chips, dessert cookie, small bottled water -- or similar foods in each category.
After we were airborne, the flight attendent brought a nearby passenger a kosher meal. I overheard someone ask her if she were Jewish. "No," she said, "I just knew I would be extra hungry on the flight." She then pulled out a standard bistro bag from under her seat and ate both meals.
Is this fair or foul? Don't the airlines keep track of bags for flights? If this were a full flight, wouldn'y someone be out of a meal?
------------------
He who dies with the most miles ... is dead.
[This message has been edited by ontheroad (edited 01-30-2001).]
After we were airborne, the flight attendent brought a nearby passenger a kosher meal. I overheard someone ask her if she were Jewish. "No," she said, "I just knew I would be extra hungry on the flight." She then pulled out a standard bistro bag from under her seat and ate both meals.
Is this fair or foul? Don't the airlines keep track of bags for flights? If this were a full flight, wouldn'y someone be out of a meal?
------------------
He who dies with the most miles ... is dead.
[This message has been edited by ontheroad (edited 01-30-2001).]
Jan 30, 2001, 9:50 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: T82
Programs: AA Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 2,845
I always thought there were more meals available than passengers. For instance, what if a person walked up 20 minutes before flight time and bought a ticket for that flight? I'm sure he would be served a meal.
Jan 30, 2001, 10:09 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: St Paul 02/04...not flying Delta
Posts: 2,324
If someone has the stomach to handle two of those meals, so be it. But you are right, if it is a full flight, they could have been short one meal. I have been on Bistro flight when they are trying to get meals to everyone by collecting meals from those that did not need them (e.g., special meals, for first class pax, or jump seat crew).
Jan 30, 2001, 11:20 am
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,516
Originally posted by Spider:
Ok, excuse me but what is a "bistro" flight??
Ok, excuse me but what is a "bistro" flight??
Jan 30, 2001, 12:23 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,762
Airlines try to have the exact number of meals that is needed, and no more. Sometimes when I buy a last minute ticket, my boarding pass reads, "meal service may not be available" even though it is a meal flight. This is because catering stocks only the meals it needs.
All the more so for premium cabins. This is why your choice of meal (in F) may not be available.
[This message has been edited by zrs70 (edited 01-30-2001).]
All the more so for premium cabins. This is why your choice of meal (in F) may not be available.
[This message has been edited by zrs70 (edited 01-30-2001).]
Jan 30, 2001, 2:01 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: BOS
Posts: 2,322
I've always viewed the "bistro" carts as fair game for anyone that wants multiple meals. I don't recall a sign or announcement saying "take ONE" - and the cart always seems to be loaded up with far more meals than even seats on the plane - let alone pax. Having said that, I personally have never taken more than one - nor could I imagine eating more than one!
[This message has been edited by BeantownFlyer (edited 01-30-2001).]
[This message has been edited by BeantownFlyer (edited 01-30-2001).]
Jan 30, 2001, 8:54 pm
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: I am usually found in YYC or GIG
Programs: UAL Premex
Posts: 1,858
Everybody has forgotton one thing here.......................
She received the special meal "from" the airline. No rules where broken here. There was no scam or deception either.........she simply booked it ahead of time and took her alloted preboarding bag also. Good for her for thinking ahead. I would have done the same thing as I always book special meals regardless.
She received the special meal "from" the airline. No rules where broken here. There was no scam or deception either.........she simply booked it ahead of time and took her alloted preboarding bag also. Good for her for thinking ahead. I would have done the same thing as I always book special meals regardless.