I recall reading that one US carrier saved a fortune by removing one Olive from each salad. Across a year?
Reportedly attributed to Bob Crandall, one-time Chairman/President of American Airlines. He was the ultimate bean-counter and I've heard various estimates of the predicted saving, ranging from US$40K to US$0.5m per year (the latter is a bit hard to believe).
I had the pleasure of hearing him talk at a RAeS branch meeting many years ago when he walked into the lion's den at BA's Heathrow HQ (there was an all-out war between the two airlines in those days). Very entertaining speaker.
He didn't mention olives, though,
