General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDo you remember when they gave you the entire can of coke on an airplane?
None of this pour you a cupful jazz, they just cracked open that can of diet coke (or in my case, that bottle of Tab...omg who here is old enough to have been a Tab drinker?) and handed it over. Remember when the pilot used to comment on what landmarks or points of interest you were flying over? Ah, those were the days.
Just trying to lighten the mood.
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)Butterbean
(1,014 posts)xtraxritical
(3,576 posts)including fillet mignon.
yurbud
(39,405 posts)quinnox
(20,600 posts)and I also got full meals on the airplane. They weren't bad either. At least, not to a kids palate. They would wheel the pop/refreshments up the aisle in a cart.
awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)once was around 76 from Birmingham to Cleveland. I chose a ham and cheese croissant and fries- both were good. My second flight was in 02 from Dallas to Montreal. All they had was small bags of nuts.
johnp3907
(3,732 posts)When they ask what I want I say: "Diet Coke, please. Can I have the whole can?"
Butterbean
(1,014 posts)johnp3907
(3,732 posts)So I've done it ever since. No one's ever said "No."
pnwmom
(108,980 posts)Nay
(12,051 posts)all that ice won't even wet your whistle.
FSogol
(45,488 posts)Jenoch
(7,720 posts)Once years ago I got quite dehydrated on a flight, I had a window seat, and they gave me about 4 ounces of soda with ice. They also never came by again and here I am without a bottle of water. Ever since I always buy a $4 bottle of water at the airport and almost never open it up onboard.
I read that Frontier is now charging $1.99 for a can of soda in economy.
Mariana
(14,858 posts)Bring an empty water bottle through security, and fill it up at a bubbler once you get inside.
spinbaby
(15,090 posts)I thought that was a good idea--bring your own bottle and fill it once you get through security.
Jenoch
(7,720 posts)Mariana
(14,858 posts)I've never had a problem going through security with an empty bottle and packaged food. For some reason, flying always makes me very hungry, even on short flights. And I've been diverted and delayed enough times to know that I better have some extra provisions with me.
Jenoch
(7,720 posts)of granola bars or something just as easy to eat.
Ever since the 'egg salad sandwich' incident of '05 (somebody actually brought on board and ate an egg salad sandwich next to me while we were waiting to take off. I couldn't even turn on the little overhead venilation), I don't eat much on flights.
On flights from home, I usually eat before going to the airport. At other times, I get something to eat in the airport before boarding. I just don't like to eat a sandwich or something sitting next to some stranger.
CincyDem
(6,363 posts)And a can of club soda for my better half.
No commentary on landmarks yet, but we can hope.
Butterbean
(1,014 posts)on multiple legs of an international trip, and not once did I get the can. Of course, all my flights were booked solid, so that may have been part of it.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,732 posts)which I like better than Pepsi (which NWA served). Always got a full can of it on NWA, though.
CincyDem
(6,363 posts)I heard it was only 2004 when they stopped the policy of throwing you off the plane if you asked for a Pepsi.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,732 posts)Delta served them as snacks on all flights, allergies be damned, because peanuts come from Georgia. I recall there was a bit of an uproar from former NWA people, so I don't know if they are still doing it.
Jenoch
(7,720 posts)I usually get the Speculoos cookies because I like them. The odd thing about the Delta peanuts is that they are packaged in Ohio.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,732 posts)Jenoch
(7,720 posts)The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,732 posts)and, of all places, Walgreen's.
Travis_0004
(5,417 posts)I had some on a flight yesterday.
CincyDem
(6,363 posts)When my old company instituted a policy that the FF miles you picked up traveling company business had to be "returned" to the company, everyone started taking the peanuts and mailing them to the HR VP. This is a company of 100k+ folks with probably 2-3k traveling at any given time. He got a lot of peanuts.
Not sure if it influenced the decision but it did get reversed after about a year.
