Missy Higgins rants about Vegetarian options on-board

[Shelf]

QF offer 13 different meal options in MMB, so the added complexity is something QF already offer. I suspect, having seem some of the dire meals served to my vegetarian daughter, that they'd be better not offering these options at all if they can't at least reach the standard of the regular Y meal. It appears that QF seem to deliver a fairly poor vegan meal regardless of the vegetarian option chosen.

The vego options are greatly reduced for Dom flights. I've not been game to order a vegan meal.

 

[JessicaTam]

The vego options are greatly reduced for Dom flights. I've not been game to order a vegan meal.

Most often the vego and vegan meal are one and the same:

Chickpeas in yellow sauce with tofu style curry and boiled white rice, or grilled vegetable sandwich on wholegrain bread. That has been what has been offered for the last two years. Or did I mention the 'two years' thing already?

 

[russ]

You could try the braised chicken slop in the SYD QF J lounge. Definitely no chicken in that.

 

[mono88]

The airlines should limit their marketing blurb to reality and not what they think people want to see and hear.

That is what advertising/marketing is all about; to get you to part with your money whether you want to or not. Why would airline advertising be any different.

 

[mannej]

That is what advertising/marketing is all about; to get you to part with your money whether you want to or not. Why would airline advertising be any different.

Fast food restaurants do it all the time don't they!

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I think sometimes the problem is people request the 'wrong' type of vegetarian meal. Whilst there are several different variants of vegie meals sometimes people request a VGML (vegan) instead of a VLML (lacto-ovo) so they're expecting to receive a meals without meal but instead receive one without any animal products at all.

I heard of a case where a pax was requesting a vegetarian meal and when asked by the airline if she wanted a vegan or lacto vegetarian meal she said "what's that"? Wouldn't a genuine vegetarian know that?

Vegetarian Meal (VGML) – VEGAN
Also known as Vegan, this meal is totally free of any animal products or by-products such as eggs or dairy products. It contains one or more of these ingredients: all types of vegetables and fresh fruit. It does NOT contain any type of meat, fish, or animal products or by-products.

Vegetarian Jain Meal (VJML) – VEGAN
This meal is for members of the Jain community who are pure vegetarians. It is prepared with a selection of Indian condiments. It contains one or more of these ingredients: fresh fruit and stem vegetables that grow above the ground. It does NOT contain: animal products and by-products, and any root vegetables such as onions, mushrooms, ginger, garlic, potatoes, carrots, beets, radishes, etc.

Vegetarian Oriental Meal (VOML) – VEGAN
This is a Vegetarian Meal (VGML) that is also prepared Chinese or Oriental-style.

Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo Meal (VLML)
This is a Vegetarian Meal that may also contain eggs and dairy products. It contains one or more of these ingredients: vegetables, fresh fruit, eggs, dairy products, and pulses. It does NOT contain any type of fish or meat.

Asian Vegetarian Meal (AVML)
This meal is available for vegetarian passengers. It is usually aromatic and spicy, and incorporates flavours from the Indian sub-continent. It contains one or more of these ingredients: all types of vegetables, fresh fruit and milk products. It does NOT contain any type of meat, fish or eggs.

Raw Vegetable Meal (RVML) – VEGAN
This meal consists exclusively of raw vegetables and salads.

Fruit Platter (FPML) – VEGAN
This meal may be ordered for dietary reasons. It may also be ordered by members of certain communities who eat only fruit while fasting. It contains one or more of these ingredients: seasonal fresh fruit. It does NOT contain canned fruit.

Airline Meal Codes for Vegetarians & Vegans « Vegan Nomad Guide


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[DrA]

I think sometimes the problem is people request the 'wrong' type of vegetarian meal. Whilst there are several different variants of vegie meals sometimes people request a VGML (vegan) instead of a VLML (lacto-ovo) so they're expecting to receive a meals without meal but instead receive one without any animal products at all.

I heard of a case where a pax was requesting a vegetarian meal and when asked by the airline if she wanted a vegan or lacto vegetarian meal she said "what's that"? Wouldn't a genuine vegetarian know that?

I think requesting the "wrong" type of vegetarian meal is probably more likely to happen with those who are vegetarian by choice, rather than medical necessity. I already knew the meal codes because I already flew a lot and had previously been getting lactose free meals, but when the doctors forced me to go strict vegan, and we were discussing my travel, they absolutely hammered it in about which meals I could order and gave me a list of what was suitable. Maybe not all doctors do this, and mine possibly only did because I'm in there several times a year getting travel vaccination boosters so already knew I flew a lot?

As for the pax you mention not knowing the difference between vegan or lacto vegetarian...Honestly, I find these people to be both a blessing and a curse.

