Comments for Virgin Atlantic Asks Complaint Writer To Be Taste Tester

Virgin Atlantic Asks Complaint Writer To Be Taste Tester

2009-01-28T20:53:17Z

The man who wrote the long, funny complaint letter to Richard Branson about the level of suck on his recent Virgin Atlantic flight has been asked to "come to the airline�s catering house next month, to help select the food on future Virgin flights." Yeah, we know that it's a publicity stunt, but an entertaining one. We hope the customer agrees, and hates the new food just as much. In fact, we wish he'd replace Toby Young on Top Chef; the dead hamster line would be a pretty good put-down on that show.

"Virgin complaint letter: Author of Virgin letter offered chance as airline's food tester" [Telegraph]
(Photo: annia316)

Comment from im.thatoneguy on 2009-02-02

2009-02-02T10:00:55Z

@komodork:
Have you ever eaten southern Indian food?

It's the most deliciousest food on earth. You can't ruin it if you serve it. And I've eaten it all over earth on just about every continent. It's been tasty everywhere.

It takes a special kind of talent to make indian food badly.

Comment from Quilt on 2009-01-29

2009-01-29T08:05:43Z

That sounds like a pretty sweat deal. I'm assuming they're paying for his travel expenses. He may not want to fly on Virgin Atlantic though. Word is their food is terrible.

Comment from ninjatoddler on 2009-01-29

2009-01-29T08:00:03Z

@xxoo: That's what happens when you taste the creation of a someone who's a virgin in culinary arts.

Comment from Jerome Espino on 2009-01-29

2009-01-29T05:41:14Z

No way, I hate Toby Young on Top Chef too! He's such a jerk to tries too hard to make "good television."

Comment from audemars on 2009-01-29

2009-01-29T05:00:13Z

@dohtem: co-sign the autobiography. he really seems like a pretty cool fellow.

Comment from SunnyLea on 2009-01-28

2009-01-29T02:30:21Z

@Chris Walters: Awesome.

Comment from SunnyLea on 2009-01-28

2009-01-29T02:29:53Z

@komodork: RTFA. The guy clearly know what he's talking about.

Comment from mmejanvier on 2009-01-28

2009-01-29T01:13:43Z

"The letter, which also included five photographs of the "offending" dishes, has been circulated around the world and has been almost universally praised for its pointedness and humour."

Here in America, we call that "being full of WIN and LOLZ"

Comment from xxoo on 2009-01-28

2009-01-29T00:09:34Z

No, it's not about the "type" of food one likes. I flew Virgin for the first time a few weeks ago NYC-LAX. I haven't spit food out of my mouth since I was a child, and I did so on this flight; the food was that bad. And I was in first class!

Comment from Anonymous on 2009-01-28

2009-01-28T23:55:07Z

I fly once a year from California to London, first class, and I can tell you that the food on Virgin ranges from poor to poorer. I haven't flown all the International carriers but I do know even United's first is better fare. BUT if you have a American Express Platinum card you get a free first class ticket if you buy a full fare one, once per year. This is a real deal. Being able to lay flat in your little bed is the only way to bear the 11 plus hours from California non-stop. I'd rather sleep than eat well. Also the First Class (Or "Upper" as Virgin calls it) Virgin terminal in London is just great: Terrific free food, drinks, showers, seating and media. Highly recommended.

Comment from dohtem on 2009-01-28

2009-01-28T23:40:39Z

@Blackneto: I agree. Everytime I see him on TV, whether it is on MTV's Cribs or on CNBC, he always comes across as genuinely nice.

P.S. His autobiography is an entertaining read as well

Comment from SexCpotatoes on 2009-01-28

2009-01-28T23:14:43Z

Maybe they're not trying a P.R. stunt maybe they're simply trying to poison him!

Run for your life unnamed traveler!

Comment from mrgenius on 2009-01-28

2009-01-28T23:05:06Z

Branson FTW. Seriously though Virgin Atlantic is my favorite airline. I don't why US carriers have to suck so badly. Well Virgin America is pretty dope too. I am dreading my next trip to Costa Rica on American Airlines.

Comment from dragonprism on 2009-01-28

2009-01-28T22:55:48Z

@komodork: I don't think you saw the pictures in the previous article did you?

