Hard to believe that many GS's on one flight.

Ok full F, no corp. discount..I am an individual and fly as an individual...there is no discount of any kind involved...I paid top $$$$ period.

And again..between the Asian business persons and the energy corp. guys...7 of 8 were GS..I asked them all personally and the FA in the back confirmed this....I talk to FA's a lot and in general am very sympathetic to their plight as I have done the homework.....but rude is rude...no excuses there! I am not a shy man!

Kudos to the poster who suggested advance meal reservations for those who book into F (or C) in advance, whether using miles or paid tickets -- that idea is long overdue! This way, only those who upgrade at the gate or purchase at the last minute would not have an advance reservation, and would have to divide up the remaining, non-selected meals.

After all, wedding invitations commonly come with an RSVP form that asks for one's choice of meat or salmon (or whatever) at the wedding reception and/or rehearsal dinner. Caterers like this, as it maximizes personal choice while minimizing waste and leftovers. So why not the airlines?

Agreed. That would be my fear as well.

I also have mixed feelings on trumping status based on fare class. One one hand, that one guy that trumps an upgrader might be that once a year flyer who happened to pay 4 digits to get premium service that day. On the other hand, the upgrader likely spent well in excess of 5 digits over the course of the year for the privlege to sit in C or F. Which customer is actually more valuable to United?

Perhaps a couple of employees "accidentally" included in that group.

Well I can believe 7/8 UGS on this flight in F. Monday morning flight after all.

For the record, I would have no problem with paid (including award) F getting meal choice before upgraders, regardless of status. I'm not flying in F for the culinary experience, and do think that the "trip of a lifetime" pax, or regular F pax deserve their choice of food. I can't imagine creating a scene if I didn't get my choice of food on an upgrade (other than knowing thats not the current procedure). FWIW I routinely offer to take whats left.

i'll be in first on that flight this morning with mr kk on our way to asia--love those swu's--will see if i can sneak a peek at the manifest or chat up a friendly fa and report back.

(mr kk is a 1p, so we know at least one person in first won't be ugs/1k.)

Honestly, I think the best serving order is UGS members first, followed by taking orders straight from front -> rear or vv.

By Fare class is just silly, let's give the FA's another reason to be rude?
You want a choice? Order a special meal in advance, most are very good.
I prefer the Kosher meal or Halal. If you a vegetarian you have a few options.

UA should just load more food so that they can in most cases satisfy all meal requests.

SmilingBoy.

In an industry where cutting a small pack of pretzels seems to make all the difference, I highly doubt this will happen for some reason.;)

I've always thought that meal choices by status alone is bad approach. IMO, it should be very simple:

* If you have "paid" for F, that is, F/A/P/C/D/Z or award (std/saver) then you should get priority over the upgraders.
* If you have paid for Y and upgraded, then you get second choice.
* Non rev/UA employees deadheading or whatever. You get last choice.

Within each bracket, going by status isn't a bad thing though. I think it is silly that a 1K on an upgraded L-fare gets priority over someone with no status who bought a walk up F ticket. The 1K probably doesn't even cover the marginal costs on that flight...

Jeez, and I was worried that UA was turning into the peasant bus ride. :rolleyes:

UA imitating SQ and offering BTC? Hah! I don't think so.

Yeah, simple idea. Most world class airlines do this--UA is no longer a part of that club and hasn't been for a long time. :(