Is business "lunch" no more on short haul? [All day Snack offering?]

[opusman]

When I did the OLCI we were only passengers in J.

No, you were the only passengers in J to have checked-in so far. You have no idea how many people were already ticketed in J - they simply didn't have assigned seats yet.

 

[Danger]

Just prior to landing the CSM handed the wife a handwritten card apologizing for the lack of meals onboard and gave her 2 lounge passes and a 5,000 frequent flyer points credit! (Very impressive gesture)

Wow. I think it would be great if CSMs are empowered to provide compensation on the spot. They're the ones who see the issue first hand and would, more often than not, be in a better position than customer service a month down the track.

 

[JessicaTam]

At least that CSM made an attempt to placate. Probably just as embarrassed as the passengers. Also, I saw the chicken salad on a flight last weekend and it looked pretty limp.

I wonder if the cabin crew would even know if there were any queue jumpers and that you could have been offered your choice of meal before them? Does the passenger manifest show that sort of detail?

With a last minute op-up, or ATG points upgrade, the BP should state 'Catering not assured'. I have had this in the past.

One would hope that this is reflected on the passenger manifest so the FA could serve those who were early J pax first.

 

[RooFlyer]

gotta love the 'ol "I don't like fish " thing....I bet if they offered prawns/smoked salmon/caviar/lobster...they would partake!!! this is why very few airlines offer a 'special seafood' meal..pax think they will receive something 'posh'!! and are disappointed when they receive fish!! lol

If some-one doesn't like 'fish', aren't prawns and lobster and arguably, 'caviar' good 'non fish' alternatives? But if they have an allergy to crustaceans (pretty common), you would lose your bet with the first two.

 

[Ewing]

The CSM stated that the 4 people in row 1 had taken the only 4 chicken salad meals that catering had placed onboard. She tole him she did not want it and to take it away.

Your wife isn't missing anything by not having the chicken salad meal - it's disgusting. I took one bite and sent it away.

The fish pie (if like me you like fish) is actually fantastic.

 

[JessicaTam]

gotta love the 'ol "I don't like fish " thing....I bet if they offered prawns/smoked salmon/caviar/lobster...they would partake!!! this is why very few airlines offer a 'special seafood' meal..pax think they will receive something 'posh'!! and are disappointed when they receive fish!! lol

Fairly short sighted view. I don't eat any seafood and would refuse anything you have listed above. I am sure I am not alone.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I don't eat fish but I eat prawns and scallops. Weird maybe. I also don't like caviar or salmon (Smoked or otherwise).

Anyway sounds like things with domestic J catering has fallen to an all time low. I hope people are (politely) informing their cabin crew of their displeasure. Then following it up with written email complaints.

 

[Clivem]

Where is Luke Mangan when you need him ????????

 

[roncritch]

No, you were the only passengers in J to have checked-in so far. You have no idea how many people were already ticketed in J - they simply didn't have assigned seats yet.

Actually I had checked seat availability on the site and it showed 9 J available. When in line waiting, I heard 4 of the op-ups get their 'beeps' sand they waited at the check in whilst new boarding passes were issued. I also heard their quips with their workmates as they boarded and so, yes I did have some idea.

Whether my wife likes fish or not is not the issue, (and frankly don;t understand the :"old I don't like fish comment", it was a nice fish pie which I enjoyed and my wife would not have!) , the issue is what is happening to catering in business, or in fact in all classes with Qantas. (From another thread...no hot towels either.)

And yes, it was really great that the CSM had the authority and the initiative to personally write a note to my wife and was able to give compensation)

 

[lovestotravel]

Pretty sure over the Xmas period last year QF enhanced the meal service as well.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ogram/meal-changes-for-qf-catering-46411.html

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....r-program/qf-dom-y-dinner-enhanced-46075.html

Unless it's "Is there a McDonalds in the arrival terminal?" (Lol) I wouldn't grief the poor FAs. They have to serve it, but didn't have any say in catering (read cost-counting) *enhancements*. A nice meal on short-haul is always a + but I'm aware that I can always get something elsewhere shortly if I'm hungry (now, with regards to International catering, alternatives are a little hard when 7+ hours locked on a/c).

Intend to stop by Cafe Vue (for meal box) before long-haul check-in, just to cover bases.

A meal on a J flight is expected

Most people (here) have lounge access so stopping by Cafe Vue is not an option, plus a moot point when flying J/F etc

 

[mannej]

Anyhow, we had chosen row 2 as our preferred seat. When I did the OLCI we were only passengers in J. When meals were served the CSM leant over and placed a fish pie meal in front of wife who had to ask what it was. Upon hearing, she does not like fish, she asked for an alternative. The CSM stated that the 4 people in row 1 had taken the only 4 chicken salad meals that catering had placed onboard. She tole him she did not want it and to take it away.
Now the questions I pose are: Seeing how we were the only paying passengers in J, wouldn't it have been prudent to ask us first with a choice? or the fact that the 4 op-ups in row 1 were probably platinums and therefore of a higher status negate our expected choice of meal? (we were also in U class having taken advantage of a JASA!)

As you were the only ones to use OLCI, it doesn't mean that you were the only paying J customers on that particular flight. Believe it or not there are passengers who wait until check-in to get their seats assigned. So with this in mind, you may need to alter your view with the evidence available. It may have been the case but you don't have enough information to suggest either way.

With this topic in mind, I can swear that we were discussing this exact same topic this time last year. I can remember the same topic of catering over the Christmas period and the declining standards. Hopefully there is enough feedback for QF to not make mistakes catering wise.

 

[lovestotravel]

With this topic in mind, I can swear that we were discussing this exact same topic this time last year. I can remember the same topic of catering over the Christmas period and the declining standards. Hopefully there is enough feedback for QF to not make mistakes catering wise.

Yep as above, QF did this last year!

 

[Robbi]

Pretty sure over the Xmas period last year QF enhanced the meal service as well.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ogram/meal-changes-for-qf-catering-46411.html

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....r-program/qf-dom-y-dinner-enhanced-46075.html





A meal on a J flight is expected

Most people (here) have lounge access so stopping by Cafe Vue is not an option, plus a moot point when flying J/F etc

Why does lounge access preclude stopping at a cafe?

 

[muppet]

Actually I had checked seat availability on the site and it showed 9 J available. When in line waiting, I heard 4 of the op-ups get their 'beeps' sand they waited at the check in whilst new boarding passes were issued. I also heard their quips with their workmates as they boarded and so, yes I did have some idea.

Whether my wife likes fish or not is not the issue, (and frankly don;t understand the :"old I don't like fish comment", it was a nice fish pie which I enjoyed and my wife would not have!) , the issue is what is happening to catering in business, or in fact in all classes with Qantas. (From another thread...no hot towels either.)

And yes, it was really great that the CSM had the authority and the initiative to personally write a note to my wife and was able to give compensation)

No idea why this happened.

I recieved an op up CBR - MEL right before xmas and was politely told they'd serve me after other customers. Was op up'd to 1A.

 

[lovestotravel]

Why does lounge access preclude stopping at a cafe?

If you are in a decent lounge, there is no need to bother

Of course if you are flying Virgin domestic apart from the beer you are better off eating in a cafe