I strongly believe in gratuities. I'm just thankful that it is not appropriate to tip Flight Attendants and that they are not part of that equation. I'd be in debtor's prison.

For exceptional service, a letter for their file never hurts.

Listened to some FAs in the galley once talking about the tips they'd been offered. They all adamantly asserted that they'd turned them down - on UA apparently accepting a cash gratuity is cause for disciplinary action. One of the FAs said she'd been offered USD100 and felt really conflicted about turning it down (as would most people I'm sure).

I made the mistake of giving an SOS to an AA FA in the middle of the flight. Geez, I got complete grief from the other FA's.

TIP... doesn't that sound like a virus?

[This message has been edited by FQTV (edited 11-11-2000).]

As a F/A, I'll chime in here.

We have a little joke between ourselves...under $20 is a tip (declined), over $20 is a gift!

But seriously, a letter is the best idea, but accompanied by something like chocolates is great. If I have to commute on holidays, I take Jelly Belly jellybeans for the cabin crews. One box each for the front and the back cabin, no matter where I'm sitting.

HK-UMICH, the AA SOS coupons seem to be sent out randomly to Gold and above AAdvantage members. Since I've become a less-than-Gold member I haven't received any and I received them about once a quarter when I was Gold. I sometimes forget to take them with me, but I did offer two to a great FA on a flight to Honolulu once. Just before we landed, she brought us a nearly full bottle of wine saying she'd have to throw it away otherwise. We accepted happily.

Northwest had- and may still have- a program called "Phantom". I was part of it twice during the last 14 years... each time for two years. Apparently only a small number of elite flyers were invited to paricipate at any one time. We received booklets of "Phantom" coupons... a maximum of 24 a year- that we could use to "reward" NW employees for exceptional service. They then turned these coupons in for significant awards. I think it was a very good idea, and should be far more widespread. While tips might be inappropriate or demeaning, some tangible ways of expressing appreciation for outstanding service ought to be available.