Be Proactive - Give Your Gate Agents a Gift Card
Apr 28, 2017, 1:45 pm
#46
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: New York, New York
Programs: AA Gold, Alaska MVP; Free Agent Super Duper Diamond Treasure Chest ;)
Posts: 4,682
You know what is so incredible? How this story circulated its way around social media --- and the response was overwhelmingly positive.
You call it, "just doing their job." Okay, great. Ever read a copy of the Southwest magazine where it has letters written from passengers to the airline about ways in which its EMPLOYEES (not the airline, or the business, or its business model, but its PEOPLE on the frontline) have gone above and beyond to save a situation, a trip, a life even (of humans and pets) so that people can stay connected to what is meaningful in their lives.
You call it bribery. Free handouts. Trophies for participation. Opens up greed and a can of worms.
Who hurt you guys?!
Maybe try and remember, from time to time, that there are still good people in this world. And, in the airline industry, plenty of good people who are so passionate about the work that they do. And, how just like you have a tough day sometimes, maybe for them, it can be tough to smile a little more when they're overwhelmed.
I'm sorry that the suggestion of injecting some positive energy in the world resulted in all of you becoming intensely hostile. Clearly, most of you would rather choose the short-term sugar high of beating the idea down before even giving it a try. Holding onto resentment and bitterness is so much more exhausting than being open-minded.
Really so sorry to bother all of you with the repugnant concept of learning to think beyond yourselves.
You call it, "just doing their job." Okay, great. Ever read a copy of the Southwest magazine where it has letters written from passengers to the airline about ways in which its EMPLOYEES (not the airline, or the business, or its business model, but its PEOPLE on the frontline) have gone above and beyond to save a situation, a trip, a life even (of humans and pets) so that people can stay connected to what is meaningful in their lives.
You call it bribery. Free handouts. Trophies for participation. Opens up greed and a can of worms.
Who hurt you guys?!
Maybe try and remember, from time to time, that there are still good people in this world. And, in the airline industry, plenty of good people who are so passionate about the work that they do. And, how just like you have a tough day sometimes, maybe for them, it can be tough to smile a little more when they're overwhelmed.
I'm sorry that the suggestion of injecting some positive energy in the world resulted in all of you becoming intensely hostile. Clearly, most of you would rather choose the short-term sugar high of beating the idea down before even giving it a try. Holding onto resentment and bitterness is so much more exhausting than being open-minded.
Really so sorry to bother all of you with the repugnant concept of learning to think beyond yourselves.
Apr 29, 2017, 11:55 pm
#49
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Join Date: May 2012
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May 1, 2017, 2:42 pm
#50
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: Amex Platinum, Amex HHonors Surpass, HHonors Gold
Posts: 207
If such feedback never actually makes its way back to them, then how do they know such feedback was left in the first place?
May 1, 2017, 3:03 pm
#51
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
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But hey, I'm super stoked that "social media" loved the idea.
May 1, 2017, 3:36 pm
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
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Posts: 16,272
If you want to add Gate Agents to your holiday gift list along with your postal carrier, that's one thing. To suggest that many passengers should just start showering airline staff with gift cards is another matter.
That's not to say you can't find the time and the opportunity to work in some everyday kindness. I was at SDF last night and a GA had visibly been run ragged all day long by IROPS. After rebooking the guy in front of me, he asked if he could get her anything. First reaction was a quick and automatic no, but he persisted that he was off to get himself a snack and drink anyway. A crack in the armor, and the GA quietly admitted a bottle of water would be fantastic. A few minutes later he returned with one for him and one for her, for which she was grateful.
Take care of your fellow humans when they need it. Don't create a monster by habitualizing unnecessary gestures when they don't.
That's not to say you can't find the time and the opportunity to work in some everyday kindness. I was at SDF last night and a GA had visibly been run ragged all day long by IROPS. After rebooking the guy in front of me, he asked if he could get her anything. First reaction was a quick and automatic no, but he persisted that he was off to get himself a snack and drink anyway. A crack in the armor, and the GA quietly admitted a bottle of water would be fantastic. A few minutes later he returned with one for him and one for her, for which she was grateful.
Take care of your fellow humans when they need it. Don't create a monster by habitualizing unnecessary gestures when they don't.
May 1, 2017, 8:02 pm
#53
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Join Date: Mar 2013
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Posts: 10,130
May 1, 2017, 8:21 pm
#54
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: HH Diamond, GHA Titanium
Posts: 1,961
I have meetings with a half dozen colleagues today. Shall I hand each of them a gift certificate before the meetings start?
After work I'm thinking of going shopping for a new pair of headphones. Shall I give the salesperson a gift certificate before asking him/her for recommendations?
May 1, 2017, 10:45 pm
#55
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
Programs: No programs & No Points!!!
Posts: 14,222
When I woke up today, I took a train to work. Should I have knocked on the driver's door and handed him a gift certificate?
I have meetings with a half dozen colleagues today. Shall I hand each of them a gift certificate before the meetings start?
