Did you ask for the whole can? I always do, and they never say no (on any airline).

I was going to post the same thing. You can almost always get the full can if you ask. Especially since you were at the back of the plane. You aren't allowed to complain if you don't even ask. The airlines have been pouring drinks like that for years now.

I have had frequent flyer status on airlines for the last 11 years, so I do notice stuff like this. Generally they don't give out the whole can because there isn't room for the individuals in the back unless they have the tray table up.

Stupid Continental Airlines...Thats Coke Abuse, there should be some sort of Department of Social Service to report Coca Cola abusers!!!

Mexicana Airlines did the same to me when I flew to GDL a few months ago!

Note: also file under "Filler" and "Petty"

What you planning on doing in South Carolina? Need any tips? Heck, I'm available as a guide right now! You have to stop by the Horseshoe at USC campus, it's only a few miles from the airport.

I got the same treatment on UAL last weekend. I was in the last row of economy+ (it was either that or last row of the plane, middle seat), and the cart serving me stopped after my row since the economy section has their own cart. I even asked for the can, and was told that policy said I couldn't get one.

"What can I get you to drink?"

"I'd like a can of Coke, please."

This has always worked for me.

Continental is far and away my favorite domestic airline. I think you guys get a little too bitter sometimes. P.S. next time you might want to check that seat assignment in advance so you dont sit by the cesspool that is the back of the plane.

I flew Continental over the Thanksgiving holiday and they definitely gave me the entire can of Coke without me even asking. Hell, I'll take Continental over any of the other major airlines (save JetBlue, of course). I once got a bag of peanuts on a UAL flight (maybe a year ago) and there were literally three peanuts in the bag. I almost started a mutiny!

What is with all the "we" action here? Are you multiple people, do you have a split personality disorder, or perhaps it's the royal "we" of the Queen?

I'm guessing from the fact that only one Coke is involved, that only one person is involved.

It's totally ok to say "I" and "me" - I can see your name right there, I know this wasn't written by a hive mind.

I also welcome you to South Carolina. Charleston specifically. Hope you enjoy your stay (the weather has been great lately)

Haven't you heard? Ben is very fond of "the royal 'we.'"

No, the royal "we" is the cliche way to write. Of course it smacks of the same snobbish air that the royalty exudes when they use it.

Do we get to write a Consumerist article on the advantages of actually ASKING for something?

Finally, while I can actually understand them not wanting to give you a piece of aluminum for some strange security fear I have never been turned down when I asked for more as well.

I'm guessing permissionmag is new 'round here.

I find this post title very missleading! I thought Continental was giving out illegal drugs.

Two points:
1. I (perhaps in the minority) actually prefer that they not give me the whole can. It's just too much to juggle on that tiny tray and an accident is bound to happen if the tray has to accomodate a flimsy plastic cup, can of soda, and whatever book/laptop/etc I am using.

2. Like the others here, I have never been denied more soda if I request it. Try asking next time. I have never heard of or experienced a 1 soda limit on any airline.

Haven't you all read what happens to your body after drinking a Coke? You should be grateful that Corporate America is helping to save your sorry asses. *Cracks open another Pepsi*

AlteredBeast -- that's only in first class.

I usually ask for the can unless I'm like the first few people served on a sold out flight. I always ask for "no ice" and that is usually a hint that I want more than 2oz. If I don't get the can, at least I get a full 6-8oz cup and it's usually cold enough.

The worst trend I know of (I can't remember the airline) is the selling of "snack boxes" on long flights instead of meals. I was on a flight from Denver to Philadelphia and I was starving and didn't have time to grab something at the airport. I shelled out $8 (I think) for a bag of chips, a pack of crackers, a tiny sliver of cheese, and a Slim-Jim type sausage.

Also, it was "exact amount only" and I only had a $20. The flight attendant took my money with a grimace and said that she "might be able to get me some change". It was over an hour before she brought my change. Are they worried about being mugged if they have some change on them?

Asking is wonderful trick. My oft-hungry husband will ask for extra...muffins/peanuts/pretzels and he's never been denied.

That's really news to me; when did they start doing that? Maybe I haven't been paying attention but they always give me the can.

I've alternately recieved cans and not recieved cans on a variety of airlines. I have a feeling this is one of those things that isn't hard policy, but varies from flight to flight and attendant to attendant.

And winter still exists in South Carolina, believe it or not.

As great is Continental is for providing snacks, I'd think the Consumerist doth protest too much. My last Continental flight (last week) scored me a little turkey sandwich, some Ruffles, and a bag of M&Ms (plus the soda). That surely beats the hell out of a tiny satchel of pretzels.

Furthermore, yeah, if you wanted the whole can, you could have asked. Plus, you've got the call button if you want to ask for another drink after you've finished with the first one, if you haven't started your approach by then.

Lighten up guys. There's a LOT more you could pick on re: airline cost-cutting. Continental is one of the least offensive, and your complaint about the soda serving size, much like the small cups themselves, doesn't hold much water.

I am in Columbia SC too!!

Just an FYI, Delta does the same thing. What is worse, instead of throwing those little plasic cups and little plastic containers that your snack comes in (on longer flights) away, they actually stack them up and save them. I have even seen the flight attendant pull cups and plastic container things out of the garbage.

One can hope that Delta has started recycling, but my impression is that they reuse the containers (cleaned preferably)...

It was quite possibly the last Coke they had and the flight attendant was in the bathroom chugging it down before you asked for a refill. She can't lie?! No, that really sucks, I know how it feels to really want a refreshing drink and not be able to savor it to the last drop. Damn them. Next time, fly into my home state of NC and I'll buy you a case of Coke to share on the flight!

Only kings, presidents, editors, and people with tapeworms have the right to use the editorial "we."

if you don't have anything to write about, how about not writing.

The positive comments I see above show me one thing - that many of us are beaten down as airline customers, pummeled into nodding submission by years of crappy service, cramped planes and bad flying experiences.

Fly on Delta, United, American, Continental and you get some crappy, 25 year-old, cramped 727 or MD-88 where anyone taller than Tom Cruise is uncomfortable. The person in front of you is in your lap if they lean their seat back. There's a line for the bathroom.

Continental played movies on my recent Newark to Seattle flights; but they have the two-pronged headphone jacks so nobody can plug in their earbuds. Want the right headphones? That's 5 dollars, cash only. I mean come on, 5 dollars to watch the movie on a 7-inch screen from three seats away? Who carries cash any more? Weak.

Even weaker is their customer service. I had to stand in line in Newark for 2.5 hours (really-with only 20 people in front of me) when I missed my connection due to weather. Standing there, staring at all the J.D. Power posters declaring that Continental Airlines had the highest ratings in customer satisfaction. Of course, they're the ones who give every new car a "best in class" award so that they can show the trophy in their print ads. I have a vision of J.D. Power as being one phone, 25 employees and a room full of printers to make posters.

Concur with the post about 4 oz drinks - don't make me beg for it. Just give it to me.

I had the pleasure of flying Jet Blue recently. Roomy seats, no first class, good service all around. DirectTV at the seat. Excellent.

So please, everyone, stop telling me that I should be a good little boy and grin and bear it when the major airlines tell me to grab my ankles. We don't have to put up with it, do we? Is it any wonder they're all filing for bankruptcy?