A blessing in the context that the number of people who have to eat vegetarian or vegan for medical reasons is very small. And it used to be almost impossible to find decent food at the grocery store if you left the "fresh produce" section. On top of that, anything you could find was mindblowingly expensive. However with the number of "lifestyle" vegetarians and vegans around these days, the product range is pretty good, and prices (while still expensive) have dropped significantly. Eating out has also become mildly easier with many places now offering vegetarian options on the menu - it's still hard as a vegan, but not impossible.

The flipside of having so many "lifestyle" vegetarians and vegans is that everyone assumes you are one as well. I can't even count the number of times I've been told "oh, you can make an exception just this once, right?" when flight catering stuffs up, or a restaurant doesn't have anything suitable on the menu. Well, no actually, I can't make an exception.

 

[JohnK]

She's a celebrity, according to Missy Higgins.

I also a celebrity in my own lunchtime.

I can understand someone being upset with the vegetarian options on offer by Qantas in economy but who really cares if Missy Higgins is the one complaining?

 

[Austman]

but who really cares if Missy Higgins is the one complaining?

I call this situation "Pontificating Pop Stars".

They can pontificate on just about any issue at all - and the world (or a good part of it) actually pays attention! I really don't know why it is this way but I do know that it actually is this way. The world can be a strange place!

 

[TonyHancock]

I call this situation "Pontificating Pop Stars".

I disagree, I'm "hip and trendy"*, some might say "with it"*, hell I know who Joni Mitchell^ is. Never heard of Mister Higgins+, or whatever his/her name, so he/she can't be a pop star.

I'm still laughing at "Slithers"

*Irony
^Reinforcement of irony
+Reinforcement of reinforcement of irony

 

[JohnK]

I call this situation "Pontificating Pop Stars".

They can pontificate on just about any issue at all - and the world (or a good part of it) actually pays attention! I really don't know why it is this way but I do know that it actually is this way. The world can be a strange place!

Extremely strange place.

My complaint, as a nobody, should hold as much weight as a so-called pop star.

 

[TonyHancock]

My complaint, as a nobody, should hold as much weight as a so-called pop star.

...and my complaint as a self styled DYKWIA is that I am more important than everybody and my complaint should be heard above all others.*

*I'm particularly miffed that SMH has not deigned to take up my premium boarding woes as a major story.

 

[JohnK]

You could try the braised chicken slop in the SYD QF J lounge. Definitely no chicken in that.

There is some chicken. Not a lot but there is definitely some chicken.

That is what advertising/marketing is all about; to get you to part with your money whether you want to or not. Why would airline advertising be any different.

Repeat custom?

But obviously merketing/advertising think people today are so stupid and fall for all their gimmicks!

 

[Austman]

as a self styled DYKWIA is that I am more important than everybody and my complaint should be heard above all others

Seems like "Pontificating DYKWIAs" still have a (little) way to go? I really don't know why the world pays attention to complex global issues from someone who can (debateably sometimes) sing... but the DYKWIAs might look to them to see how it's done?

 

[k_sheep]

Back to part of the original posts, I can't believe the outcry when one woman doesn't shave her armpits, but most than 25% of men run around looking as scruffy as a stray dog and it's still considered "fashionable". And there's plenty in these forums judging by avatar photos!

You can't have it both way boys ....

 

[greenfish]

I think sometimes the problem is people request the 'wrong' type of vegetarian meal. Whilst there are several different variants of vegie meals sometimes people request a VGML (vegan) instead of a VLML (lacto-ovo) so they're expecting to receive a meals without meal but instead receive one without any animal products at all.

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Hi Ozbeachbabe, I do the ordering for my daughter and always order olo-lacto vegetarian. She has always received vegan. I think there are two issues:

1. the QF vegan meals are pretty awful

2. QF don't actually deliver all the varieties they offer, so vegetarians end up with vegan

As an aside, vegan substitution occurred on both QF domestic and international. The vegetarian meals on AY were nicer (and on EK too, but that was J class )

 

[777]

BREAKING NEWS: People on a Frequent Flyer forum apparently have a problem with people complaining about airlines.

That'll certainly quieten things around here then.

 

[Pushka]

I think that AFF is more miffed at the attitude. Many have commented negatively on the food offerings.

 

[Austman]

BREAKING NEWS: People on a Frequent Flyer forum apparently have a problem with people complaining about airlines.

That'll certainly quieten things around here then.

No problem from me but certainly an observation: Why do we pay attention to pop stars?

But if Missy can improve things then I'm all for it!

 

[DrA]

No problem from me but certainly an observation: Why do we pay attention to pop stars?

But if Missy can improve things then I'm all for it!

Exactly.

I'm not a big fan of her music, though I do know a few of her songs (and I do admit I like The Special Two)...But if she can use her "celebrity" status to bring attention to the issue? I'm all for it.