flying united...take food!

[pg.]

hi , my helpful hint of the day LOL, if you flying United airlines take food!!!
We had a 2 hour and 40 minute flight with only "beverage sevice', then connected with 4 hour and 40 miute flight that offered a "snack".
The "snack" was a package of Oreo cookies( 2), a tiny bag of chips, and mouthful size chocolate bar,and a package of cheese flavoured crackers!!!! That's it for a total of 7 hours in air!!! The connection time was less thatn 30 minutes so we had no time to get anything to eat in the airport!
Of course we had been up since 4 am and didn't arrive in FLL till 7:30 pm! We were starved and ended up eating an exspensive hotel meal, as we were too tired to find a restaurant nearby( not there is anything that close to the Princess choice of hotel( Marriot North).
Bring a sandwich if you are on a long flight!!

P.S. we flew from Vancouver to FLl so those of you with shorter commutes this won't matter!

[Toto2Kansas]

Definitely a good point, but it is not just United anymore. Most all flights only serve a bag of pretzels and a drink and on longer flights a small snack. Some even offer meals to PURCHASE now on longer flights.
Cut Back Cut Back Cut Backs!
Only time we have ever had a meal on a plane in years is on overseas flights!

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[CaptData]

I have flown North West and United both do not serve meals now. I'm diabetic so I always carrysomething if I know it will be awhile before final destination. Air Canada still serves a little something (a wrap of some sort on longer flights).


Oh those in front of plane (first class) got a full meal on both flights.
Hopfully a Hawiian Cruise

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[PeabodyNVL]

PG - Many airlines are like this now...I've had the same thing happen on American. You can tell whether you are going to be served a meal by checking online. If it says "snack", you will not be getting a meal.

For most airlines, it's a cost cutting measure they had to do. Many people do not like the airline food in the first place, so it's a huge waste of money. With the airlines in financial difficulty and people still expecting low fares, it's not likely to get better.

You can buy food at the airport vendors (Burger King, Cinnabon, etc) and bring it on board to eat. That's what I've seen a lot of people do.

Pea

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[yensid1071]

Very good advice to bring food aboard the plane! While on American Air for the CaribPrin cruise, the "food" on the 2 hr flight to FL consisted of a single, small oatmeal and raisin granola bar. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif Not my thing, really, so I'm glad I had a snack in my carry-on bag. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

As mentioned, some food locations in airports sell food to carry on the plane. In Tampa, Chilis sells various "flavors" of tortilla wraps with chips and salsa and market it as "take-aboard" or something like that. Add a drink and you're all set. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif Problem is, the whole thing, including drink, is about $9, but it sure does a better job than the itty bitty snack bags they give on the plane!!

Caribbean Princess - 4/2004
Dawn Princess - 12/2003
Sea Princess - 12/2000
Emerald Seas - 7/1984

[SueKayL]

Northwest sells a box lunch for $10.00 on their Florida flights..from Michigan anyway..

Hoagie sandwich, potato chips, coleslaw, cookies...

a smaller version box lunch for about $5.00....


oh well....pack a snack or PAY UP I guess!!

Sue

2-05 Sun Princess
2-04 Sun Princess
9-03 Golden Princess
2-03 Coral Princess
3-02 Ocean Princess
4-01 Carnival Paradise
2-00 Carnival Paradise

[spongerob]

We normally make sure that we have a good breakfast before a day of dealing with airports and aircraft. The food thing isn't a real big issue. The way I see it, if I'm going on a cruise I'll more than make up for any missed meals, and on the way home I'm still so stuffed that I can't imagine eating for a day or two.

Just completed:
Caribbean Princess Apr 3/04
Golden Princess Apr 10/04
Coming up:
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[Italy52]

Add Delta to the list of those airlines not serving meals in coach. If you so desire, you can purchase food onboard or you can bring your own aboard.

[MaryPoppinz]

With every other airline mentioned so far, it's simply a case of "nothing to eat." The problem (for me) with United is that it's the combination of "nothing to eat" and "flashbacks to the Summer of Horror" every time I hear Rhapsody in Blue or see the United logo. We lived in Chicago and were United-loyal, and I realize that United was being BADLY managed and that front line employees were in a completely untenable situation. But, even if Rick Bayless was cooking in the Coach cabin and every other airline offered "nothing to eat", I just could not go back to United. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

"I'm gonna book myself on that Princess Cruise."
-- Fox Mulder, X-Files 'Three Words'

[Mezzaluna]

We always travel with string cheese (individually wrapped- can do without refrigration), sunflower nuts, hard candy, granola bars, etc. That way we can supplement the "snacks" and not have to buy an expensive airport meal.

