FA confusion between vegan and vegetarian concerning buy on board food
Dec 6, 2015, 12:24 pm
#1
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FA confusion between vegan and vegetarian concerning buy on board food
Last month on a flight from SJO to EWR I inquired to purchase a snack. I was in the first row of economy. The menu pages had been torn from my in-flight magazine. I told the FA that I needed something vegan. She handed me a menu. She said i could have anything marked with a "V". However the symbol "V" indicates vegetarian, i told her. She told me vegan and vegetarian are the same.
I then asked to purchase a pack of the trail mix. She told me it had already sold out.
Since I was her third customer I find this hard to believe.
I then asked to purchase a pack of the trail mix. She told me it had already sold out.
Since I was her third customer I find this hard to believe.
Last edited by Orion; Dec 6, 2015 at 12:26 pm Reason: Typo
Dec 6, 2015, 12:29 pm
#2
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Misconception of the difference between vegetarian and vegan is pretty common.
Also, I believe the SJO flight is double catered from EWR, so it's quite possible that all of the trail mix were sold out on the inbound flight.
Nonetheless, you should write in to customer service so feedback is provided.
Also, I believe the SJO flight is double catered from EWR, so it's quite possible that all of the trail mix were sold out on the inbound flight.
Nonetheless, you should write in to customer service so feedback is provided.
Dec 6, 2015, 12:53 pm
#3
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IMO if your dietary requirements are rather specific and concerning you are probably better off being proactive and carrying your own vittles on board. The same advice has been given on FT many times to the kosher folks (or anyone else with special dietary restrictions) who occasionally find themselves in a similar situation.
SL
SL
Dec 6, 2015, 2:08 pm
#4
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Personally, the fact they have any vegetarian items, much less vegan, is a big improvement from the past.
FWIW, the more specific your dietary requirements, the more important it is to carry on your own food IMHO.
FWIW, the more specific your dietary requirements, the more important it is to carry on your own food IMHO.
Dec 7, 2015, 7:14 pm
#6
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This was a FA not a dietician. No reason for the FA to understand the fine nuances of the V's.
If you have special food needs of any kind, you should travel with food that suits your needs.
If you have special food needs of any kind, you should travel with food that suits your needs.
Dec 7, 2015, 8:35 pm
#8
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Doesn't Vegetarian you eat animal products but not meat. By that I mean eggs , cream , honey etc. And Vegan you do not eat ANYTHING from an animal so honey is not okay. ?
But even if I am very wrong. Why didn't the FA simply ask what do you like to eat and what you cannot eat? Being proactive is necessary in any service business. But in honesty you could have pre ordered a meal brought you own meal etc.
But even if I am very wrong. Why didn't the FA simply ask what do you like to eat and what you cannot eat? Being proactive is necessary in any service business. But in honesty you could have pre ordered a meal brought you own meal etc.
Dec 7, 2015, 8:42 pm
#9
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Last month on a flight from SJO to EWR I inquired to purchase a snack. I was in the first row of economy. The menu pages had been torn from my in-flight magazine. I told the FA that I needed something vegan. She handed me a menu. She said i could have anything marked with a "V". However the symbol "V" indicates vegetarian, i told her. She told me vegan and vegetarian are the same.
I then asked to purchase a pack of the trail mix. She told me it had already sold out.
Since I was her third customer I find this hard to believe.
I then asked to purchase a pack of the trail mix. She told me it had already sold out.
Since I was her third customer I find this hard to believe.
Dec 7, 2015, 10:12 pm
#11
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Do you expect the checkout person at the supermarket to know the ingredients in everything they sell, too?
Dec 7, 2015, 10:33 pm
#12
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Even if the FA asked, what could he/she have done? It is not like there is a full kitchen with a chef that can cook to order or specially prepared a meal based on customer's request. I doubt FAs know the detailed ingredients of the pre-packaged meal to the level of OP's expectation.
Dec 7, 2015, 10:47 pm
#13
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Even if the FA asked, what could he/she have done? It is not like there is a full kitchen with a chef that can cook to order or specially prepared a meal based on customer's request. I doubt FAs know the detailed ingredients of the pre-packaged meal to the level of OP's expectation.
I did not even think of that
Dec 7, 2015, 11:04 pm
#14
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Customer service is not there to support the product and explain. They are there to take care of your issues which excludes teaching you about an product, etc.
Dec 7, 2015, 11:44 pm
#15
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Let's try this again: if you have special dietary needs, bring your own grub. Then you don't have to depend on the culinary IQ of a flight attendant who has more pressing duties than catering to the special end of the bell curve.