I was fully invested in the conspiratorial view behind how Freshbrew landed the single contract... when a FA turned my worldview upside down last week. I was helping myself to some used motor oil during a break and bemoaning not having Starbucks available, when he told me he has a brother-in-law or somesuch who is a senior exec there. He said flat out that the selection of Freshbrew had nothing to do with UAL mgmt shenanigans. Rather, Starbucks withdrew from consideration when it inspected and discovered contaminated water/pots/etc. onboard (the leadoff article to this thread even touched on it). I was stunned at the thought it could have been due to simple UAL buffoonery and not Machiavellian maneuvers.

But I've realized that Starbucks probably just wanted to avoid the shame of potentially losing a rigged competition! Worldview... right side up!

I'd have been thrilled with Dunkin Donuts coffee onboard. But I tried Illy at the CPO yesterday and it was a very noticeable improvement over the old laxative.