Grumpy bartender in the SFO United Club
Oct 5, 2012, 6:40 am
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
Oct 5, 2012, 6:40 am
#32
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Programs: UA-1k, 1mm, Marriott-LT Platinum, Hertz-Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,355
I believe lounges need bartenders because of state liquor laws saying it can't be self served. Am I wrong? I don't even drink so it makes no difference to me, but I believe it to be why lounges in airports need bartenders.
Oct 5, 2012, 6:41 am
#33
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,662
I always tip after the first pour. Who knows if I'll go back. No excuse for slamming beers down, but who knows what she is going through.
Oct 5, 2012, 7:00 am
#34
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,813
I realize the 'tip a dollar per drink' is fairly common, but it sure seems like that is a large tip considering how little time the bartender spends pouring a drink. Depending on the crowd, a bartender could serve hundreds of drinks per shift.
If the bartender provides good service or is cute, I tip. If not, I see no reason to pay $1 for a grumpy person to reach into a fridge and hand me a beer.
The other issue is that of all the people that affect my lounge visit, the bartender is usually the least important one for me. I would much rather reward the person who cleans the toilets, clears the tables, or an agent who helps me with a reservation. Unless the bartender is great/awful, I don't much care.
If the bartender provides good service or is cute, I tip. If not, I see no reason to pay $1 for a grumpy person to reach into a fridge and hand me a beer.
The other issue is that of all the people that affect my lounge visit, the bartender is usually the least important one for me. I would much rather reward the person who cleans the toilets, clears the tables, or an agent who helps me with a reservation. Unless the bartender is great/awful, I don't much care.
Last edited by will2288; Oct 5, 2012 at 7:16 am
Oct 5, 2012, 7:02 am
#35
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Programs: Former 1KMM now free as UA Gold MM, former HH D, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,121
Except it is self serve in the United First Lounge, at least in ORD and IAD.
Oct 5, 2012, 7:08 am
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,314
Right thing to do???? Says who??
As someone said, I am not giving anyone a dollar who is grumpy and all they do is reach into a fridge and get me a beer. How is that going above and beyond? Its their JOB. Whats next, I am gonna tip the lounge dragon for scanning my boarding pass?
Oct 5, 2012, 7:19 am
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,029
I thought that the UA Club bartenders were paid proper wages, ie. not serving staff wages - I think this has been established in many threads already.
Right thing to do???? Says who??
As someone said, I am not giving anyone a dollar who is grumpy and all they do is reach into a fridge and get me a beer. How is that going above and beyond? Its their JOB. Whats next, I am gonna tip the lounge dragon for scanning my boarding pass?
Right thing to do???? Says who??
As someone said, I am not giving anyone a dollar who is grumpy and all they do is reach into a fridge and get me a beer. How is that going above and beyond? Its their JOB. Whats next, I am gonna tip the lounge dragon for scanning my boarding pass?
Do those lounges allow minors?
Last edited by iluv2fly; Oct 5, 2012 at 7:43 am Reason: merge
Oct 5, 2012, 7:27 am
#38
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ORD
Programs: Hertz Presidents, UA Plat, IHG Plat, MR Plat, HH Gold
Posts: 423
Once you're on the plane, do you tip your FA when they get you a drink?
Oct 5, 2012, 7:36 am
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SJC, SFO, YYC
Programs: AA-EXP, AA-0.41MM, UA-Gold, Ex UA-1K (2006 thru 2015), PMUA-0.95MM, COUA-1.5MM-lite, AF-Silver
Posts: 13,437
Oct 5, 2012, 7:39 am
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
Interest point. That might change around the dynamics of an MR.
Oct 5, 2012, 7:44 am
#41
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: MEL
Programs: VAG
Posts: 1,865
I thought that the UA Club bartenders were paid proper wages, ie. not serving staff wages - I think this has been established in many threads already.
Right thing to do???? Says who??
As someone said, I am not giving anyone a dollar who is grumpy and all they do is reach into a fridge and get me a beer. How is that going above and beyond? Its their JOB. Whats next, I am gonna tip the lounge dragon for scanning my boarding pass?
Right thing to do???? Says who??
As someone said, I am not giving anyone a dollar who is grumpy and all they do is reach into a fridge and get me a beer. How is that going above and beyond? Its their JOB. Whats next, I am gonna tip the lounge dragon for scanning my boarding pass?
If you choose to remain in the United States of America, though, follow the nonsensical local customs and leave pointless and substantial tips for certain classes of service workers while completely ignoring all the others.
Oct 5, 2012, 7:49 am
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,314
Oct 5, 2012, 8:27 am
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SEA or BGR, Lower Earth Orbit
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 17,217
if it's a "bottle" drink i don't. if it is a mixed drink i always do. the future ones seem to be a touch stronger after that. Although at a regular bar after the first drink i leave a fairly substantial tip and then never seem to have a problem getting drinks strong and quickly. I am not above willing to bribe.
Oct 5, 2012, 8:30 am
#44
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Posts: 9,456
It's not common to tip in any airport lounge outside the United States, as much I'm aware. Given this is an international airport and a lot of people visiting the lounge won't be used to us-american tipping system, the bartenders definitely should NOT expect any tips, or be unfriendly to lounge guests if he doesn't get any.