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Galley Gossip: A question about tipping flight attendants
As a chronic over tipper in restaurants I've always been a bit confused when on a plane. While very occasionally an attendant will accept a tip, most often they move off before you can even try. Sometimes they outright won't accept a tip. I've been in union jobs where the union disallows tipping in order to get a higher wage. Is this the case? I tip at the very least a dollar a drink at a bar, and I figure an attendant deserves even more than that. What gives?
Cliff F.
Before I can address Cliff's question about tipping flight attendants, I have to say that I want you, Cliff, on one of my flights! Please let me know when you're traveling again and I'll trade onto the trip. Why? Because you sound nice. Because good passengers make good trips. Trust me, I'm not saying this because you're a big tipper, but because you understand the plight of the working class. As for your question about tipping on flights, flight attendants, at least the ones at my airline, are not supposed to accept tips. Why aren't we allowed to accept tips? I'm not sure - exactly. But my guess is it has something to do with the higher wage flight attendants make opposed to other service industry workers, like Cliff mentioned. Even though I do not accept tips (it's my job to serve you that drink!), that tip, the one I did not accept, is greatly appreciated. So thank you, Cliff, for thinking of me. And I'll be looking for you on my next flight.
Heather Poole
Filed under: Food and Drink, Airlines, Galley Gossip
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
Fran Jul 25th 2008 1:47AM
As a flight attendant for a legacy carrier, we are not "allowed" to accept tips. However, some do,some don't and if one does, there are creative ways around it. Personally, I don't feel like the extra money is worth the risk of losing my job. I also consider my job to be that of a safety professional. Every year that I attend RET (emergency training required of flight attendants yearly), I am reminded of that. Serving customers is secondary and I just don't feel tips are appropriate (not that there is anything wrong with the service industry-it is just not my primary job responsibility, and, by the way, I am a good tipper!).
A Somebody Jul 25th 2008 10:44PM
I hate to say it, but I never thought about this before. Good info to know, though. I'll budget this into my next trip, even though I won't be flying again until November.
bernard Jul 27th 2008 6:09AM
despite all the negative comments i read about airlines, i have to say, over 20 years of flying, i can't recall any flight where a FA was rude to me without cause, (once i got one mad at me cuz i was playing around with the call button, but i was like 8 at the time, heh heh). I've flown internationally and domestically with too many airlines to remember. I find if you treat people nicely, they will in general, treat you nicely as well. I don't need nor expect FAs to be waiting on me hand and foot. I only expect them to be professional and to look after my safety. Alot of people see those 'Singapore Girl' advertisements and expect the US airlines to have that as well. That will NEVER happen in the US. Singapore Airlines is a different place, different culture, and has very different rules and regulations.
I remember one trip i took, I was probably 10 years old, I remember asking the FA repeatedly for various drinks, and each time, she cheerfully served my drink, if I could find her, I would really like to thank her. Another time, an older male flight attendant taught me a few tricks with my yo-yo. I had a great time on that flight. Some other times, they were more than willing to discuss different planes with me and one even gave me some inside tips on how to upgrade to first class. Have i had a bad trip before? i'm not sure because I choose to edit those out of my memory. I'm sure from time to time, i may bump into a FA who is just having a bad day. Do I need to obsess over it? No. They're all human and they'll make mistakes from time to time. I've made plenty of mistakes as well. And that customer service over the phone that people complain about? Here's a trick: treat them nicely, and they'll actually want to talk to you (more they talk to you, less jerks they have to talk to). If you treat them nicely, they'll actually try to help you. If they make a mistake, try to laugh it off with them. It really does help being nice.
I even scored a nice voucher once by being nice. On a flight, one seat was apparantely broken and the lady assigned to it was in tears cuz she had to be at her destination quickly. As they were passing by, i politely offered my seat to the lady in exchange for a later flight. I didn't really think about any vouchers. The FAs were really gracious to my offer because it saved them from an embarassment, it saved that lady's schedule, and I walked away with a $300 flight voucher and the airline bought me a free lunch. maybe one day i'll try to sweet talk my way into a first class seat :) but if i can't, no big deal. To all the FAs out there, thanks for your hard work, I really appreciate it! I know there are some impending layoffs and i feel really bad for all those FAs about to get furloughed. Best of luck to ya'll and hope everything works out for all of you.