I've already tried twice, both times they confirmed with a supervisor that special meals are not available on that route. What's the policy? Is it? The UA site seems unclear:
U.S. flights
Special meals are available in premium cabins on flights with meal service between:
New York (JFK) and San Francisco (SFO) or Los Angeles (LAX)
Newark (EWR) and San Francisco (SFO) or Los Angeles (LAX)
The continental U.S. and Hawaii