catbox9

So this is probably a pretty obvious question but I wasn't finding much on google/here so I thought I'd post.

I haven't really been much of a flyer until the last year or so and now I fly a lot and have status and go into airline lounges all the time and noticed that the glasses/silverware is pretty cool. The not-quite-kleptomaniac in me wants to steal these items, but I'm sure that's pretty frowned upon so I haven't actually stolen anything. Thoughts?

thomas199023

If you have friends over to your house do you think it is normal if they take your silverware home?

CloseToTheSEA

Go with your first instinct on this one.

catbox9

Well of course not. Still, the stuff is pretty cool. I'm not going to steal it but I'm sitting in a Lufthansa lounge right now and can't help but notice how nice the stuff is.


With that said, if for some reason one of the employees suggested I steal the stuff, I'd be all over it.

Renaldo

Perhaps the definition of "steal" might help you decide

steal, stole, sto·len, steal·ing, noun.
verb (used with object)
1. to take (the property of another or others) without permission or right, especially secretly or by force: A pickpocket stole his watch.
2. to take, get, or win insidiously, surreptitiously, subtly, or by chance: He stole my girlfriend.

Apieinthesky

I'm not sure if this is a related question, but I'm wondering if anyone has managed to score some minis of alcohol from the FAs? Or more specifically, would they give you alcohol if they knew you didn't intend to drink it onboard?

I've done it once on a 2.5 hour flight in domestic F, when the FA served my drink with 2 minis and I only finished one before dinner. I had some wine during dinner, and something else after. I pocketed the unopened mini and took it home.

worldtraveller73

If you are flying lots, the last thing I would personally want to look at would be the silverware / glassware from my last business class meal.

I don't need to be reminded of he amount of time I spent away from home- that's what travel photos are for

pinniped

In the US, I have heard FA's say that liquor must be consumed onboard. Seems reasonable, as that's the way liquor licenses work in most states, although I have no idea if it's true with FAA regulations. (I realize that some places have bars that also have package licenses.)

But I've also had an FA slip an entire bottle of sparkling wine into my carry-on upon arrival in Hawaii during our honeymoon. Was that illegal? It was obvious to the FA that I was terminating in Hawaii, if that matters at all.

In any case, I don't think it's one of those things that's policed hard unless you're rapidly crushing doubles and the FA notices he/she's only picking up one bottle each time.


To the OP, no, I would not boost silverware from a lounge. That sounds like something I would have done at high school prom.

clacko

i have taken an apple and or breakfast bar from the club on occasion & do have an aa mug....probably petty theft, but i can sleep at night...

going way back when the attaboy/girl hand outs started at aa, i gave one to each of the 3 fa's & they gave me a barf bag full of booze...probably late 80's....

braniff ran a commercial about taking stuff off the plane which showed a lady going too far & driving a tug pulling the plane while wrapped in a blanket used as a shawl.....it showed people taking stuff off iirc....

a friend & coworker had about 40 different mini coffee spoons circa 1975 from different carriers which he later put in a shadow box....

edit to add....in august on my 80th bday i got an ug on the way to shoot doves in argentina.....i asked the fa if she would save 2 glenlivets for me on my bd....and i was served 2 & on the way out she gave me 2 more...

You want to go where?

If an employee gives you a mini on the plane which you do not consume, but take with you,it isn't stealing. It may be a violation of local liquor laws, but it was given to you with the express understanding that you would consume it.

If an employee gives you a bottle of champagne at the end of your flight, it may be stealing by the employee, but it should not be up to the passenger to understand what the employee is permitted to do on behalf of the airline.

If you walk off with the flatware, it is stealing.

Yaatri

I was offered some by a nice FA so that I could have a drink while I waited for my next flight. I told him I didn't need one as I could always go the lounge if I needed a drink.

nrr

Most airlines leave a "Skymall Catalog" in the seat pocket--on the catalog it says something like "feel free to take it with you" (so if you take it, you are not stealing). I would assume the airlines own magazine is free to take off the plane.
So, should I assume that except for these two, anything else one takes is stealing.(?)
When I fly in business class/fc (particularly on intl. flts.) they leave a small bottle of water, what I haven't finished on the plane, I take with me, so I have water to drink on my way to my hotel, home etc.--am I stealing?

Jimmy O's

VS once had (although I have heard they are coming back) little silver salt and pepper shakers in the shape of airplanes. On the bottom is stamped "Pinched from Virgin Atlantic."

I have taken these but feel a little less guilty since the FAs will gladly put them in a plastic bag (so you dont spill salt all over your carry-on) for you if you ask nicely.

thomdis

Yes - those make nice gifts for people who like to travel. I've asked for (and received) a handful of them upon request and the end of several flights in UC.

Short of something similarly consumable or disposable, I think taking anything from a plane or lounge is stealing.

NM

If the airline intends to reuse the item (i.e. metal cutlery, glassware etc), then it should remain with the airline. If they have no intention of reusing it (such as a plastic cup, plastic cutlery) then take it if you really want it. Most times the airlines do reuse pillows, blankets, headphones (unless purchased by the passenger) so those things should remain on board.