flyfd

I always got my meal choice. What's interesting is that in about 50% of the cases I am not even asked for a second choice . Some FA play the game very wel...

dorisrpas

This happened to me recently ORD-TPA. Except I was in 4F. FA leaned over the guy sitting in the aisle and said to me, she wanted to make sure I got my first choice. She explained the choices, answered my question about cilantro, took my order and went to row one to take everyone else's order in row order.

On another flight on E170 a family of 4 wanted to sit together on the C/D side and asked the guy in 1D and me in 2C if we'd mind taking 1A and 2A. Good trade After the shuffle and once the rest of the plane had boarded, I discreetly went to galley and mentioned the seat swap and that I was 1K now in 2A if that mattered for meal choice. Apparently it did as she again took my order first, then Mr Now 1A, and then the family.

Sometimes, they do try

bldr1k

I was flying from LAX to DEN this morning and originally had 4B and then switched to the window to let a couple sit together.

The FA came to me first and asked what my meal choice was, and said since I was in the back she wanted to be sure I got my first choice. She was super nice to me.

diburning

BOS-ORD today on a 739. 20 pax in the F cabin. Choices were scrambled eggs or oatmeal. Two pax did not want a meal. Everyone else chose scrambled eggs. Do they load 20 portions of scrambled eggs onto this flight?

cfischer

no

diburning

Everyone received scrambled eggs. So, would the other 2 pax have been stuck with oatmeal?

flyerCO

I've been told that the FAs can include information in their paperwork to suggest a change in the number of each item loaded. UA then tries to determine based on these remarks if they need to alter the number of each item loaded. Some markets prefer the cereal/oatmeal while (I'd say a majority) prefer the egg. From what the FAs I've talked to say, it can vary widely through the year, thus they report on it to try and keep it in line with what passengers want. Not perfect since there's a lag, and no guarantee that the flight they change it on will prefer the change.

I know with pmCO, that a number of lead FAs who flew certain routes with regularity would be allowed to call in and alter the number of each item loaded for those routes. Since they flew the route with regularity they where assumed to be in a position to know how best to balance the meal choice load.

LordTentacle

Just as a data point
For me the consistency has been 100% for the last year
I have had 8 Flights in J ex/to SYD in the last 6 months
Every single time, Purser comes through the cabin in a normal ordered fashion (front to back without skipping) introduces themselves and asks for first and second, anyone who is a 1k/GS gets a nice "I've noticed your status today thank you for flying with us again" and moves on, Always get my first choice

dank0014

Earlier this week, wasn't followed on one flight (went front to back and didn't prioritize at all) and at de boarding mentioned to him (FA) to which response was it is no longer policy.

Sent a note in inquiring about this policy change and received a response within 2 hours with a $150 travel cert and confirmation procedures have not changed.

Mama

Did you dare to get the name of the FA and report him to United management? I think not.

1kBill

Was this an sUA or sCO crew? And is that of any significance anymore?

I was on a 787 LAX-HOU two weeks ago (so I assume an sCO crew) and I think the FA's just went down the aisles asking for meal choices (chicken pot pie or some sort of chicken salad). I was in the very last row so if there was any sorting, it was done in the galley. There were 5 of us traveling together and we all got our first choice even though I was the only one with status.

dank0014

Why assume, if you must know I did provide the name when I sent in my note and asked them to clarify if the procedures have changed and if not requested they properly train the employee. They offered the travel cert on their own

HeadInTheClouds

I don't know how one can argue that it's not significant. Last week had a flight where I, a GS, on a sCO LatAm IAH- flight, and as the ONLY one in the cabin who had a paid fare and wasn't an upgrade out of the 16 seats (as evidenced from the app), didn't get my meal choice. In fact myself and the gentleman next to me were the ONLY ones who didn't get a choice.

I have a personal seating preference for the last row of the premium cabin, so I get to see this issue play out first hand on almost every flight. sCO crews are about 25% at getting the procedure right and giving me a choice. sUA crews are probably around 90%. My favorite was the sCO FA who blocked me from even PURCHASING a coach meal after I walked back there to buy one after I had been denied my meal choice up front. The FA in the back was happy to get it for me but then he intervened and told me that "those are for coach passengers", even after I reiterated "so you won't even let me BUY a sandwich?" and he said "yes, that's correct." I just said "wow" and then didn't ask for so much as a glass of water from him for the entire flight.

I don't write letters and complain, that's just not my nature. But I sure as heck get frustrated about it. It makes me mark "angry" on the survey for my post-flight emotional reaction far too often. And much as I'd like to not focus on it, the sCO-sUA factor is huge on this particular issue.

physioprof

Just out of curiosity, why?

HeadInTheClouds

Weird idiosyncrasy of mine. I like having a wall behind me vs. someone else looking over my shoulder. I like being able to see the whole cabin during the flight & if anyone is up getting ready to use the bathroom before I get up. Etc. etc. blah blah weird stuff of my own. But it does leave me in a position where I have extensive experience and a great perspective on how the meal prioritization system plays out in the cabin before it gets to me.