Gifts for cabin crew

[Mattg]

I had a spare box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates on a recent flight with MIAT Mongolian Airlines, so I decided to hand it to the flight attendant at the door during boarding. The FA seemed surprised and a bit confused to be receiving something but (somewhat reluctantly) accepted them once she understood that I was just trying to be nice by offering them a gift. Didn't get any special treatment on board, nor did I expect to.

 

[RooFlyer]

Interest comment from a Qantas FA, talking about long haul 'survival' tips

As for other tried and tested economy-class survival tips, there’s always bribery. “Bringing the flight attendants a bag of chocolates never goes astray for some rock star treatment,” she says.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/travel/long-haul-travel-this-10-carryon-item-is-a-gamechanger/news-story/7789507f36667bb1412e6e9694c86873

 

[TheRealTMA]

Interest comment from a Qantas FA, talking about long haul 'survival' tips

As for other tried and tested economy-class survival tips, there’s always bribery. “Bringing the flight attendants a bag of chocolates never goes astray for some rock star treatment,” she says.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/travel/long-haul-travel-this-10-carryon-item-is-a-gamechanger/news-story/7789507f36667bb1412e6e9694c86873

Appalling.

 

[Daver6]

Interest comment from a Qantas FA, talking about long haul 'survival' tips

As for other tried and tested economy-class survival tips, there’s always bribery. “Bringing the flight attendants a bag of chocolates never goes astray for some rock star treatment,” she says.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/travel/long-haul-travel-this-10-carryon-item-is-a-gamechanger/news-story/7789507f36667bb1412e6e9694c86873

You'd imagine once her employer sees this that Belinda Johnstone is going to have a little bit of explaining to do. Surely this would breach her workplace agreement by soliciting bribery? I know if I suggested that in my job, I'd unemployed pretty quickly.

 

[Beano]

You'd imagine once her employer sees this that Belinda Johnstone is going to have a little bit of explaining to do. Surely this would breach her workplace agreement by soliciting bribery? I know if I suggested that in my job, I'd unemployed pretty quickly.

It would need to be some "gift", pearl earrings, gold chain perhaps? Would a box of Ferrero Rocher or Lindor cut it?

 

[Daver6]

It would need to be some "gift", pearl earrings, gold chain perhaps? Would a box of Ferrero Rocher or Lindor cut it?

Bribery is bribery. Where do you draw the line? The simple answer is no form is acceptable.

 

[Beano]

Bribery is bribery. Where do you draw the line? The simple answer is no form is acceptable.

It's only bribery if you expect something in return. A small gift, given in good faith, would hardly count.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The article is paywalled, but sounds like she was clearly joking?

 

[RooFlyer]

The article is paywalled, but sounds like she was clearly joking?

I imagine she was but unfortunately it was written up as just a statement. this is the entire section on her

When you’re criss-crossing the globe weekly, learning to negate the effects of jet lag becomes a fine art. Johnstone’s unconventional sleep-accessory tip is arguably her best. In lieu of a standard neck pillow, she has invested in a medical-grade neck brace, which she says can make sleeping in even the most cramped economy seat comfortable.

“It helps to stabilise your neck and let you sleep,” she confirms. “I’ve made a cover so it doesn’t look like a neck brace when I use it.”

As for other tried and tested economy-class survival tips, there’s always bribery. “Bringing the flight attendants a bag of chocolates never goes astray for some rock star treatment,” she says.

Finally, she recommends noise-cancelling headphones, a good eye mask and a pillow for lumbar support.

i think its harmless.

 

[Daver6]

It's only bribery if you expect something in return. A small gift, given in good faith, would hardly count.

Agreed. However, the quote in the article is a FA saying, give us a gift and you'll get better treatment.

 

[Duffa]

Stop it, please.......
Every one of us on here, has customers, clients, consumers, some of whom we "hate".
And we turn up for work each day.
But they're not all like that.
A little gift from one of those listed above (the nice ones) can make your day. It certainly does, mine

 

[Jacques Vert]

Stop it, please.......
Every one of us on here, has customers, clients, consumers, some of whom we "hate".
And we turn up for work each day.
But they're not all like that.
A little gift from one of those listed above (the nice ones) can make your day. It certainly does, mine

Yes it does, but you should still treat all of them equally.

