Do you tip Flight attendants?
Aug 9, 2001 | 11:46 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Orlando,London, Chennai.
Programs: AAdvantage EXP& 2Million miler, Skywards Gold, Delta Gold Medallion, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,598
Do you tip Flight attendants?
I am very new to the American tip culture and have strong opinions about it. One group of persons who render me service of outstanding quality are FLIGHT ATTENDANTS (May be a small percentage) and I would like to know whether anybody tips them in cash or kind?
I do not any difference in thisto tipping cruise staff and tour staff
(Reposted as advised)
I do not any difference in thisto tipping cruise staff and tour staff
(Reposted as advised)
Aug 9, 2001 | 12:03 pm
#2
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Escondido CA USA
Programs: AS, UA, HY, Hil, Merr
Posts: 3,332
No better way to "tip" a FA than to send a letter to the airlines acknowleging the good service provider.
I was known at AS a long time ago as one who often brought a rose or similar and handed out along the way...from baggage check thru to the end of the flight. If no one seemed to deserve it (only once) I gave it someone at SEATAC just sitting on a bench.
Occasionally I have overheard a "date" being made for drinks after the flight, but that begins a whole new discussion.
I was known at AS a long time ago as one who often brought a rose or similar and handed out along the way...from baggage check thru to the end of the flight. If no one seemed to deserve it (only once) I gave it someone at SEATAC just sitting on a bench.
Occasionally I have overheard a "date" being made for drinks after the flight, but that begins a whole new discussion.
Aug 9, 2001 | 1:07 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP Gold
Posts: 1,093
When I lived in Cincinnati and was flying regularly out of CVG as a non-rev on DL, I would often bring the then-famous (still famous?) popcorn from the "country store" in the airport to the FAs, who always loved the treat. Years later, commuting weekly between ORD and MSY on AA, I would occasionally bring little treats on board just because the FAs and I all knew each other, but I have never offered a monetary gratuity to any FA. I agree with ranles...the best "tip" you can offer is a letter of commendation sent to the airline.
Aug 9, 2001 | 3:31 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: (SNA) Orange County, California USA
Posts: 3,641
I'm very pro-gratuity but I've never tipped flight attendants because I've always been under the impression that it is not appropriate. I have on occasion given them "Above & Beyond" certificates, written letters of praise and/or discreetly offered a box of chocolates or a souvenir to a few exceptional flight attendants.
My first job was a "Boxboys and Carry-out Personnel Receive No Pay Except Your Tips" remuneration. I'll never forget the exact wording of those signs, even though nearly forty years (four decades) have come and gone. However, I feel that a "Gratuities Gladly Accepted" policy in the air would not be feasible, especially at a time when service and amenities are perceived to have decreased. Would we tip for all drinks, only alcoholic beverages, meal service, snack service or a glass of water? Or what about requests such as a blanket, pillow or headset? And if not, why not? Or assistance with carry-on luggage or those special requests??? To tip or not to tip, that is the question.
Where would it begin, where would it end? I just don't know!
There would be animosity from both the passengers and the flight attendants. The passengers for being expected to tip and the flight attendants that didn't receive the expected gratuities from the passengers they serve and protect. Would the flight attendants have to share a portion of their gratuities with ground service personnel that stocked these items or with the purser? Restaurant wait staff typically have to share their tips with the bus staff and sometimes even with the chefs or the owner! It would just invite an attitude problem for everyone involved in this equation. And it may take much more than an attitude adjustment to remedy.
I believe strongly in doing the right thing for the situation I am in. I always try to follow the behavior and culturally accepted values of the country, location or area, at that given moment, regardless of what the norm is in my home country.
Flight attendants deserve to be better compensated. Tipping is not the solution.
My first job was a "Boxboys and Carry-out Personnel Receive No Pay Except Your Tips" remuneration. I'll never forget the exact wording of those signs, even though nearly forty years (four decades) have come and gone. However, I feel that a "Gratuities Gladly Accepted" policy in the air would not be feasible, especially at a time when service and amenities are perceived to have decreased. Would we tip for all drinks, only alcoholic beverages, meal service, snack service or a glass of water? Or what about requests such as a blanket, pillow or headset? And if not, why not? Or assistance with carry-on luggage or those special requests??? To tip or not to tip, that is the question.
Where would it begin, where would it end? I just don't know!