Comment from RandomMutterings on 2009-01-28

2009-01-28T22:17:19Z

This is one of the reasons why Richard Branson is a billionaire. He has great instincts. It's a PR stunt but it's a great slightly tongue-in-cheek way of responding to the specific complaint.

Comment from rpm773 on 2009-01-28

2009-01-28T22:03:11Z

First course: A can of whoop-ass for writing that sarcastic letter to us!

Comment from junkmail on 2009-01-28

2009-01-28T21:58:35Z

Ditto on the Toby Young comment that guy is pure jackassness.

Comment from mythago on 2009-01-28

2009-01-28T21:53:37Z

@komodork: Don't be an ass.

Comment from JulesNoctambule on 2009-01-28

2009-01-28T21:52:58Z

@komodork: Or maybe the guy is used to Indian food and the food just sucked?

Comment from JulesNoctambule on 2009-01-28

2009-01-28T21:52:08Z

@Blackneto: I like him too; he's just crazy enough to keep a sense of humour and he really seems to give a damn too.

Comment from JulesNoctambule on 2009-01-28

2009-01-28T21:51:20Z

@QuadNipple_GitEmSteveDave: If I'd been that clerk it would have rapidly escalated into that Monty Python sketch and possibly a few more for good measure.

Comment from Hank Scorpio on 2009-01-28

2009-01-28T21:36:23Z

@Chris Walters:
That's exactly what I would do.

Comment from QuadNipple_GitEmSteveDave on 2009-01-28

2009-01-28T21:32:21Z

@Chris Walters: A dead hamster just reminded me of a crazy Lt my Dad had in the police department. The guy had birds. Like parakeets. Well one died. The Lt. made my Dad drive him down to the pet store to complain that he had been sold a defective bird. No it's not a Monty Python sketch as the bird WAS alive when sold but dies a few weeks later. He started arguing with the clerk until they refunded him his money.

Comment from Chris Walters on 2009-01-28

2009-01-28T21:31:47Z

@Blueskylaw: I think Branson will beat the crap out of him and then stand on him while smoking a cigar. You know how the mega-rich are.

Comment from Applekid on 2009-01-28

2009-01-28T21:31:21Z

@Blueskylaw: I smell reality show.

Comment from Blueskylaw on 2009-01-28

2009-01-28T21:25:10Z

Do you think they will have the same crappy food when he gets there? Or do you think they will have a nice châteaubriand with spring vegetables prepared by a top chef waiting for him and only him.

Comment from komodork on 2009-01-28

2009-01-28T21:23:34Z

I don't know why the guy would complain. He is leaving from India particular from the south region of India. I can tell you that almost all the passengers on board the plane are from south India. If you serve them scrambled eggs or some sort of sandwich I'm pretty sure they would say the same thing because in their perspective its not " their" type of food that they are accustomed to eating.

Comment from Blackneto on 2009-01-28

2009-01-28T21:22:49Z

@Blackneto: adn i just read TFA and it was Branson that called him. hahahah

Comment from Blackneto on 2009-01-28

2009-01-28T21:20:57Z

Branson has to be one of my favorite rich guys.
I don't know if he had a hand in this decision but it sounds like something he would do.

Comment from Trai_Dep on 2009-01-28

2009-01-28T21:18:09Z

At least they had the decency to slay the hamster before serving it to the Coach section.

Comment from ExtraCelestial on 2009-01-28

2009-01-28T21:18:04Z

@Chris Walters: LITTLE MONKEY SQWEEEEE!!!

Oh sorry I just came from Jezebel. *blush*

Comment from Jordan Martin on 2009-01-28

2009-01-28T21:16:55Z

@QuadNipple_GitEmSteveDave: what???!!! I thought I was getting a stereo for christmas

Comment from LuluStarPony on 2009-01-28

2009-01-28T21:15:04Z

@Chris Walters: It definitely adds to the hamster. It's totally worth 2x its value now.

Comment from Chris Walters on 2009-01-28

2009-01-28T21:07:46Z

@QuadNipple_GitEmSteveDave: It's my Coraline tribute hamster.

I was actually going to put up a picture of a dead hamster (thank you Flickr!) but felt it was the wrong way to go for the general Consumerist audience.

Comment from QuadNipple_GitEmSteveDave on 2009-01-28

2009-01-28T21:03:15Z

At first I thought that was thread over the eyes.