Gifts for cabin crew

[kevviek]

I like this idea, but can't they just sneak their own own chocs etc from supplies on the plane?

 

[Hvr]

but can't they just sneak their own own chocs etc from supplies on the plane?

No, it's considered theft of company property.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/qantas-choc-thief-forgot/news-story/752b1fc693f4d0576e63dc12527f4f1b

 

[Denali]

Last Thurs was our 1st flight since March 2020 and we gave Lindt and Favourites boxes to check in staff, lounge and gate agents and flight crew. All were thrilled and pilots each came out to say thank you and FAs seemed excited by the gesture. .We're glad to be back and glad they're back.

 

[kevviek]

No, it's considered theft of company property.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/qantas-choc-thief-forgot/news-story/752b1fc693f4d0576e63dc12527f4f1b

That is pretty cough for him, but I guess they need to. do something....Taking them off the plane is different from eating on the flight though?

 

[N860CR]

That is pretty cough for him, but I guess they need to. do something....Taking them off the plane is different from eating on the flight though?

I remember speaking to a QF CSM about this at the time. There was a bit more to the story. Kinda like OJ being done for stealing a trophy

 

[Hvr]

Taking them off the plane is different from eating on the flight though?

Depends, if they were part of a scheduled meal ok to eat. Otherwise it can still be considered theft.
A bit like working in a food shop, you may be allowed to eat specific items but eating anything else from the store is forbidden,

 

[Hvr]

And a little further research suggests that the FA was reinstated by order of the AIRC.

Flight attendant wins case

Qantas has been ordered to reinstate a flight attendant with 32 years' experience who was sacked after being accused of stealing 16 macadamia nut chocolates and three biscuits.

www.afr.com

Still the principle remains that unless your employer says you can take their product with you then don't do it.

 

[ALH]

We have been handing over Ferrero Rocher in the gift boxes for at least 20 years, after boarding has finished and just prior to take off. We are usually in Row 1 so not particularly disruptive. Couldn’t buy these on Norfolk Island last week so I bought gift boxes of hand made chocolates (sealed). All the crew thanked me multiple times. I don’t do it for the thanks, but because it’s a nice gesture of appreciation for a job I would never enjoy doing myself.

Edit: I also brought some of the hand made chocolates home and they were seriously good

 

[Beano]

Is this setting expectations? I can understand Christmas and I have been giving a box of Lindor to my travel booker for years, Covid years excepted, but I should start to give to FAs. After two years on non-flying, 20 kg lighter and with a face mask, a flight attendant still greets me by name before I hand over the BP. Now that deserves a gift.

 

[Forg]

I like the idea that you’d give the crew a thrill because pretty much nobody does it … but on the flipside, I’d be feeling a tad unsure about it being considered to maybe be a bit creepy, “what special treatment does he think he’s going to get?”.

 

[QF WP]

I’ve been doing this for quite a while. For Domestic, I buy the sleeves of Ferraro Rocher chocs when they’re on special in Coles/Woolies wherever I am and have a stash at work in case I run out of time to pick some up.

The Virgin crew lately have been very appreciative - I always give to the Cabin Manager upon boarding and say it’s for you and the FA’s as they can share them after service. Always get a surprised smile from the CM/FA greeting me and effusive thanks on disembarking.

Last (nighttime) flight from SYD, the Virgin CM gave me a bottle of the J class red wine they were drinking on board. He couldn’t remember which pax had given him the chocs and couldn’t see me during the flight (I was in EconX), but he recognised me as I walked out. Again, not expecting a return gift but appreciated after a long day. Their good service is what I appreciate.

 

[Beano]

As GaryLG said, being kind helps amazingly. Before Covid I would make a point of talking to the FAs and that made me feel that the service was just a little better. Now the crew lock themselves behind closed curtains. Perhaps a gift would work better?

 

[FlyingFiona]

I like the idea that you’d give the crew a thrill because pretty much nobody does it … but on the flipside, I’d be feeling a tad unsure about it being considered to maybe be a bit creepy, “what special treatment does he think he’s going to get?”.

I was dubious about this too before I ever gave a gift. But I thought I'd give it a go on my last flight after the stories on AFF about how appreciative staff are. I think that it's all in how you give it and your general conduct. I am a very undemanding passenger, the type to always ask how each of my flight attendants are, what they are most looking forward to at their arrival destination etc., and when there was a small issue with the electronics in my seat on my last flight I made no fuss and even shooed away their offer of compensation. I think my comportment indicated that I was genuinely appreciative of their service and in return I received extra conversation time from my attendants when they were passing which made my flight more pleasurable.

Encouraged by that experience I will continue to gift consumables to the flight crew on all but JAL flights (culturally not appropriate) and may even include a little hand made card from now on. I have two boxes of After Eights ready to hand over on my upcoming SIN flights.

 

[Beano]

I was wondering at which level this worked, Y, J or F and if you are a premium FF e.g QG or QP(One)? Would it work for a Y at the back of an airplane?

 

[RealtimeY]

With Christmas coming up I am also considering giving the crew some chocolates. But how does one actually present these in the midst of boarding without making it weird or overtly bribe-like to onlookers?

 

[Beano]

I am currently booked to travel on 6 flights over a week, 5 of which are about 3 hours . That's a lot chocolate. Do I limit it to any crew I recognise or just the International sector? ( 2 x INT, 4 x Australia Domestic)

 

[ALH]

With Christmas coming up I am also considering giving the crew some chocolates. But how does one actually present these in the midst of boarding without making it weird or overtly bribe-like to onlookers?

I usually jump up and take them to the galley where it’s more private just prior to departure, or if they still look really busy I’ll wait until after service.

Mr ALH insists they must be a good quality “box” of chocolates with at least 3 chocks for each crew member. So at least 16 on Domestic in the Perspex containers.

 

[lovestotravel]

Gift after if service is good, not as a bribe beforehand.

 

[Steve N]

Usually if it’s a significant holiday, e.g. Easter, Christmas.
My go to at Easter is a few Lindt Dark, Milk or White Chocolate Bunnies.
At Christmas I prefer to go with some quality Shortbread.

 

[The Flying Schwartz]

Yes, a very nice idea, but if we all start handing out chockies to the crew, we could be putting them at risk

Malaysia Airlines flight attendant loses unfair dismissal case after being fired for being 700g overweight