Not sure where we would have ended up is there were no peanuts to use.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)FSogol
(45,488 posts)US companies had in the 70s. Very nice.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)until they dropped the direct flight into San Jose.
enlightenment
(8,830 posts)feeds passengers like they were baby birds on Las Vegas/London flights - snack/dinner/tea/snack/breakfast (usually just a hot breakfast sandwich).
I think they haul out the food to make sure the inmates don't get too restless. You may be cramped and uncomfortable and contemplating violence to the person in front of you who has reclined their seat into your lap . . . but you're not hungry.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)wouldn't make sense to spend $10 to feed people decently and make them think they're getting white glove treatment.
enlightenment
(8,830 posts)the prices are all over the place.
As for the food, well, it's airline food and though it won't kill you, putting it on a china plate is like putting lipstick on a pig. I'm more impressed with the attitude that goes with the service, really.
I recall one flight where the attendants (Virgin) - obviously bored - stationed themselves at various points in the aisles and started lobbing packaged snacks (sweet rolls and the like). They'd pull one out, then holler "blueberry cream cheese bagel" or "cheese danish" - hands would go up and they'd toss the packet to the person.
It was a bit shocking at first, but became increasingly amusing. Everyone was laughing by the time it was finished - and everyone got a snack.
Not white glove, certainly, but a pleasant interlude toward the end of a long flight.
I'll pay a little more to fly an airline that recalls I'm a human being who is - like them - stuck in a skinny metal tube 32,000 feet in the air.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)Best food I've had on an airplane is flying back from Italy.
Flying to Central America, notsomuch.
ProfessorGAC
(65,076 posts)Always got dinner and light breakfast just before landing. And i'm not talking 30 years ago. Even in coach.
For a while, since i went so often, i used FF miles to upgrade to business class, just for the extra room to get some sleep before landing. They feed you there of course, but i think it's a different menu. Not first class, but pretty nice.
GAC
woodsprite
(11,916 posts)The menu had dinner selections from 5 euros to 18 euros. She said dinner was chicken teriyaki w/ corn and breakfast was a hard boiled egg, something that looked like german potato salad (oil based dressing) and some kind of small sausage on the way going over. She said breakfast coming home was some kind of ham wrap w/ lettuce, corn and carrots and a dab of the potato salad again. Sounded like AB got a deal on corn because it seemed to be a side or ingredient in almost everything they offered.
Art_from_Ark
(27,247 posts)Some airlines offer free wine and beer to economy class trans-Pacific passengers as well, while others charge for potent potables.
HappyMe
(20,277 posts)You used to get actual food on longer flights too. It wasn't half bad either.
truebluegreen
(9,033 posts)although I did fly on Air New Zealand in the mid-70s and the food was better than what I ate at home.
HappyMe
(20,277 posts)happy to be flying somewhere, it tasted good to me.
truebluegreen
(9,033 posts)Nowadays I think I'd rather take a train...but not to NZ I wonder if their food is still good?
HappyMe
(20,277 posts)I like it a lot. The food was very good. The train staff is very friendly and helpful. The other passengers were interesting and nice. There weren't any of the scowling faces you see on planes these days.
truebluegreen
(9,033 posts)How long did that journey take?
HappyMe
(20,277 posts)It was very pleasant. We may plan a long trip out west or up into Canada for next year. If you are going clear across the country, get one of the little rooms. It may seem pricey, but all your meals are included.
truebluegreen
(9,033 posts)I was going to ask about that--the seating or the little rooms. I was thinking about going all the way across on the Canadian Pacific--always wanted to do that and it's too long to sit in a car and drive.
politicat
(9,808 posts)The roomettes have a power point so if you need to recharge a phone/computer/device, you can. There aren't many power points available in coach (none at seats, few in the obs car or lounge.)
If you have absolutely no need for power, however, the coach seats are comfortable and have great leg room.
Skittles
(153,169 posts)Mojorabbit
(16,020 posts)guaranteed you a wonderful meal.
truebluegreen
(9,033 posts)did a much better job...I still remember the roast lamb with mint sauce and baby red potatoes...shocking they would serve lamb on Air NZ
Whisp
(24,096 posts)and this was not first class. Real cutlery, steak potatoes, fixings. I think we even had free booze, up to a limit. That part I'm not sure tho.
