Regarding Arnie Weissmann's comments in his Jan. 14 column [From the Window Seat: "Change in the air"] about the United Airlines policy that allows passengers with the highest status to choose meals before other passengers in the front of the plane: It gives one a different perspective. While it's probably irritating to many, it makes sense to treat your best customers better than the others. It's something airlines have always tried to do.
However, there seems to be a simple alternative to asking high-status passengers for meal choices right in front of passengers who are not getting preferential treatment: Let premium-level travelers order meals in advance, online. It probably wouldn't reach 100% of the market, but it would remove some of the awkwardness and make even more people happy.
Bruce Tepper
Joselyn Tepper & Associates
Sonora, Calif.
Please send letters for publication to Travel Weekly, attn: Letters Editor, 100 Lighting Way, Secaucus, N.J., 07094, or email them to [email protected]. Travel Weekly reserves the right to edit all letters for length and to conform to our style and standards.