Cash tipping of aircrew - is it an OK thing to do?

[juddles]

I know that many travellers believe in the gifting of chocolates etc for aircrew. And I thoroughly agree with the practice. But have not got into that as it requires some forethought, and I am chaotic.

I fly a fair few long haul Qantas trips in J each year. A few times now I have been extremely impressed by the staff - some of the trans-Pacific guys especially rate highly for me.

I am always polite and thankful, but a few times I have felt ike chucking them a $50 note or something. Part of me says that such a gift is peanuts compared to the cost of the flight, and it would allow them to enjoy a few relaxing drinks which they have truly earned. But another part of me cringes at a cash tip for Australian staff. I tip people all the time overseas, but it is just not such a normaliity in Aust.

If I gave a Qantas crew member who was fantastic a large bill and suggested they have a few beers on me, would they be offended?? I just do not understand the dynamic.

Any thoughts?

 

[ashleyn]

Tipping is not an Australian thing due primarily to the above average wages and conditions Australian workers have over, say US or Asian counterparts. Don't do it I say.

 

[kpc]

Any thoughts?

Not appropriate.

 

[tuapekastar]

I don't think even in the home of tipping (You Ess Ay) that this practice occurs, so nope, would not even remotely consider tipping Oz FAs.

 

[bodog]

Never seen it - and never want to!

 

[mvjs]

I know that many travellers believe in the gifting of chocolates etc for aircrew. And I thoroughly agree with the practice. But have not got into that as it requires some forethought, and I am chaotic.

I fly a fair few long haul Qantas trips in J each year. A few times now I have been extremely impressed by the staff - some of the trans-Pacific guys especially rate highly for me.

I am always polite and thankful, but a few times I have felt ike chucking them a $50 note or something. Part of me says that such a gift is peanuts compared to the cost of the flight, and it would allow them to enjoy a few relaxing drinks which they have truly earned. But another part of me cringes at a cash tip for Australian staff. I tip people all the time overseas, but it is just not such a normaliity in Aust.

If I gave a Qantas crew member who was fantastic a large bill and suggested they have a few beers on me, would they be offended?? I just do not understand the dynamic.

Any thoughts?

They're paid wages to do their job. It's not some sort of charitable arrangement. If you want to do them a favour, perhaps send a compliment to management.

 

[juddles]

.... If you want to do them a favour, perhaps send a compliment to management....

Yeah, that is always my gut feeling. But in the moment it sometimes makes me want to instantly express my thanks rather than trust the system to get my appreciation to them. Still feeling unsure about it. Might stash some extra duty free goodies for next trip. Can they receive those??

 

[juddles]

They're paid wages to do their job. It's not some sort of charitable arrangement. If you want to do them a favour, perhaps send a compliment to management.

Sorry to double answer your post, but doesnt that mean that chocolates, etc would also be no-go? They seem to be a fairly universally accepted gift.

 

[amaroo]

OMG when did hello, thanks, please lose their value!

Surely, a decent attitude & manners are sufficient.

 

[toowongman]

No no no no no no never. Chocolates /after/ the flight, or a nice thank you, or a letter of compliment - yes. Tipping is the thin end of the wedge. You become a FA because you want to be a FA, not for the money.

 

[juddles]

OMG when did hello, thanks, please lose their value!

Surely, a decent attitude & manners are sufficient.

Amaroo, I hear you. That always was my MO. But in many parts of the world it is not so simple. I recognize that QF staff get a decent wage, but sometimes I want to thank them more than just sheer good manners allow, because i have experienced truly amazing staff. It is a bit hard to shout a flight crew member a beer.

 

[juddles]

.... You become a FA because you want to be a FA, not for the money.

It is not about the money, in that I am not trying to supplement their wage. I just want to give them a gift. Can they receive a bottle of wine, etc?

 

[Kef]

I know that many travellers believe in the gifting of chocolates etc for aircrew. And I thoroughly agree with the practice. But have not got into that as it requires some forethought, and I am chaotic.

I fly a fair few long haul Qantas trips in J each year. A few times now I have been extremely impressed by the staff - some of the trans-Pacific guys especially rate highly for me.

I am always polite and thankful, but a few times I have felt ike chucking them a $50 note or something. Part of me says that such a gift is peanuts compared to the cost of the flight, and it would allow them to enjoy a few relaxing drinks which they have truly earned. But another part of me cringes at a cash tip for Australian staff. I tip people all the time overseas, but it is just not such a normaliity in Aust.

If I gave a Qantas crew member who was fantastic a large bill and suggested they have a few beers on me, would they be offended?? I just do not understand the dynamic.

Any thoughts?

Australia is not a tipping nation. I don't consider it appropriate.
"Chucking them a $50" FA's could also be insulted.
An email back to QF customer care naming the FA's and the flight you were on.

 

[pauly7]

So many other more thoughtful ways to recognize IMHO!

- Compliment to onboard manager.
- Compliment to them directly.
- Compliment to their onboard manager infront of them.
- Follow up feedback to QF customer
Care who are excellent about getting feedback back to staff and feeds into their reward and recognition program. (I also sometimes tell the staff member I am doing this, most recently a CBR lounge attendant)

I really think some people underestimate the effect just a well phrased thank you, compliment and polite, friendly, non 'master/slave' behavior during the flight can have.

Material/monetary gifts are certainly easier but I don't think they are appropriate in this manner.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Tipping is such poor practice. People are paid to do their jobs, they should do them with passion, doesn't matter what the deal is.

Courteous behavior is respect fr a job well done. acknowledgement always works as well.

Call qantas, or their employer and let them know would be appropriate.m

 

[Mal]

Don't do it. Cabin Crew are relatively well paid (note I said relatively before the QCA vs LH debate starts), and their "away from home" allowances are good enough to not require tips.

Handing out money in that way is ugh in my books... Just tacky.

I think a gift, or even a small giftcard for a coffee chain would be much better if you felt the need.

 

[RWJ777]

Oh dear, this made me nearly swallow my tongue!

I don't think it's necessary, or appropriate, for a couple of reasons:

1. Australian air crew get paid very well by comparison to other carriers; it is one of the reasons that Qantas does not make money on many of its international routes and over all loses money on its international business; and

2. In my humble opinion, it's a bit crass: these are professional people who are trained well and who are expected to take pride in their jobs done well. I agree with other posts here that a sincere and reasoned thank you is better than handing over a crunched note.

But the sentiment is thoughtful and best-intentioned, so I should imagine that you could furnish a sincere and fullsome thank you quite well indeed!

Best avoided.

 

[Austman]

Does tipping cabin crew exist even in the USA? I've seen USA crew tip passengers with a bottle of wine, but have never seen it the other way around. I don't know... - but if it's done anywhere I'd imagine it's done in the USA.

 

[medhead]

There is a guy in a lounge who always looks after me. I've sent through feedback a few times about him. He was given an award and has now been given a full time job, which is what he wanted based on our discussion. I think my feedback might have partially helped him get to that position. I think that the long term job security would be vastly more appreciated than a bit of cash once in a while.

 

[ferdeline]

This is a ridiculous idea and one that I hope does not grow on. I do not consider flight attendants 'professionals' (they are wait staff, honestly) and I support the paying of fair wages -- salaries shouldn't need to be supplemented with tips or gifts.

Regarding gifts, should a flight attendant even accept them? What if drugs have been smuggled inside the item?