Another QF catering fail

[JessicaTam]

Good to hear that they can get it right. But that just raises the question of why it keeps happening to JT

Maybe they don't know who I am!

True, but Kosher gelatin isn't going to make the ice-cream Kosher. Under Halal I think it's ok. Anyway, I'm vegetarian like the OP and always hunt for gelatin-free yoghurt & dairy. A number of times I've been offered a sample or dish to be told "But it's Halal / Kosher gelatin!" Not the point (for us) ...

I should say that I am not vegetarian, however the only meat I eat is poultry. But I often order vegetarian to avoid confusion. I don't eat any red meat or pork hence why I know to avoid gelatin.

 

[smarty11]

Off topic
JessicaTam, a quick question for you.. have your ever recieved an op-up when you have had a special meal request?
I used to request AVML as my dietary preferences are similar to yours, but very rarely get an Op-up. Infact a couple of times I know some WP (once even SG) scored an Op-up but I was overlooked..
Theory is that if there is a special meal requested then system 'owngrades' for Op-up consieration...
Curious to know what has your experience been.

cheers

 

[Pushka]

Off topic
JessicaTam, a quick question for you.. have your ever recieved an op-up when you have had a special meal request?
cheers

We are talking about Qantas here. Op-up? Ya dreamin.

 

[cory]

Cannot beileve the thus being made over this. If you're diet has such restrictions surely you can go without a meal in the short flight time. Admittedly they are you're points and you can choose how to use them, in this case an upgrade. But I cannot believe people actually complain about this, talk about spoilt.

QF cater for thousands of passengers a day with dietry needs occasionaly they will get it wrong as its humans who are working for them. Just remember that.

 

[smarty11]

Cannot beileve the thus being made over this. If you're diet has such restrictions surely you can go without a meal in the short flight time. Admittedly they are you're points and you can choose how to use them, in this case an upgrade. But I cannot believe people actually complain about this, talk about spoilt.

QF cater for thousands of passengers a day with dietry needs occasionaly they will get it wrong as its humans who are working for them. Just remember that.

There are thousands of flights everyday across the globe, so by your logic it's ok if every now and then a few crash due to human error.. as "its humans who are working for them.."... the airlines should stop spending billions that they do on security and regulatory bodies on compliance..

 

[juddles]

Cannot beileve the thus being made over this. If you're diet has such restrictions surely you can go without a meal in the short flight time. Admittedly they are you're points and you can choose how to use them, in this case an upgrade. But I cannot believe people actually complain about this, talk about spoilt.

QF cater for thousands of passengers a day with dietry needs occasionaly they will get it wrong as its humans who are working for them. Just remember that.

Although cory was a bit stark, I sort of share a similar view. These days there are people with ever-increasing demands for specialized catering. Even if they don't get it perfect (gelatin), they attempt to satisfy these demands. Apart from the kiddies and infant menus, they also attempt to cater for Hindus, Kosher, halal, gluten-intolerant, diabetic, and no fewer than 5, yes FIVE, types of vegetarian. So even if you think it is OK to kill an unborn egg but not a live chicken, they try to cater for you.

And they even have an option of a simple fruit platter!!!

Seriously, the day I decide that lettuce are our soulmates and should not be food, I would not dream of expecting an airline to have to cater for that.

They failed on what the ideal service delivery should have been as per what they advertise, but would I lose sleep over it or waste my time complaining?

No.

 

[cory]

There are thousands of flights everyday across the globe, so by your logic it's ok if every now and then a few crash due to human error.. as "its humans who are working for them.."... the airlines should stop spending billions that they do on security and regulatory bodies on compliance..

Your logic is comparing highly skilled commercial pilots, with people involved in the catering fields (no disrespect at all meant here, but they have very different responsibilities). Why not compare apples to oranges?

It's NOT ok to have a few crashes caused by human error, this has been largely negated through the planes control systems also. But it still happens and is an accepted risk. You can reduce you're risk by flying commercial airlines rather than small private operations in 3rd world countries.

It's NOT ok to stock the wrong food, but it happens. If you have food intolerances/preferences, in a short 1 hour flight you can simply wait til you reach your destination to avoid having this issue.

It's also NOT ok to pinch $20 that I might accidently leave on my car seat, but it still happens. I can reduce the risk of this happening by not putting it there.

Get what I'm saying?

 

[Borisdog]

There are thousands of flights everyday across the globe, so by your logic it's ok if every now and then a few crash due to human error.. as "its humans who are working for them.."... the airlines should stop spending billions that they do on security and regulatory bodies on compliance..

Drawing a slightly long bow with cory's logic there aren't you.

 

[juddles]

There are thousands of flights everyday across the globe, so by your logic it's ok if every now and then a few crash due to human error.. as "its humans who are working for them.."... the airlines should stop spending billions that they do on security and regulatory bodies on compliance..

Actually, they do.

But cory was talking about people with hyper-specific food desires, not the safety of actually not dying on the flight. Unfair and illogical comparison.

 

[cory]

Although cory was a bit stark, I sort of share a similar view. These days there are people with ever-increasing demands for specialized catering. Even if they don't get it perfect (gelatin), they attempt to satisfy these demands. Apart from the kiddies and infant menus, they also attempt to cater for Hindus, Kosher, halal, gluten-intolerant, diabetic, and no fewer than 5, yes FIVE, types of vegetarian. So even if you think it is OK to kill an unborn egg but not a live chicken, they try to cater for you.

And they even have an option of a simple fruit platter!!!

Seriously, the day I decide that lettuce are our soulmates and should not be food, I would not dream of expecting an airline to have to cater for that.

