Well, perhaps you are having better luck with the caterer at MIA than we have at DFW. We have recurring problems with the DFW caterer. When I would write up things on the catering papers--such as more inserts delivered to F/C galley than would fit in the carts or in the "cubbyholes" and would just be left on the counter because "the f/a will find a place for them" (a no-no); or, 3 inserts of ice for the whole a/c on a DFW-LAX flight; or, catering papers saying one thing about the dinner entrees and when you took the foil off the dish, it would be something else entirely--the person handling catering reports told me that the catering manager was saying that "these things are not happening. The f/as are lying." I started taking pictures with my phone and sending them to the person responsible for catering reports. One of my favorites was the double-catered flight on which we were catered (just in First Class) with 15 liters of water and 48 nut ramekins (16 passengers each way).
AA 222 the other day on a 24 passenger 757 left with 16 meals. Over the years I've seen the flight leave short on menu cards, no entertainment players, or pillow/duvets but they have never been short on meals. Purser was very professional and resourceful, offered meals to all fullfare passengers and Execplats and then offered a fruit cup and buy on board from Y. Turns out family of four refused meals (must have been fullfare) as they had already eaten so everyone that wanted a meal got one, and many even got their choice of the asparagus and potato egg skillet or cereal. Purser mentioned in the past they have catered 30 meals (763) but NEVER 16.
Special meals ARE still available on transcons (which AA has a fairly loose and inconsistent definition) in F/J and all Asia, Europe, South America routes. Certain LatAm markets do still have special meals while others don't. Pretty ridiculous I agree, if someone needs a Kosher, Vegetarian or Gluten Free meal they should be able to have one. Delta still has them on all domestic flights with meal service, and some believe they are better than the standard offerings and are ordering them without a religious or dietary need:
http://upgrd.com/sit...l-on-delta.html
Josh