The chicken or the beef?

[abstraction]

It's a strange way to describe your meals, but this question is still asked many airlines. It makes me feel like saying:
I'm not sure. Are they cooked or raw? The beef - is there anything with it or is it just a chunk of beef?
But of course I simply ask how it's cooked - my mother did teach me manners. Yet on a few flights I've even been treated as annoying for asking that. On one Ethiopian Airline flight the only response was:
"Chicken is chicken and beef is beef."

And on a long haul American Airlines flight it went like this:
"The chicken or the beef?"
"How are they done?"Annoyed pause. Firm tone: "The chicken... or the beef?"
"Yes, but how are they cooked?"
Another annoyed pause, then in a rude tone, with very, very clear enunciation: "Baked!"
"Yes, but baked with what? I mean it could be curry or stew... with rice... or potatoes"
And then very rudely: "Do you want a meal or not?!!"

I kid you not - no exaggeration. The tone was extremely rude. I at this point (for the first time changing my own tone from extremely polite to don't screw with me) told her this was a reasonable question, some people have food allergies, and that this was the rudest treatment I'd had on any airline. No apology from her or the team leader who I asked to see. A formal written complaint resulted in a letter of apology that wasn't at all specific. But i DID learn from the first class lounge that oneworld emerald FFs are entitled to a free meal on American Airlines - after years of travelling I never knew that. Something many of the crew don't know, either, as I've even been disbelieved when I asked until they checked.

South African yesterday announced the menu and gave three choices in economy. And of course, better airlines like qantas have menus on long haul flights even in economy.

 

[milehighclub]

Beef or cow?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4N9X1QGOn0

 

[Robert K]

Why didn't you just ask if any choices contained what you were allergic to?

 

[serfty]

... But i DID learn from the first class lounge that oneworld emerald FFs are entitled to a free meal on American Airlines - after years of travelling I never knew that. Something many of the crew don't know, either, as I've even been disbelieved when I asked until they checked. ...

I am aware the EXP are entitled to 1 drink and 1 food item on a complimentary basis.

I was not aware this extended to (non AA) oneworld Emerald.

See this FT thread (it shows many crew are either not aware of this facility, or don't want to know - maybe it reduces their possible commissions):

• Free Wine drink and/or minor snack for EXP in Mainline Y - FlyerTalk Forums

 

[awilcockson]

And on a long haul American Airlines flight it went like this:
"The chicken or the beef?"
"How are they done?"Annoyed pause. Firm tone: "The chicken... or the beef?"
"Yes, but how are they cooked?"
Another annoyed pause, then in a rude tone, with very, very clear enunciation: "Baked!"
"Yes, but baked with what? I mean it could be curry or stew... with rice... or potatoes"
And then very rudely: "Do you want a meal or not?!!"

I've been meaning to start a thread about this. I'm just back from doing a full lap of the planet in whY+, QF BNE-SIN-LHR, BA LHR-DFW and QF DFW-BNE.

whY+ in QF was quite civilised, especially snagging the J seat in whY+

However the whY+ flight on BA was attrocious. Not only was it what had to be the oldest 747 still in service, but I couldn't believe it when I got the "chicken or beef?" line. My conversation went similar to the above. I mean, QF even managed to give out paper menus in economy so you have some idea of what you are choosing ... Luckily I went the beef and it was roast beef and was only half cough. If I'd taken the chicken I wouldn't have eaten it as it was covered in some creamy pesto sauce ... yuck.

 

[NM]

I mean, QF even managed to give out paper menus in economy so you have some idea of what you are choosing

Yes, I have found Qantas to be pretty good with this. On international flighst you generally get a printed menu that describes the Chicken and the Beef dishes. In that case its quite appropriate to be asked "The chicken or the beef, sir". If someone has chosen not to read the menu, then that is their problem/fault and not the crew's fault. If not printed menu, then a basic description with a little more detail than "chicken or beef" should be offered, eg "The curried chicken with rice or the stir-fried beef with vegitables?"

On domestic flights or when a printed menu has not been provided, the cabin crew usually provide a reasonable description of what to expect.

 

[abstraction]

Why didn't you just ask if any choices contained what you were allergic to?

Because I don't have food allergies. The point isn't food allergies - my point was that it's a reasonable question for all sorts of reasons. People might like chicken but dislike stews or curries or black bean sauce. There is nowhere else in the world that I can think of where you are offered food without a description of what you are eating. It's not unreasonable to ask what the food is, and beef or chicken is only an ingredient. Do you want the olive oil or the vegetable oil? The rice or the potato?...

 

[browski]

Here is the approach that I would like to see used by all airlines.

The Hostess is performing the meal service and asks the passenger "Would you like a meal, sir?"
The passenger replies, "What are my choices?".
The hostess replies "Yes or No".

 

[abstraction]

Yes, I have found Qantas to be pretty good with this. On international flighst you generally get a printed menu that describes the Chicken and the Beef dishes. In that case its quite appropriate to be asked "The chicken or the beef, sir". If someone has chosen not to read the menu, then that is their problem/fault and not the crew's fault. If not printed menu, then a basic description with a little more detail than "chicken or beef" should be offered, eg "The curried chicken with rice or the stir-fried beef with vegitables?"

On domestic flights or when a printed menu has not been provided, the cabin crew usually provide a reasonable description of what to expect.

I love qantas. I think it's a great airline, and particularly made so by the staff who work on it. I've found other great airlines like Qatar are comparable rather than particularly better. With a few exceptions of course (& more often on flights that don't connect directly with Australia) - the qantas staff are courteous, helpful, cheerful and create a great experience.

 

[snoophound]

I love qantas. I think it's a great airline, and particularly made so by the staff who work on it. I've found other great airlines like Qatar are comparable rather than particularly better. With a few exceptions of course (& more often on flights that don't connect directly with Australia) - the qantas staff are courteous, helpful, cheerful and create a great experience.

I think United take the cake

United business class has had the same call of SCALLOPS or Salmon for more than ten years!!!