Another QF catering fail

[juddles]

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.

I totally agree with the concept that these offerings are forced on the airline by competition, and that it is not out of "the good of their heart". A special meal is a higher cost that the airline is forced to offer to stay abreast of competitors.

 

[dfcatch]

Seriously Cory?? WTF?? I really hope you're just having a lend.

Meat in a Vego meal is indeed a VERY SERIOUS matter - for whatever the reason.

It matters not whether the reason is allergy, religious, taste, colour, phase of the moon, or what side of the bed the passenger woke up on.

If they ordered a certain meal, it is incumbent on the airline to supply it.

Is it the end of the world if QF forgot to load it, for a 1 hour flight - of course not. But it's still a customer service failure, especially when it's a repeated failure.

Putting meat products into a "specified vegetarian meal" is indeed a VERY SERIOUS failure.

The only legitimate issue your comment has raised (by Juddles, not by you) was the question about catering for so many tastes.

Personally I think it's a bit ridiculous the volume of choices available - BUT - it's the airline's choice to offer it. That's a market economy.

If I have specific tastes/requirements and they don't offer it, then of course I take responsibility for self-catering.

If they offer a choice that is suitable - then I expect them to provide it, AND I expect that the offering will match what they've stated it is.​

 

[opusman]

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.

I think we get that you don't hold much respect for vegetarians. I have an opinion about people with self-imposed dietary restrictions myself (including people who say "oh I don't do X" where X is some perfectly harmless food stuff), but I can also respect someone's right to avoid eating certain foods if that's what they want to do. So no it's not serious in that no one will die in this situation, but it would still be upsetting to the individual in question.

And as JessicaTam points out, being able to select your meal is a part of the product that QF offer, so in this instance her diet is really not what's at issue in this thread, but QF's inability to deliver the product they advertise and sell.

 

[straitman]

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 cannot believe you are actually complaining about this complaint, talk about spoilt.

Catering is a big issue for the airlines for several reasons and they go to great lengths to ensure that they get it right. IF they get it wrong and no one says anything how will they fix the issue?

As mentioned by others the airlines use catering as a bait or attraction piece. It does not matter if the flight is one hour or 20 hours the same issues apply. If an individual has dietary issues and food is mislabelled then think of the consequences. (Have you?) You can't just call 000, you need to find an alternate landing place and offload them. Then the fun starts as you have an a/c and passengers in the wrong location and the schedule and crew hours are blown to hell. A major inconvenience if flying SYD-MEL but if you are half way along a 16hr leg it is a major problem for everyone at all levels. (Also very expensive)

In this case from the comments of others this seems to be an ongoing issue so it does need to be addressed. Sorry Mr pilot your special meal was not loaded or contains something that we say it doesn't but you can get sick as we have two pilots. Not really acceptable IMHO.

I totally agree with the concept that these offerings are forced on the airline by competition, and that it is not out of "the good of their heart". A special meal is a higher cost that the airline is forced to offer to stay abreast of competitors.

The extra cost per meal need only be minimal as there are actually quite a few 'special' meals so they are also very well scrutinised for cost and value purposes.

Meals are a significant cost to an airline and catering is an area that is very heavily controlled so there is no excuse for getting it wrong. For Qantas the increase or decrease of $0.10 per meal comes to a change of approx $3 Million pa.

 

[Red Roo]

While Customer Care will reply to the OP in more detail about their experience, I thought you may appreciate a general update about the gelatine.

Our Quality Assurance team have confirmed with Rowie’s Cakes that the type of gelatine used in their Rocky Road cake is of seaweed origin, and therefore suitable for a VGML (vegan meal).

We’re currently following up with the supplier regarding labelling of ingredients on the packaging to avoid confusion moving forward.

 

[blackcat20]

That's good news.

 

[Pushka]

That's good news.

Indeed, and that would be a good message to share with travelling folk. Many people would not like the thought of animal gelatine even without the vegetarian or religious/cultural requirements.

 

[MelUser]

A few observations:

(1) I laugh here when things degenerate and the person starting the post gets attacked for expressing a view - seriously is this necessary. If you feel need to attack the poster perhaps move on. What is a gripe for one person is not for another.

(2) I request vegan vegetarian and have never on QF found it not loaded - except where I turn up at airport and request an earlier flight but that is my doing.

(3) Yes - meal requests do prevent OPups but 95% of time I'm in cabin I want to be.

 

[blackcat20]

Indeed, and that would be a good message to share with travelling folk. Many people would not like the thought of animal gelatine even without the vegetarian or religious/cultural requirements.

I'm a lolly fiend but I won't eat them if the animal is specified on the packet....

