Why Do I Always Get Tomato Juice on a Plane?

I love tomato juice, but I get it more often on a plane than elsewhere. Funny thing is, I think other people do too. I've often wondered why that is. My main theory is that it's more substantial and savory than just getting a soda, or even another kind of juice. It's more like a snack than a drink, but because of some fluke it's considered a drink, so airlines are compelled to offer it with the other drinks. When I order it, I guess on some level I think I'm getting a good deal.

But I think it's more than that. Tomato juice, like meatloaf, is one of those things that I have to be in the mood for and I'm just in the mood for it on a plane more often than I am otherwise. Maybe it's like a special treat that I reserve for such occasions (I don't fly very often).

Other kinds of juice are generally sweeter and it's hard to savor something that's so sweet. I'm generally not inclined to get those. Yet I noticed on a plane to Spain once that many of the other passengers seemed prone to get pineapple juice. Different culture, I guess. Perhaps this is somehow related to why I like to watch cooking shows, except for ones that involve dessert and sweets. I am not interested in them at all, except maybe Jacques Torres' shows, because he's an artist.

Who wouldn't prefer to savor some nice tomato juice than have a can of coke as they fly 1000s of feet above the ground? I remember when I took British Airways once and the stewardess asked me if I wanted Worcester (pronounced woosteh) sauce, when I asked for my tomato juice. I felt like I was home. Admittedly though, I would've liked it more if they asked me if I wanted tabasco sauce too.

There are other benefits to drinking tomato juice on a plane. Due to it's high salt content it causes one to retain water, and so the trips to the restroom are prone to be less frequent. This is especially relevant as it goes well with vodka, and can therefore pleasantly counteract alcohol's diuretic effect. I can't believe that it's anti-diuretic effect is why I drink tomato juice on a plane though because early on when I used to order it that hadn't occurred to me, and I doubt my subconscious is smart enough to have figured it out.

Now, of course, these observations pertain equally well to V-8 and bloody Mary mix.