 

[Beano]

We should be careful about handing over gifts. Airlines may have various policies about this. Some may have a "no gift" policy, so we could offend by offering it and getting a rejection. Other airlines may permit gifts but they have to be logged. My own company has a policy that all gifts are handed over to HR and then raffled (free, but you have top be present) to staff at a Christmas function. So far I've snagged a slab of beer and a couple of blocks of chocolates.

So, which airlines accept gifts unconditionally?

 

[RooFlyer]

I still maintain that offering something like choccies at the end of a flight is quite harmless and always appreciated.

Edit: Not Japan

 

[MEL_Traveller]

We should be careful about handing over gifts. Airlines may have various policies about this. Some may have a "no gift" policy, so we could offend by offering it and getting a rejection. Other airlines may permit gifts but they have to be logged. My own company has a policy that all gifts are handed over to HR and then raffled (free, but you have top be present) to staff at a Christmas function. So far I've snagged a slab of beer and a couple of blocks of chocolates.

So, which airlines accept gifts unconditionally?

Good point… but i think we need to define ‘gift’, beyond the simple dictionary definition.

Most companies will define a minimum value for something, ie ‘more than incidental’. Some even out a dollar value on it, like $50. It’s about the perception of influence.

I’d argue a communal bag of chocolates - or something local like a clip-on stuffed koala or packet of tim tams - is unlikely to be considered a ‘gift’ for the purposes of reporting or influence. I’d classify them as a token of appreciation rather than a gift.

If you gave a member of crew a piece of gold jewellery departing the ME or India, that might be a different issue. Or if the item is handed over followed by a question on whether you can swap seats, for example to get an empty row, or different cabin.

 

[Beano]

Good point… but i think we need to define ‘gift’, beyond the simple dictionary definition.

Most companies will define a minimum value for something, ie ‘more than incidental’. Some even out a dollar value on it, like $50. It’s about the perception of influence.

I’d argue a communal bag of chocolates - or something local like a clip-on stuffed koala or packet of tim tams - is unlikely to be considered a ‘gift’ for the purposes of reporting or influence. I’d classify them as a token of appreciation rather than a gift.

If you gave a member of crew a piece of gold jewellery departing the ME or India, that might be a different issue. Or if the item is handed over followed by a question on whether you can swap seats, for example to get an empty row, or different cabin.

I have heard that 5 USD is a limit! Also are we increasing the crew expectations? Given often enough and they may consider it their right. Then their response to the call button may not be so effective if there is no gift. I have experienced long haul on 747 and 380 where the call was largely ignored. Perhaps I should have given a packet of Tim Tams, A$5.00, 3 USD, at the airport so OK.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have heard that 5 USD is a limit! Also are we increasing the crew expectations? Given often enough and they may consider it their right. Then their response to the call button may not be so effective if there is no gift. I have experienced long haul on 747 and 380 where the call was largely ignored. Perhaps I should have given a packet of Tim Tams, A$5.00, 3 USD, at the airport so OK.

I don’t think there’s any correlation! If someone in the main cabin rings their call bell, it would be pretty difficult for a crew member - from the galley - to see whether it was a gift-giver or not. Or when the cabin was dark.

If it was an item in exchange for anticipated service… it would no longer be a gift!

 

[Mattg]

I still maintain that offering something like choccies at the end of a flight is quite harmless and always appreciated.

It can cause embarrassment in some cultures, e.g. in Japan, if it’s unexpected and the gift-receiver has nothing to offer in return.

 

[Beano]

I don’t think there’s any correlation! If someone in the main cabin rings their call bell, it would be pretty difficult for a crew member - from the galley - to see whether it was a gift-giver or not. Or when the cabin was dark.

If it was an item in exchange for anticipated service… it would no longer be a gift!

Just saying!

Post automatically merged: Jul 31, 2024

It can cause embarrassment in some cultures, e.g. in Japan, if it’s unexpected and the gift-receiver has nothing to offer in return.

So which airlines are safe, Qantas, BA, EK?

 

[DC3]

It can cause embarrassment in some cultures, e.g. in Japan, if it’s unexpected and the gift-receiver has nothing to offer in return.

Good point. Some may not be aware of this.