They failed on what the ideal service delivery should have been as per what they advertise, but would I lose sleep over it or waste my time complaining?

No.

I think Juddles has hit the nail on the head.

 

[TomVexille]

Cannot beileve the thus being made over this. If you're diet has such restrictions surely you can go without a meal in the short flight time. Admittedly they are you're points and you can choose how to use them, in this case an upgrade. But I cannot believe people actually complain about this, talk about spoilt.

QF cater for thousands of passengers a day with dietry needs occasionaly they will get it wrong as its humans who are working for them. Just remember that.

I actually don't think the issue here is the gelatin in a vegetarian meal, but the repeated failure to load a AVML on JessicaTam's Business flights. Sure, mistakes happen, but there shouldn't be repeated mistakes in J. Also QF like to advertise that you get a meal on every flight, so they haven't provided the advertised product.

I know JT and she isn't the type to complain about little things.

 

[JessicaTam]

Off topic
JessicaTam, a quick question for you.. have your ever recieved an op-up when you have had a special meal request?
I used to request AVML as my dietary preferences are similar to yours, but very rarely get an Op-up. Infact a couple of times I know some WP (once even SG) scored an Op-up but I was overlooked..
Theory is that if there is a special meal requested then system 'owngrades' for Op-up consieration...
Curious to know what has your experience been.

cheers

My op-ups are few and far between. Catering has not been an issue, that I am aware of.

OTOH, I have had a number of flights with EK and not had an op-up as opposed to others who seem to have a great strike rate. I removed my dietary preference on my last return trip but it made no difference.

 

[JessicaTam]

Cannot beileve the thus being made over this. If you're diet has such restrictions surely you can go without a meal in the short flight time. Admittedly they are you're points and you can choose how to use them, in this case an upgrade. But I cannot believe people actually complain about this, talk about spoilt.

QF cater for thousands of passengers a day with dietry needs occasionaly they will get it wrong as its humans who are working for them. Just remember that.

Catering is part of the J package. QF advertise the ability to select dietary requirements for anyone PS and higher. And as TomVexille pointed out, not having a meal loaded seems to happen with alarming regularity.

I actually don't think the issue here is the gelatin in a vegetarian meal, but the repeated failure to load a AVML on JessicaTam's Business flights. Sure, mistakes happen, but there shouldn't be repeated mistakes in J. Also QF like to advertise that you get a meal on every flight, so they haven't provided the advertised product.

I know JT and she isn't the type to complain about little things.

I think putting a meat based product in a vego meal is pretty serious, and I do have an issue with it. That is a mistake that no catering company should ever make.

 

[cory]

Meat in vego isn't serious unless the recipient has an allergy. But none the less the mistake shouldn't be made. If all you have to complain about is a vego meal not being loaded on a 1 hour flight, then QF aren't doing too badly.

 

[JessicaTam]

Meat in vego isn't serious unless the recipient has an allergy. But none the less the mistake shouldn't be made. If all you have to complain about is a vego meal not being loaded on a 1 hour flight, then QF aren't doing too badly.

Edit: "Meat in vego isn't serious". Are you serious?

The reason for the complaint is that it is not an isolated event. This is the fourth or fifth time this year from memory.

An update: I received the usual automatic acknowledgement of my complaint yesterday. Today I missed a call from QF Customer Care. The message left was that they have my complaint and it is being investigated. And that they will get back to me when they have something further.

 

[Deena]

It is so easy to make great vegetarian meals but sadly in both classes of flights with Qantas they just get it so wrong. Disgusting to have gelatin in your meal.

 

[Pushka]

It is so easy to make great vegetarian meals but sadly in both classes of flights with Qantas they just get it so wrong. Disgusting to have gelatin in your meal.

But really, most of the meals aren't all that great.

 

[JessicaTam]

But really, most of the meals aren't all that great.

Meals, what meals?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Although cory was a bit stark, I sort of share a similar view. These days there are people with ever-increasing demands for specialized catering. Even if they don't get it perfect (gelatin), they attempt to satisfy these demands. Apart from the kiddies and infant menus, they also attempt to cater for Hindus, Kosher, halal, gluten-intolerant, diabetic, and no fewer than 5, yes FIVE, types of vegetarian. So even if you think it is OK to kill an unborn egg but not a live chicken, they try to cater for you.

And they even have an option of a simple fruit platter!!!

Seriously, the day I decide that lettuce are our soulmates and should not be food, I would not dream of expecting an airline to have to cater for that.

They failed on what the ideal service delivery should have been as per what they advertise, but would I lose sleep over it or waste my time complaining?

No.

That's called competition!

An airline advertises celebrity chefs, restaurant quality meals, and special meals not because it is doing so out of the goodness of its heart, but because it wants your business. They not only want your cash, but have also included the cost of the special meal in your fare.

This is not a generous gift.

So if they advertise five types of vegetarian, it is not unreasonable for the passenger to expect what they have paid for.

While most of the 'business class' meals (see relevant AFF thread) look like they could be prepared for $2-$3 each - airline spin will put the price much higher. And when you're paying the same price for a one hour flight domestic business class as you would for a 21-hour flight on Qantas economy to London (with no less than 3 main meals, hot snacks, refreshments and continuous alcohol), I think it's fair to get what is advertised and paid for.

 

[jackthomas]

I agree that sometime there are a few too many special meal options, however this is the world we live in..
Many airlines have it right by offering only a vegan meal for all vegetarians, a gluten free etc etc.

Until QF (or any full service carrier) starts giving fare discounts for people requiring a special meal (and not getting one) then everyone deserves a meal to the same standard... We are after all mostly paying the same (or more) than others.