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“Where alcohol is required for an upcoming flight, allow the caterer ample time to navigate any rules on availability, and restrictions on access...” 5: Get Security Clearance in Advance
Long gone are the days when a catering van could pull up to an open gate and drive directly to the aircraft to deliver a catering order. Nowadays it's imperative to understand the security restrictions in-place where the aircraft is parked or hangared before the truck leaves the catering kitchen. Following are some thoughts to help in this area: •
Do you require your caterer to deliver your order directly to your aircraft, or are you able to collect it from the FBO? If the catering order will be delivered airside, be aware of the applicable Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening procedures and limitations. • Do you want the food delivered and stored somewhere other than the aircraft? If so, the FBO will need to have the equipment to safely store the prepared food, and the coordination for ultimately delivering the order to the aircraft door. These steps may incur extra expense to cover the caterer's costs for bringing catering orders through security, or secure storage. 68 Vol 24 Issue 11 2020 AVBUYER MAGAZINE
Bonus Tip: Anticipate Portion Variations
You can expect there to be plenty of differences in your in-flight catering from one location to another. Food, after all, is an area of frequent confusion. As an example, differences in serving sizes demonstrate how adhering to home-grown expectations can lead to disappointing outcomes elsewhere. Portions of protein for catering within the US often run larger than portions in European or Asian meals. The US protein portion size is typically eight ounces (225 grams) or more, whereas for many other countries a five- to sixounce portion (145-170 grams) is typical. Make sure you discuss meal portions with your in-flight caterer in advance. Indeed, make sure you discuss all of your needs with the caterer of your choice well in advance of when the food order is required. T www.AVBUYER.com