I'm not sure, but I think Midwest Airlines is still serving meals on flights over 2.5 hours. And they bake cookies in the cabin... mm! Meals are served on china with real glassware and metal utensils (except knives...).

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[rburns44]

Flew TransMeridian in Dec and they served a meal. Really surprised me! From Detroit to San Juan. At SJ airport they had a little kiosk selling paper bag lunches for people to buy. Just flew Delta and they gave you a paper with the breakfasts and lunches described and the prices. Not like it used to be.

Becky

[CruiseFever]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> The "snack" was a package of Oreo cookies( 2), a tiny bag of chips, and mouthful size chocolate bar,and a package of cheese flavoured crackers!! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


That would be a feast fit for a king on American!

Happy Cruising

Chris

www.LifeIsCruising.com (http://www.LifeIsCruising.com)

Next up:
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Star Princess 10/24/04
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Carnival Miracle 03/13/05

[juhli]

You forgot to mention the raisins!!!

[CruiseFever]

You must have been in First Class right?

Happy Cruising

Chris

www.LifeIsCruising.com (http://www.LifeIsCruising.com)

Next up:
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Carnival Miracle 03/13/05

[mek]

Has anyone done a trans-Atlantic recently? We did a flight to China two years ago on United and the food was fair, but we did have numerous meals because of the length of the flight. It's been three years,(pre 9/11) since we flew to Europe and were going on the Grand in June for a Baltic cruise. Just wondering how the food has changed since then.

[Andee]

My husband has always travelled a lot for business, and he used to say that it was the good news if the airlines didn't servce food.

On American from Chicago to Reno, they served a bag breakfast that wasn't bad; on the return a bag lunch, also OK.

We usually pack a sandwich and some fruit, and have often laughed at the idea of bringing a bunch of good deli sandwiches, which we could sell at a profit.

On United/SAS between Chicago and Scandinavia last summer, we were served dinner and breakfast in coach.

[lephysteria]

Thanks for the tip ya'll.

Naren and I are flying Delta from San Diego to Europe. The tickets mention a "snack" or a "beverage". I'm really glad that you mentioned what snacks consist of.

As a honeymoon surprise to him, I was going to bring along a bag of his favorite Indian snacks, but now it seems like I almost have to. Plus, maybe I'll bake a few dozen cookies the night before .... to hand out to salivating passengers!

Happy Sails,
Mrs. Tulpule

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[lephysteria]

Question - do airlines provide hot water? You know, to take ramen soups onboard? LOL, stop laughing, I love those stupid soups!

Happy Sails,
Mrs. Tulpule

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[eroller]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by lephysteria:
Thanks for the tip ya'll.

Naren and I are flying Delta from San Diego to Europe. The tickets mention a "snack" or a "beverage". I'm really glad that you mentioned what snacks consist of.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Anyone who has flown since 9/11 already knows that free hot food in coach is now a thing of the past. Even in first class the flights that serve food are greatly reduced. This is the new world we live in, and passengers are concerned about one thing only when they search airfares .... price. You get what you pay for, and airfares have probably never been cheaper. Legacy carriers like AA, UA, and DL now have to compete with LCC's (Low Cost Carriers) like Southwest, Jetblue, and AirTran. With a much higher operating structure, eliminating food is only one example of how they are trying to compete. Even so, they are all losing huge sums of money every month and still need to find ways to cut costs and a new business model.

Anyway, not having meals in coach is nothing new. This has been the case for a few years now on EVERY major carrier. Just FYI hot meals (with a choice) are still being served on all International flights on most every major carrier. One change, you may be paying for alcohol which was always free in the past.

For Mrs. Tulpule, yes, the flight will have hot water so that will not be a problem. Just ask the flight attendant. On your flight to Europe you will be served a hot dinner then breakfast when you land, but on the domestic portion, which I assume is San Diego to Atlanta, NY, or Cincinnati you will be offered "food for sale". Sandwiches and salads for $8 on Delta that are pretty good. Most are made by Atlanta Bread Company. There will also be a selection of snacks and deserts. You can pay by cash or credit card which is convenient.

Hope this helps.
Ernie

[geoherb]

I always take along a box of granola bars for us to snack on whenever we aren't able to get a meal. On our flight down to FLL last year, we had a 2-hour layover in Atlanta. There was a very good cafeteria-style restaurant in the food court. I had a vegetable plate with collards, black-eye peas and stuffing for around $5. We usually fly earlier in the day and eat a big breakfast before leaving.

[MRF777]

Try Continental Airlines they serve food on most flights. Even on Continental Express flights they have food most of the time.

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[Coolmama_1]

We fly Southwest as much as we can. Nashville is a hub and we can get direct flights to many places. I would rather pay less for a flight and eat their peanuts! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Judy

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