After work I'm thinking of going shopping for a new pair of headphones. Shall I give the salesperson a gift certificate before asking him/her for recommendations?
I have meetings with a half dozen colleagues today. Shall I hand each of them a gift certificate before the meetings start?
After work I'm thinking of going shopping for a new pair of headphones. Shall I give the salesperson a gift certificate before asking him/her for recommendations?
May 2, 2017, 1:58 am
#56
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: K+K
Programs: *G
Posts: 4,866
Remember - "play the ball, not the player."
Everyone is free to contribute their own points of view and opinions. Disagreement is totally fine, but personal attacks will not be tolerated. Please help keep the thread on-topic, engaging, and constructive. Thanks for your help and cooperation!
/Moderator
Everyone is free to contribute their own points of view and opinions. Disagreement is totally fine, but personal attacks will not be tolerated. Please help keep the thread on-topic, engaging, and constructive. Thanks for your help and cooperation!
/Moderator
May 2, 2017, 3:47 am
#57
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: KBL
Programs: FB Gold - M&S Gold
Posts: 279
You know what is so incredible? How this story circulated its way around social media --- and the response was overwhelmingly positive.
You call it, "just doing their job." Okay, great. Ever read a copy of the Southwest magazine where it has letters written from passengers to the airline about ways in which its EMPLOYEES (not the airline, or the business, or its business model, but its PEOPLE on the frontline) have gone above and beyond to save a situation, a trip, a life even (of humans and pets) so that people can stay connected to what is meaningful in their lives.
You call it bribery. Free handouts. Trophies for participation. Opens up greed and a can of worms.
Who hurt you guys?!
Maybe try and remember, from time to time, that there are still good people in this world. And, in the airline industry, plenty of good people who are so passionate about the work that they do. And, how just like you have a tough day sometimes, maybe for them, it can be tough to smile a little more when they're overwhelmed.
I'm sorry that the suggestion of injecting some positive energy in the world resulted in all of you becoming intensely hostile. Clearly, most of you would rather choose the short-term sugar high of beating the idea down before even giving it a try. Holding onto resentment and bitterness is so much more exhausting than being open-minded.
Really so sorry to bother all of you with the repugnant concept of learning to think beyond yourselves.
You call it, "just doing their job." Okay, great. Ever read a copy of the Southwest magazine where it has letters written from passengers to the airline about ways in which its EMPLOYEES (not the airline, or the business, or its business model, but its PEOPLE on the frontline) have gone above and beyond to save a situation, a trip, a life even (of humans and pets) so that people can stay connected to what is meaningful in their lives.
You call it bribery. Free handouts. Trophies for participation. Opens up greed and a can of worms.
Who hurt you guys?!
Maybe try and remember, from time to time, that there are still good people in this world. And, in the airline industry, plenty of good people who are so passionate about the work that they do. And, how just like you have a tough day sometimes, maybe for them, it can be tough to smile a little more when they're overwhelmed.
I'm sorry that the suggestion of injecting some positive energy in the world resulted in all of you becoming intensely hostile. Clearly, most of you would rather choose the short-term sugar high of beating the idea down before even giving it a try. Holding onto resentment and bitterness is so much more exhausting than being open-minded.
Really so sorry to bother all of you with the repugnant concept of learning to think beyond yourselves.
May 2, 2017, 7:19 am
#59
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: At the moment? ...
Programs: DL DM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 377
So, you want to extend the "tipping" scam in the US to airline staff too? If generalised that's just going to give airlines another reason to pay less wages and gate agents to treat you poorly until you coughed up a gift card. I don't mind you handing out gift cards, but that just treats the symptoms rather than the cause of the problem.
My advice
My advice
- To airlines: Treat your personnel like humans and have them treat customers like humans and you won't have angry customers.
- To customers: Let staff know if they did a great job. I had many very friendly F/As on US airlines and really appreciated their service. It won't cost you anything and may make someone else happy.
No, I am not 'tipping' GAs, FAs, pilots, or phone agents.
I regularly ask for employee names and ID #s so I can send an email to the airline specifically naming the employee and what they've done. That has included a phone agent who stuck with it for 45 minutes and got my problem sorted out.
DL used to give their Platinum flyers three 'job well done' certificates to commend employees on the spot. My only issue with that was that almost by definition, a Platinum flyer encounters a fair number of DL employees. IME, three certificates were never enough, and I constantly had to apologize to employees for 'only' being able to submit positive feedback.
I regularly ask for employee names and ID #s so I can send an email to the airline specifically naming the employee and what they've done. That has included a phone agent who stuck with it for 45 minutes and got my problem sorted out.
DL used to give their Platinum flyers three 'job well done' certificates to commend employees on the spot. My only issue with that was that almost by definition, a Platinum flyer encounters a fair number of DL employees. IME, three certificates were never enough, and I constantly had to apologize to employees for 'only' being able to submit positive feedback.
May 2, 2017, 7:25 am
#60
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: At the moment? ...
Programs: DL DM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 377
Just when you try to be nice to a group of folks who never catch a break...