Now it's those gawd awful packages of salted styrofoam chips and stuff.
kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)Denver into Phoenix. It was lunch: Restaurant quality turkey sandwich on a really fresh kaiser roll with leaf lettuce and a real tomato; extremely fresh, nice tossed green salad; other stuff on the side and dessert (I forget exactly what), and a small bottle of Mateus rose wine. Stainless cutlery, cloth napkin, the works, and all in coach on a short flight.
It's definitely been all downhill since then.
Jenoch
(7,720 posts)These days they might not even get the beverage cart out.
kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)Grammy23
(5,810 posts)Entrée was steak and we had some kind of potatoes and another side dish. Bread. Dessert AND Wine! The flight attendants roamed throughout the plane during much of that flight pouring water from a 2 or 3 liter bottle for anyone still awake. (This went on from shortly after dinner, during the movie and then in the middle of the night.)
The next morning, we got some kind of egg dish, bread and maybe even sausage? Lukewarm coffee. Well, we can't have EVERYTHING, especially in coach.
That was the last time I remember getting real food that could pass for a meal. A few times since then I have gotten a sandwich, apple and cookies. There was also a period of time when I got pretzels in a tiny bag. Peanuts were out. Then suddenly, peanuts came back and in some recent flights I have been given the choice between pretzels and peanuts.
reformist2
(9,841 posts)I can picture them standing in the front throwing out corn chips.
Butterbean
(1,014 posts)Maven
(10,533 posts)Butterbean
(1,014 posts)roamer65
(36,745 posts)Classic movie lol.
Butterbean
(1,014 posts)JustAnotherGen
(31,828 posts)And Air France also gives you a little bottle of wine to have with your dinner.
petronius
(26,602 posts)my go-to carrier up and down the West Coast...
(SkyWest as well, I think, at least when you book through Alaska.)
friendlyFRIEND
(94 posts)in the late 90's
Flying a little 3 hour jump into the Urals.
After boarding the plane through a stairway in the belly (the only commercial aircraft with this configuration)
I probably paid, I don't know... maybe $70USD for the flight. They gave us a choice of 3 different entrees. I was stunned to see them bring a full sized dinner tray with bread, jellies, butter and metal utensils. The entree was inside an Aluminum container with a foil lid. I peeled back the lid and found restaurant quality food. In addition I was offered Vodka or wine.
So back to the topic of cheap basterd domestic airlines, they have a limited number of cans onboard. If they give away 50 cans of Pepsi they may not have enough for the next person who asks for one. This is why on a partially filled plane frequently they will give you a full can even today. Of course it also depends on the FA and your own attitude. Treat the FA right and they will treat you right back.
kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)friendlyFRIEND
(94 posts)Fwiw, I was on a A319 3 weeks ago with 18 passengers. Was awesome. FA were giving away tons of snacks and taking their time chatting with passengers.
Virgin America... great airline.
Travis_0004
(5,417 posts)It was a MD88 that seated about 150, so it was only about 75% full.
Window seat, on a exit row, with nobody sitting next to me makes for a great flight.
Jenoch
(7,720 posts)took a flight in a Russian Yakovlev Yak-42. We went up the tail just like the old 727s. I was not impressed with the plane, but the food was great. They served what would now be called a charcuterie plate with various sausages and sliced cold roast pork, and bread, fresh fruit and red wine. It was much better than the lasagna I remember on U.S. flights back in the day.
friendlyFRIEND
(94 posts)but have never flown on one. I like planes... I need to fly on an A380 and a B787 to keep my list going
Jenoch
(7,720 posts)A few of them have crashed in recent years. Remember the plane that crashed in Belarus and killed an entire Russian hockey team?
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/08/world/europe/08russia.html?_r=ai
I too would like to take a flight on the A380. That would certainly be an excuse to go to Austrailia.
friendlyFRIEND
(94 posts)Problem with the A380 is that obviously it only makes long hauls which are big $$.
Ms. Toad
(34,074 posts)on Aeroflot in the late 80s.