 

[opusman]

I'm a lolly fiend but I won't eat them if the animal is specified on the packet....

Good idea in places like Spain where "animal lollies" might be not what you're expecting...

 

[Pushka]

I'm a lolly fiend but I won't eat them if the animal is specified on the packet....

Oh, I never look. Maybe I don't want to in case my favourite is there....

 

[blackcat20]

Oh, I never look. Maybe I don't want to in case my favourite is there....

Doesnt tend to happen here in Aus. But a lovely friend sent me some lollies from the UK. The pork gelatin label saw me toss them in the bin...

 

[rainbowgirl]

I'm not sure if this is on topic or off topic but I thought it was worth a mention.

There has been discussion in the thread of the "five" types of vegetarianism. I found this curious and worth more research. When I was in school in the 1980s we learnt about 3 types of vegetarianism, Lacto-ovo, Lacto and Vegan. Are the other two types Ovo and Raw Veganism or did the 5 mentioned include two types of semi vegetarian diets that exclude red meat but include either chicken or fish?

Wikipedia lists about 10 different varieties of vegetarian diets. I thought it would be worth figuring out exactly what we are talking about before the thread goes further.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetarianism

It's good to see Qantas and Red Roo are working on the situation and great we got the clarification on the gelatin issue. I hope the matter can be resolved soon and doesn't get repeated in the future.

 

[blackcat20]

I'm not sure if this is on topic or off topic but I thought it was worth a mention.

There has been discussion in the thread of the "five" types of vegetarianism. I found this curious and worth more research. When I was in school in the 1980s we learnt about 3 types of vegetarianism, Lacto-ovo, Lacto and Vegan. Are the other two types Ovo and Raw Veganism or did the 5 mentioned include two types of semi vegetarian diets that exclude red meat but include either chicken or fish?

Wikipedia lists about 10 different varieties of vegetarian diets. I thought it would be worth figuring out exactly what we are talking about before the thread goes further.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetarianism

It's good to see Qantas and Red Roo are working on the situation and great we got the clarification on the gelatin issue. I hope the matter can be resolved soon and doesn't get repeated in the future.

I'm not veggo, but I am intrigued by this conversation. I'm curious how people choose where to draw the line. eg gelatin bad, eggs ok etc. I toyed with vegetarianism when I was a teen as I dont like to think about eating animals, but my love of some foods won me over...we do keep meat to a minimum though where possible.

 

[Pushka]

It is an interesting question re Vegetarianism (broad meaning - no consumption of meat). For those who are strictly vegetarian does the smell of cooked meat present an issue? I know that the smell of pork is an issue for me. But I have a close Jewish friend who loves bacon.

 

[Captain hum]

I'm not veggo, but I am intrigued by this conversation. I'm curious how people choose where to draw the line. eg gelatin bad, eggs ok etc. I toyed with vegetarianism when I was a teen as I dont like to think about eating animals, but my love of some foods won me over...we do keep meat to a minimum though where possible.

I'm vegetarian and will go vegan shortly. For me its about the hideous conditions that the animals are made to suffer prior to slaughter. Especially dairy and pork . I dont eat any meat or meat /fish products now and will soon cut out all animal products. On a side note -I feel fantastic and have lost a couple of kilos without trying

 

[juddles]

I'm vegetarian and will go vegan shortly. For me its about the hideous conditions that the animals are made to suffer prior to slaughter. Especially dairy and pork . I dont eat any meat or meat /fish products now and will soon cut out all animal products. On a side note -I feel fantastic and have lost a couple of kilos without trying

Have you seen how cramped they keep those poor lettuces before they suddenly slice their heads off?

 

[Pushka]

I'm vegetarian and will go vegan shortly. For me its about the hideous conditions that the animals are made to suffer prior to slaughter. Especially dairy and pork . I dont eat any meat or meat /fish products now and will soon cut out all animal products. On a side note -I feel fantastic and have lost a couple of kilos without trying

Then does this also extend to Leather products that are worn or used?

 

[Captain hum]

Have you seen how cramped they keep those poor lettuces before they suddenly slice their heads off?

Nearly as bad as the mushrooms eh? Kept in the dark and fed on......

 

[blackcat20]

I'm vegetarian and will go vegan shortly. For me its about the hideous conditions that the animals are made to suffer prior to slaughter. Especially dairy and pork . I dont eat any meat or meat /fish products now and will soon cut out all animal products. On a side note -I feel fantastic and have lost a couple of kilos without trying

Which is exactly why I tried vegetarianism but it just wasnt a good lifestyle for me.

What about wine that is strained through fish bladder...does that cause an issue for some veggos?