Going Hungry With Globespan

[baz]

My brother-in-law and family flew with Globespan (two holidays this year means budget air travel!) around Christmas and reckoned it was no worse than anyone else. He took the cheap option and instead of their meals took some M&S goodies with him and got on fine. We let him make the arrangements for our trip on 28th April and not only have they changed the departure and return flight times twice each now (also added a stopover in Boston) but then he gets an e-mail stating the following...

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Should you elect not to take advantage of our set in-flight menu we offer a selection of hot food at reasonable prices to be purchased on board. These however are subject to availability and we would recommend you consider our set menu. Snacks and refreshments will also be available for purchase at appropriate intervals throughout the flight. (We do not allow passengers to bring their own food items on board as food cannot be kept at the appropriate temperature and may represent a health and hygiene danger.)[/quote]

It's obviously unethical to try and force everyone to take their on-board meals (kids baulked at the menus) but is it legal for them to do this? I know you can't take foodstuffs into another country, and that for safety reasons liquids are being limited, but I've never heard of any carrier banning you from taking your own food. They are now holding the proverbial gun to our heads and saying if you don't take our meals you will spend 9 1/2 hours in the plane with nothing more than some crisps an nuts (if available).

I always thought that airlines were bound by rules that made them carry enough food for everyone on board in case any major delays were encountered. I can only assume that they have failed to meet their targets and are now trying scare tactics. I am obviously going to call and complain, but will it do me any good? Just interested to see if anyone else has been through this recently and what they did about it if anything. I've also just read a post about Globespan on another board on here, I'm not over keen on flying as it is, now I'm getting really worried!

[CCollins]

wow - we have flown with globespan twice and have NEVER had their meals.

We do the same take M&S snacks and sarnies etc and none of the cabin crew have ever said anything to us. I never even realised that we were not allowed to take food on.

I would ignore them - take your own food and state that you have special dietry requirements should they say anything to you - which I doubt they will.

[ShirleyD]

I would just do as Caroline suggests and have a range of dietry requirements that they can't satisfy with their food at short notice. Just don't make it obvious you have your own food. M & S have much better food than most airlines. I wouldn't bother to ring them, it just sounds like they are trying to scare you into spending loads of extra money [msnmad]

I have searched the Civil Aviation web site and I cannot find anything that says you cannot take your own food.

If it was me I would take whatever food I want and if questioned I would ask them to show me where it states in Aviation Law that I cannot bring on my own packed lunch[msnmad]

You could also try contacting.............

If you have a complaint about an airline or airport that is not safety related then please contact the Air Transport Users Council (AUC).

The AUC is the consumer watchdog for the airline industry. It can offer advice on individual complaints against airlines or airports and, if appropriate, will try to mediate on behalf of the passenger.

Air Transport Users Council
CAA House, 45-59 Kingsway, London WC2B 6TE

Tel: 020 7240 6061
(consumer advice 09:30 - 16:30 Monday-Friday)
Fax: 020 7240 7071

www.auc.org.uk

Good luck!

P.S I saw your post on the pilots forum too[msnwink]

[Robert5988]

They are just bluffing!

If they do say anything, just tell them you have an obscure religion with your own dietry requirements that can only be found at M&S!

[wilfy]

It certainly may not be law, but take a look at the terms and conditions that are on the site or refered too on the booking. If it doesn't say anything then you should be clear to go.

[Katys Grandad]

Where are you flying from? If there's a stopover in Boston, the flight will only be in the region of 6 hours long so you could eat before boarding and be ready for something more in Boston between flights. There are lots of eating choices in Logan Airport.

Boston to Orlando is only a couple of hours or so - tell Globespan to keep their food!!

[DaveL]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Robert5988


just tell them you have an obscure religion with your own dietry requirements that can only be found at M&S!

[/quote]

Not obscure at all -- You are following the teachings of St. Michael [msnwink]

Dave

[Kazzie]

How would they know that you had food with you anyway? They surely do not search your hand luggage as you board?

Karen

[baz]

Sorry for the confusion, I meant Bangor not Boston! I did post a similar message on the pilots forum on the advice of someone else (assuming that they would know a bit about it!) and the reaction has been much the same. We didn't get through on any of the given phone numbers after many attempts so we finally emailed them and got a reply. The bloke who wrote back said that everything they'd mailed was correct but hinted that we may want to 'risk it'. Thanks for the replies, I've been to Florida three times in the last ten years but have only been reading these forums for a few months now (just registered). I think I'm more prepared this time than I've ever been!