If you pay tens of thousands of dollars and are given last choice over someone who was op-up'd, it's not stupid.

Just curious how do LH/LX, SQ, and other true globally leading airlines do it?

(IME, they take orders from front to back. Maybe they do some back-room galley math that's been completely transparent to me.)

It is consistent, effecient, and simple. Also for those "in the know" who fly regularly if meals are important to them they know which seats to pick. Also by keeping the policy simple (CO & AA) less chance of mistakes, and it is quick & efficient.

I have no idea which policy will survive but no matter the decision UACO will field plenty of complaints. Also for the record I much prefer UA's boarding scheme after trying it some (with the addition of military), so its not all CO policies I prefer.

Back-to-front, front-to-back, elite status, fare paid..... none of these are perfect.

What's stupid is not being consistent. That's what pisses people off.

If order taking was consistent and I knew what it would be, I could set my expectations (and possibly seat selection) appropriately.

How does CO prioritize on two isle aircraft (eg ghetto bird)?

While I disagree with your 10s of thousands of dollars opinion, I fully agree with the latter, think of it as a good thing that you will be getting food later, more minutes of living! ;) :p

Agreed.

Ok, but that's the part I'm disagreeing with. AA's F-E-B-O* method isn't simple, starting from the front every time is. And I'm not necessarily disputing that CO's method may be simpler than UA's, but as a UA 1K, I prefer it by status. As it turns out, not everyone up front is equal, but clearly CO's method reflects their more egalitarian methodology.


(* for those who aren't aware, this means front-to-back on even numbered flights, and back-to-front on odd numbered flights)

On a recent CO flight from SFO-IAH (paid "Z" fare -- Orlando was final destination), I was in Row 5 of a 737-900. When the FA made it back to my row he said that all he had left was the fruit and cereal. He was out of the hot breakfast. I purposely did not get something to eat at SFO or on my way to the airport because I mistakenly assumed that I would get a hot breakfast. Cereal does not sit well with me because of lactose intolerance.

I nicely told him that I would prefer the hot breakfast, and he replied nicely, but in a firm tone, that he did not have any hot breakfasts left. I just looked him in the eye and said, "I'll have the hot breakfast." He offered to get me something from the B on B menu and I again said, "I'll have the hot breakfast." He told me that he could not comply with my request. I followed him up to the front of the plane and quietly told him and the purser that while I understood their situation, someone (like me) who paid for a Biz ticket should get his/her first meal choice. I told them that if I had been upgraded from a coach fare, then I would (and have) not have complained.

Magically, a hot breakfast was delivered to my seat, and I profusely thanked the FA for his consideration. The omlette was pretty good. I wasn't rude and didn't raise my voice, but given that I paid a a Biz class fare, I felt the need to speak up.

On the way home I was on UA through DEN. The DEN-SFO leg had a lunch service. I was in 6A. When the FA started to take lunch orders (pasta or turkey sandwich), he asked me first. After I gave him my order, my seatmate started to state his order and the FA told him to "hold on, I'll be back in a minute," and then started moving about the cabin to get other orders based on, I assume, fare and status. BTW -- ordered the turkey sandwich and it was horrendous.)

Perfect case of where UA's (old) method works better.

I vote for the UA way with CO meals. I've always enjoyed CO meals in F.

Then again, why would they listen?

:)

I was on a p.s. flight recently from JFK to LAX and was in F. Noticed the FA taking orders in a haphazard fashion. I assume she was doing it by status but actually went person to person in that order.

That was a bit odd to me as I'm used to it being done in rows and then they sort it out in the galley - which invites less questions/comments IMHO.

Also - I'm ridiculously lactose intolerant so I always carry Lactaid pills with me when I travel as airplane food seems to be laden with dairy. I keep some in all my various travel bags and always make sure there are some in my Bose headphone case - would hate to miss the sundae! :p

@thumbun Wow, so you did a DYKWIA and demanded that CO violate their policy on the way out. And on the way back, you are celebrating that UA violated their own policy - they are NOT supposed to do the rude "status hop" but are supposed to take order F-B, then prioritize by status in the galley.

:td:

UA has historically been way too status-conscious to the extent of having an overly granular caste system. If you're high-caste, that's great. If you're anything but, you can easily feel like the airline is deliberately slighting you. You see in, well saw it, in Premier Lobbies with multiple different confusing lines for different levels of elites, Red Carpet boarding only for Top-Spend & 1K elites, with up to 9 different boarding zones when GAs go nuts on 3-cabin flights. This serves to make GS/1K feel "special" but can really annoy and confuse everybody else, including 25-99K fliers, who get treated far better at AS, AA, DL, and yes, at PMCO.

CO is bringing some sanity to this.

(former 1K, former CO Plat, BTW)

I am ridiculousness lactose intolerant as well but the pills don't work (tried many forms of it). If the they don't have non-lactose option available (which I haven't encountered yet), then i'll happily take the food. It's just that everyone ELSE should watch out cause its gonna be a smelly flight :).