Thanks to those who answered.
This debate had been going on for some time since we merged. Some thought that the company was being difficult, industrial relations wise.
Interestingly enough, AC's first order of A-320's back in the early 90's had the tables not installed. Instead, there was this stowable plate holder just below where the table should have been, in the shape of the sort of music holders musicians in orchestras hold up their music with. Trouble with those was, your chart was too far to see, the finer print anyway, and don't think anyone used it.
So I wonder why Airbus put the thing there in the first place, since it involves cost and weight? Did they know about clipboards then? Guess having the proper dining accoutrements was deemed important for the French engineers (I guess the clip would have held the menu), or was it put there so one would have something to hang on to... or put your head down.....?
Anyway, I used to use it all the time while I was wearing a different hat, with company blessing, especially for displaying charts during the approach. Worked real swell.
Scud