PC Tipping Protocol?
Apr 16, 2004 | 6:21 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Jersey City, NJ USA
Posts: 975
PC Tipping Protocol?
I recently joined the PC and was curious about protocol for tipping employees who help with reservations, standby, upgrades, and other matters. Should one base a tip on how much time/energy is expended? I was raised to always tip bartenders, so that's not an issue. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Apr 16, 2004 | 6:49 am
#2
Join Date: May 2003
Location: At This Point, Only G*d Knows!
Posts: 3,467
Personally, I have never tipped a PC agent or anybody else except the bar tender. I should note that I have also never noticed anybody else tipping the agents or cleaning crew.
If I am wrong in this, I would be curious also to see what others do or have done in the past.
If I am wrong in this, I would be curious also to see what others do or have done in the past.
Apr 16, 2004 | 6:54 am
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: new york, ny, usa
Posts: 13,536
i've only tipped the bartender. moreover, i would be inclined to tip the bartender even more if he were to put out some milanos, doritos, and/or biscotti. 
Apr 16, 2004 | 7:00 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA MM Plat; AA MM Gold; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 15,892
I tip the bartender a buck for EVERY drink, and I have been known to slip a five to one of the people who prowl around picking up glasses and trash. I've never tipped an agent, but I have told them that getting me an upgrade on a stanby flight has "made my day".
Apr 16, 2004 | 7:22 am
#5
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Central New Jersey
Programs: UA-Platimum 2 MM, HH-Gold, MR-Lifetime Gold, Hyatt-Discoverist
Posts: 6,238
A couple of years back I was doing a regular EWR/ATL & MDW weekly run and I got to know the staff at the PC in EWR terminal A pretty well. I brought in a big box of candy for them at Xmas and also a small gift for one of the women who had been particularly helpful.
PS- I too tip the bartender $1.00 for each glass of wine, but not for soft drinks.
PS- I too tip the bartender $1.00 for each glass of wine, but not for soft drinks.
Apr 16, 2004 | 7:32 am
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Potomac Falls, VA
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, MR Gold, Avis Pref
Posts: 41,109
Barkeep only
I'll tip the bartender $1.00 for each trip to the bar where I get a drink whether its one, two or three drinks.. never ordered more than that at once.. If i'm only getting a soft drink I don't tip.
I've never tipped anyone else in the PC
I've never tipped anyone else in the PC
Apr 16, 2004 | 8:02 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 4,330
I was regular at the EWR PC recently, just got moved to a project in ORD but instead of tipping for each drink I would leave a tip at the end. I did however sit at the bar the entire time and chat with Bobby & Jim. Instead of needing a pile of 1's on Thursday I would just wait till my flight was departing and then leave a $5 or $10 on the bar. My wine glass was ALWAYS full. I really don't know how many full glasses I would have because if someone else ordered a red wine they always brought the bottle over and topped off my glass.
The res agents and such IMHO are not tipped. Would you tip a ticket agent when checking your luggage?
The res agents and such IMHO are not tipped. Would you tip a ticket agent when checking your luggage?
Apr 16, 2004 | 9:02 am
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: new york, ny, usa
Posts: 13,536
i also tip for every alcoholic libation served but isn't a bit odd that the bartenders are the only ones tipped? an agent can give you a big help on a ticket (upgrade, routing, etc.), but they only get a thank you. the bartender, on the other hand, pours a few onces of beer into a glass and gets a buck every time.
do the agents make that much more $ so that they don't need tips? are the bartenders not Continental employees and, as such, don't get flight benefits? please advise.
do the agents make that much more $ so that they don't need tips? are the bartenders not Continental employees and, as such, don't get flight benefits? please advise.
Apr 16, 2004 | 9:36 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Jersey City, NJ USA
Posts: 975
Originally Posted by fly co to see the yanks
i also tip for every alcoholic libation served but isn't a bit odd that the bartenders are the only ones tipped? an agent can give you a big help on a ticket (upgrade, routing, etc.), but they only get a thank you. the bartender, on the other hand, pours a few onces of beer into a glass and gets a buck every time.
do the agents make that much more $ so that they don't need tips? are the bartenders not Continental employees and, as such, don't get flight benefits? please advise.
do the agents make that much more $ so that they don't need tips? are the bartenders not Continental employees and, as such, don't get flight benefits? please advise.