There would be animosity from both the passengers and the flight attendants. The passengers for being expected to tip and the flight attendants that didn't receive the expected gratuities from the passengers they serve and protect. Would the flight attendants have to share a portion of their gratuities with ground service personnel that stocked these items or with the purser? Restaurant wait staff typically have to share their tips with the bus staff and sometimes even with the chefs or the owner! It would just invite an attitude problem for everyone involved in this equation. And it may take much more than an attitude adjustment to remedy.
I believe strongly in doing the right thing for the situation I am in. I always try to follow the behavior and culturally accepted values of the country, location or area, at that given moment, regardless of what the norm is in my home country.
Flight attendants deserve to be better compensated. Tipping is not the solution.
Aug 9, 2001 | 4:21 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Orlando,London, Chennai.
Programs: AAdvantage EXP& 2Million miler, Skywards Gold, Delta Gold Medallion, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,598
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MRLIMO:
I'm very pro-gratuity but I've never tipped flight attendants because I've always been under the impression that it is not appropriate. I have on occasion given them "Above & Beyond" certificates, written letters of praise and/or discreetly offered a box of chocolates or a souvenir to a few exceptional flight attendants.
My first job was a "Boxboys and Carry-out Personnel Receive No Pay Except Your Tips" remuneration. I'll never forget the exact wording of those signs, even though nearly forty years (four decades) have come and gone. However, I feel that a "Gratuities Gladly Accepted" policy in the air would not be feasible, especially at a time when service and amenities are perceived to have decreased. Would we tip for all drinks, only alcoholic beverages, meal service, snack service or a glass of water? Or what about requests such as a blanket, pillow or headset? And if not, why not? Or assistance with carry-on luggage or those special requests??? To tip or not to tip, that is the question.
Where would it begin, where would it end? I just don't know!
There would be animosity from both the passengers and the flight attendants. The passengers for being expected to tip and the flight attendants that didn't receive the expected gratuities from the passengers they serve and protect. Would the flight attendants have to share a portion of their gratuities with ground service personnel that stocked these items or with the purser? Restaurant wait staff typically have to share their tips with the bus staff and sometimes even with the chefs or the owner! It would just invite an attitude problem for everyone involved in this equation. And it may take much more than an attitude adjustment to remedy.
I believe strongly in doing the right thing for the situation I am in. I always try to follow the behavior and culturally accepted values of the country, location or area, at that given moment, regardless of what the norm is in my home country.
Flight attendants deserve to be better compensated. Tipping is not the solution.</font>
I'm very pro-gratuity but I've never tipped flight attendants because I've always been under the impression that it is not appropriate. I have on occasion given them "Above & Beyond" certificates, written letters of praise and/or discreetly offered a box of chocolates or a souvenir to a few exceptional flight attendants.
My first job was a "Boxboys and Carry-out Personnel Receive No Pay Except Your Tips" remuneration. I'll never forget the exact wording of those signs, even though nearly forty years (four decades) have come and gone. However, I feel that a "Gratuities Gladly Accepted" policy in the air would not be feasible, especially at a time when service and amenities are perceived to have decreased. Would we tip for all drinks, only alcoholic beverages, meal service, snack service or a glass of water? Or what about requests such as a blanket, pillow or headset? And if not, why not? Or assistance with carry-on luggage or those special requests??? To tip or not to tip, that is the question.
Where would it begin, where would it end? I just don't know!
There would be animosity from both the passengers and the flight attendants. The passengers for being expected to tip and the flight attendants that didn't receive the expected gratuities from the passengers they serve and protect. Would the flight attendants have to share a portion of their gratuities with ground service personnel that stocked these items or with the purser? Restaurant wait staff typically have to share their tips with the bus staff and sometimes even with the chefs or the owner! It would just invite an attitude problem for everyone involved in this equation. And it may take much more than an attitude adjustment to remedy.
I believe strongly in doing the right thing for the situation I am in. I always try to follow the behavior and culturally accepted values of the country, location or area, at that given moment, regardless of what the norm is in my home country.
Flight attendants deserve to be better compensated. Tipping is not the solution.</font>
Aug 11, 2001 | 9:14 am
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 63,783
The tipping policy would be especially ugly since airlines fly to so many countries, some of which have no tradition in tipping or other gratuities for service.
Personally, flying AA means I get to hand out the SOS coupons as a thank-you to FAs and that's good enough for me. It's the way the airline has designated for the customer to recognize good service, which to me is what tipping is about.
Personally, flying AA means I get to hand out the SOS coupons as a thank-you to FAs and that's good enough for me. It's the way the airline has designated for the customer to recognize good service, which to me is what tipping is about.