They passed a basket of rolls down the rows, and dipped whatever the food was (chicken, I think) from a big community pot and passed the plates (or maybe bowls) down the rows to the recipients.
And - best yet - when you walked out if you had a bag that stuck out at all when you hit the back of the seat with it it collapsed forward.
friendlyFRIEND
(94 posts)unless it was borscht, I can't stand borscht.
Ms. Toad
(34,074 posts)Although I tend to like less grease and more seasoning than most Russian food.
The swimsuits were even better. They lost our luggage. It took a side stop in Poland. So my spouse and I had one extra shirt between us (and once we left Moscow, we couldn't get it back until we returned nearly 2 weeks later since we had to go through customs at the port of entry). Everything else got washed overnight.
They did finally get us some money to purchase replacement luggage - not that there was anything to purchase. When we got to Tashkent, it was so hot we really wanted to go swimming - so we bought the only swimsuits we could find. Every woman wore a bikini - no matter what body shape (or state of pregnancy). And apparently they only make them in size DD - and we're both sub-A. But, never fear, they were free-standing and filled with about a gallon of water every time we went underwater.
friendlyFRIEND
(94 posts)It's adventures like that that we remember for a lifetime!
whathehell
(29,067 posts)SomethingFishy
(4,876 posts)onenote
(42,714 posts)brooklynite
(94,595 posts)...the REALLY good old days (1960's and 70's) came with Government regulated high ticket prices that most people couldn't afford.
Under deregulation, airlines have found that, unlike restaurants or hotels, airlines can fundamentally appeal to customers by only one metric: price. And since the airlines aren't making a lot of money, they've been forced to cut whatever expenses they can to keep fares as low as possible.
AnotherMcIntosh
(11,064 posts)Mr.Bill
(24,303 posts)Butterbean
(1,014 posts)I was about 5-9 years old. When Carter was in office, I was ummmmmm...7. I remember my mom taking us to somewhere in the middle of nowhere Georgia to watch Anwar Sadat get off a helicopter to meet Pres. Carter. How's that for ancient history? LOL.
Nevernose
(13,081 posts)He was running for reelection at the time. Mostly I just remember the place, because a family friend lived behind the hotel and took me fishing for bream sometimes, and a lot of people in suits. And there's a picture of me standing with President Carter.
Fast forward 25 years, his son is running for senator in Nevada, and my kid (10 at the time) gets her picture taken with former President Carter at a campaign event for volunteers. My kid was old enough to remember it, and that time so was I!
Jenoch
(7,720 posts)an airline back in the "good old days" where they served free champaign to anyone over 21.
Western Airlines, "It's the oooooonly way to fly!".
SummerSnow
(12,608 posts)Response to SummerSnow (Reply #43)
darkangel218 This message was self-deleted by its author.
JustFiveMoreMinutes
(2,133 posts)only time is if they're running low on supplies and am told 'after everyone gets their first order in'.
No probs.
Wheezy
(1,763 posts)and the flight crew offered me a free bloody mary (which I sadly turned down as I was on my way to a business meeting) and gave me a blueberry muffin from first class -- one of the flight attendants downloaded a candle app on his phone and they sang happy birthday to me.
Nice things happen sometimes.
Butterbean
(1,014 posts)Initech
(100,080 posts)HipChick
(25,485 posts)I think there is only time I was refused..
Historic NY
(37,451 posts)for later medicinal use.
Marrah_G
(28,581 posts)You are contributing to my future household and retirement. My guy has worked for them for 30 years now
RB TexLa
(17,003 posts)looking at the employees thinking "You are to serve me, now serve me."
Butterbean
(1,014 posts)Matariki
(18,775 posts)I'll take the half cup of soda, thanks
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/goldenspike.htm
Matariki
(18,775 posts)I read a journal entry from one of my ancestor's experiences on a trans-Atlantic ship immigrating to America. They wrote about the 'wormy drinking water', weevils in the ship bread, and a nasty ship crew & captain (if a person complained, they'd likely have an accidental fall overboard).