Tipping flight attendants
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at 03:12 by LuganoPirate.
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SchaibleParticipantRecently I flew with my 3 year old son on Sri Lankan Business Class from CMB to FRA.
The service of the cabin crew was fantastic and dedicating. The Business cabin was half empty which may have contributed to the “special” service but the two assigned FAs went the extra mile in any matters, even offered my son to see the cockpit. I haven’t had a memorable experience like this for quite some time. Consequently I handed over an envelop with USD 20 to the two crew taking care of us. From my own experience I usually don’t tip cabin crew unless it was an extraordinary service. And this happens only in 10% of my flights or less.
How common is it to give tip money to airline crew?
31 Jan 2015
at 13:33
rfergusonParticipantThat was a nice gesture Schaible. People are always very quick to complain about poor service but can be very slow to compliment good service. By compliment I don’t mean a tip, but it doesn’t take a lot to log onto an airlines website and send a compliment saying ‘xxxx on my flight today went the extra mile blah blah’. At BA we do get notified of these compliments and it goes on our personal file. It’s always a nice feeling.
It is really, really rare to be tipped as crew. In near 20 years of flying it’s happened to me thrice.
Years ago on some of the mid east routes when we would carry wealthy arabs in F, they would buy each of the F crew and the CSD a gift from the duty free. Seldom happens these days though.
31 Jan 2015
at 14:05
MartinJParticipantJust as I complain about poor service I also write complimentary letters to employers if their staff have delivered outstanding service. I assume this helps more than 20 dollars and it saves me the embarrassment of handing over cash to people for doing their job (however well it may have been performed).
31 Jan 2015
at 17:17
TheRealBabushkaParticipantI’d gladly tip if it would mean some of the grumpy bums on American Airlines long haul Business Class would smile and not treat people with such contempt. I’d also tip if they bothered to keep their galley tidy and freshen the lavatories ever so often!
There are some rotten apples that give the team a bad name!
1 Feb 2015
at 20:38
LuganoPirateParticipantI’ve never tipped crew, I thought it was forbidden to do so, but I do write letters (never emails) of thanks if the flight has been really special.
1 Feb 2015
at 22:00
Carajillo2SugarParticipantLuganoP – agreed. For gawds sake, let’s not start tipping cabin-crew! That’s really not something I want to see – if you’re happy with the service, just say thank-you as you disembark and/or write to the airline to express your gratitude. Once we start tipping who knows where it will lead? The last thing I want to see is airline blankets sculpted into swans when I return from the khazi…..
1 Feb 2015
at 23:33
BAfanaticParticipantCarajillo2Sugar,
Agreed – “For gawds sake, let’s not start tipping cabin-crew!”
Here’s a scenario – I’m flying from Terminal 5 tomorrow and will tip the Heathrow Express ticket agent, staff on board the Heathrow Express, check-in agent at T5, T5 security, all BA lounge staff, all flight attendants, and both pilots.
2 Feb 2015
at 05:19
travelsforfunParticipantI was once asked for a “tip” passing transfer security in Cairo, does that count? 🙂 The request was withdrawn as soon as another passenger entered and we were no longer alone…
But back to the question in hand – let’s not export American tipping practices. Cabin crew are professionals like any other and should be paid like any other professional. A gift is something different – and a nice touch – but I find wadges of notes a little vulgar.
Personally, I will try and let the the airline know online (though some give impression that they take it more seriously than others).
2 Feb 2015
at 08:40
LuganoPirateParticipantTipping would also make then seem more like restaurant serving staff than the pro’s they are. Then imagine it goes the US way where you’re expected to add 20% to the fare rounded up? That’s then divided so the Purser, Captain and First Officer get a cut. Next thing you know ground crew say without us the plane can’t fly and they then demand a cut, so the service charge expectation hits 30%. If you don’t tip you’ll mysteriously trip down the stairs or your bags won’t arrive!!!
Next they’ll adopt the continental way where service is added and it will be put as an extra charge with the airline taking a cut to administer it.
Finally, the Government seeing they are losing out will tax it so they get their cut as well.
Please, NO!
2 Feb 2015
at 08:51
canuckladParticipantTotally agree ……No tipping……The much lauded customer service I’ve experienced in the U.S. is indeed overall consistently better than elsewhere. But I find it all rather false, and ironically tipping has become almost compulsory across the pond.
Great customer service comes from the heart not the need to supplement your wage
And you’re right LP, where will it stop ? I can just see a busybody serial organiser of a passenger walking down the aisle, menacingly tapping you on your shoulder demanding ” money for the driver” !!
2 Feb 2015
at 09:07 -
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