Apr 16, 2004 | 10:14 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: New York / Hawaii
Programs: UA Global Services, HH Diamond
Posts: 5,206
Tips
I usually tip $1 for each alcoholic beverage and $1 for every 2 non-alcoholic drinks.
As far as helpful agents, whether they're at the gate, the ticket counter, or the President's Club (or in the air), I don't "tip" them --but I do send in a compliment letter. I tell them that I'm sending in a letter and get their name/employee # and any other relevent info and send the letter within 7 days of service. I think that goes further then tipping an agent a few dollars for doing something EUA should have.
As far as helpful agents, whether they're at the gate, the ticket counter, or the President's Club (or in the air), I don't "tip" them --but I do send in a compliment letter. I tell them that I'm sending in a letter and get their name/employee # and any other relevent info and send the letter within 7 days of service. I think that goes further then tipping an agent a few dollars for doing something EUA should have.
Apr 16, 2004 | 10:19 am
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: GSP (Greenville, SC)
Programs: DL Gold Medallion; UA Premier Executive; WN sub-CP; AA sub-Gold
Posts: 13,393
Why would anyone tip in a club that you belong to? That doesn't make any sense.
Do you tip at an open bar at a private party, too?
Do you tip at an open bar at a private party, too?
Apr 16, 2004 | 10:41 am
#12
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Orlando, FL
Programs: UA 2mm 1K, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Diamond, National Executive , BA Gold, Spirit Gold
Posts: 307
Originally Posted by JS
Why would anyone tip in a club that you belong to? That doesn't make any sense.
Do you tip at an open bar at a private party, too?
Do you tip at an open bar at a private party, too?
I'm sure the bartenders will have a very special second drink for you after your first drink with no tip. TIPS (To Insure Proper Service).
Last edited by cbchicago; Apr 16, 2004 at 12:46 pm
Apr 16, 2004 | 10:49 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: USA
Programs: AA2, DL2, Amtrak2, US2, SPG1, MAR2
Posts: 2,566
I always tip at the first and third drink for $1 (assuming I have a $1 bill on me).
I rarely have 3 anyway, so its usually $1 for 1 or 2 drinks. I never get to the 4th or 5th so I dont know about what I would do beyond 3. Then again, on a delayed flight to my bachelor party connecting in CLE, I went well beyond 3 and tips approached the $20 range.
I rarely have 3 anyway, so its usually $1 for 1 or 2 drinks. I never get to the 4th or 5th so I dont know about what I would do beyond 3. Then again, on a delayed flight to my bachelor party connecting in CLE, I went well beyond 3 and tips approached the $20 range.
Apr 16, 2004 | 10:55 am
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: GSP (Greenville, SC)
Programs: DL Gold Medallion; UA Premier Executive; WN sub-CP; AA sub-Gold
Posts: 13,393
Originally Posted by cbchicago
I'm sure the bartenders will have a very special second drink for you after your first drink with no tip. TIPS (To Ensure Proper Service).
One time I went to a bar in PHL and had one beer. I stood there, waiting to pay my bill and watched the bartender having an extended conversation at the other end. Luckily I had a $5 note on me to pay my $4.95 bill. Slow service deserves a nickel tip.
However, this was a regular bar where tipping for good service is expected. My question was referring to a club to which you belong -- not a guest, but a paying member. Why is tipping necessary at a club?
Apr 16, 2004 | 11:10 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Jersey City, NJ USA
Posts: 975
Originally Posted by JS
TIPS stands for "To Insure Prompt Service".
My question was referring to a club to which you belong -- not a guest, but a paying member. Why is tipping necessary at a club?
My question was referring to a club to which you belong -- not a guest, but a paying member. Why is tipping necessary at a club?
And I think you're right, JS. I'm curious why we don't refer to salaried waitstaff and bartenders in Europe who do not rely on tips as earning TIBS (To Insure Bad Service).
Last edited by Tod E Tosser; Apr 16, 2004 at 11:13 am