[IP] more on American to end most food service
Begin forwarded message:
From: Declan McCullagh <declan@xxxxxxxx>
Date: December 21, 2004 4:53:21 PM EST
To: dave@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [IP] Re: American to end most food service
Dave,
For IP if you like.
I enjoyed bbum@xxxxxxx's complaint about airline food, responding to
this doubly-quoted news item:
The nation's largest air carrier today said it will eliminate
complimentary food service for coach customers on domestic flights
beginning Feb. 1 in a cost-cutting move that will save the struggling
airline $30 million annually. Instead, Dallas-based American will
start selling boxed meals and sandwiches priced between $3 to $5 on
domestic flights longer than three hours.
[...]
Basically, the airline loads up on a slew of pre-made "meals" from
various random Airport Concourse "restaurants". They provide a
limited menu-- 3 to 5 meals, it seems-- and you are allowed to select
from them.
> Well, you are allowed to select if you are in the first N rows.
Beyond
> that, you are pretty much left with whatever meals everyone thought
> might suck the most.
I disagree. It seems clear that American is responding to the desires
of the flying public and has taken this move to remain competitive. It
also happens to benefit the public by keeping fares lower (all else
being equal) than they would be if the food were included in the cost
of the ticket.
What's more, the food I've seen on airlines that have adopted this
policy is typically from Au Bon Pain or a similar place, and better
than what was previously included in the cost of a ticket. Plus the
"last to get fed on a plane has fewer choices" has long been the case
for traditional airline food as well, so it doesn't seem to be a valid
criticism of the shift in policy.
bbum@xxxxxxx has plenty of other options if he/she doesn't like this
situation. Other airlines' policies differ and may provide
alternatives. He/she can upgrade to first class or business class, or
drive, or take the train, or catch the bus, or get a pilot's license.
Or have a meal beforehand at home or the airport, or bring a sandwich
from a favorite deli.
Some of these options have substantial costs associated with them,
true, but they are alternatives nonetheless. Instead of bemoaning the
lack of mandatory platters of poor-quality airline food, we should be
rejoicing at the wealth of transportation choices we enjoy for what is
an amazingly cheap price by historical standards.
Complaining about the quality of airline food is about as illuminating
as complaining about the quality of the hotdog stand at the back of a
Walmart Superstore. The criticisms are correct, but that's not the
point. Fine dining is not the purpose of either outing.
-Declan
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