Be Proactive - Give Your Gate Agents a Gift Card
May 15, 2017, 6:53 am
#91
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ATL
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt LT DM, Wyndham DM, Hertz PC, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,038
Expecting customers to pay 20% on top so that the waiters can make a living. Tipping is done pretty much everywhere (except for some parts of Asia), but it reaches new levels of absurdity here in the US.
Rather than offering employees sufficient pay and factoring in these costs into their prices, we got somewhat stuck to the idea that we pay for food and separately for the service.
I don't mind tipping, but I think that we lost the idea behind it. Rather than rewarding excellent service, it has become an expectation of staff to get tip. IMO they should just pay decent wages so that they don't have to impose 20% service charges and leave it to customers to reward good service.
Rather than offering employees sufficient pay and factoring in these costs into their prices, we got somewhat stuck to the idea that we pay for food and separately for the service.
I don't mind tipping, but I think that we lost the idea behind it. Rather than rewarding excellent service, it has become an expectation of staff to get tip. IMO they should just pay decent wages so that they don't have to impose 20% service charges and leave it to customers to reward good service.
Wait staff in the US it has just been that way. Not sure why/when it was implanted if I am honest. And yes in Japan didn't tip anywhere. Knew not to and no one expected it. AND we had exceptional service everywhere.
Jul 11, 2017, 9:30 am
#92
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Programs: AA, HH, UA, Amtrak
Posts: 270
Jul 11, 2017, 9:34 am
#93
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,808
Given all the disruptions lately and pissy passengers, perhaps an act of kindness beforehand can prevent another incident where everyone is ultimately inconvenienced.
Thoughts....?
https://www.travelcodex.com/2017/04/...ou-to-do-this/
Thoughts....?
https://www.travelcodex.com/2017/04/...ou-to-do-this/
Jul 11, 2017, 6:04 pm
#94
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
If I traveled the same flight on a weekly basis and interacted with the same GA, I don't think it would be out of line to bring them a cup of coffee every now and then, especially if I were waiting to be upgraded.
Jul 12, 2017, 2:31 am
#95
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,719
I pay the airline for the ticket. I pay the government's taxes. I pay the airline again for an upgrade or checked bag or early boarding. I pay my credit card issuer for miles. I pay the airport commission via local taxes. I pay absurd prices for airport food and drink to further subsidize the travel ecosystem. I pay TSA for marginally faster / less insane security screening. And now some blogger thinks I ought to "pay" airline employees on top of their salaries and benefits because "they have a hard job," whose parameters were set by the airline I already paid.
No.
And if we all set out to tip everyone in our daily lives who "has a hard job", the streets would be awash in Starbucks gift cards. Starbucks baristas have a hard job. Maybe we should give them Starbucks gift cards too.
No.
And if we all set out to tip everyone in our daily lives who "has a hard job", the streets would be awash in Starbucks gift cards. Starbucks baristas have a hard job. Maybe we should give them Starbucks gift cards too.
Jul 12, 2017, 7:39 am
#96
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Executive Club (Silver), Le Club Accor (Silver)
Posts: 680
No. No. Just no. The tipping culture is already out of control in the US and I'm disappointed to see it spreading here in the UK too. It's becoming really common for pubs here in London to have tip jars adorned with smiley faces and jokey phrases and I've even seen tip saucers in Starbucks.
Yesterday, while seeing someone off at Heathrow, the American couple printing their baggage tags at the adjacent machine tried to tip the United agent £10 just for spending a minute or two showing them how it worked. Thankfully, the agent was firm and explained gently and professionally that she was adequately compensated for her job and tipping was neither expected nor allowed.
Saying that, I do have an old Sainsbury's gift card at home. Perhaps I should give it to the driver of the number 13 bus I catch to work tomorrow morning....?
Yesterday, while seeing someone off at Heathrow, the American couple printing their baggage tags at the adjacent machine tried to tip the United agent £10 just for spending a minute or two showing them how it worked. Thankfully, the agent was firm and explained gently and professionally that she was adequately compensated for her job and tipping was neither expected nor allowed.
Saying that, I do have an old Sainsbury's gift card at home. Perhaps I should give it to the driver of the number 13 bus I catch to work tomorrow morning....?