Tipping problem in LAX TBIT Lounge [is back]

[serfty]

Have a look at this thread from Flyertalk:

LAX TBIT Qantas F lounge tipping?

 

[Ausbt]

Personally I find the tipping culture one of the most uncomfortable things about visiting the US

So do I. It actually causes me to tip less when I return to Australia. Before I had spent much time in the US, it felt normal to round up or tip Aussie restaurants 15% of the bill. Nowadays I'm more inclined to just Pay-Pass the precise balance and not tip at all. My rationale is (a) you are paid more than your US counterparts so what is your problem?, and (b) it's a Sunday and my bill is 15% higher anyway, so what is your problem? That, and the fact that is makes zero difference to service levels in Australia at all. Zero. You could give a waiter here $100 and it would mean nothing.

 

[Blue Max]

Just let the next attendant you come into contact know that you're going to report this matter to the IRS.
The people who work there will then have the income adjusted by the IRS to include an assumed sum in tips and they'll be taxed on that figure as gross income.
I suspect that the threat of coming under the baleful gaze of the IRS as a tax cheat will far outweigh any tipping gain potential.

 

[samh004]

Have a look at this thread from Flyertalk:

LAX TBIT Qantas F lounge tipping?

Thanks for that lovely read of tipping faux pas' in the US. It's amazing how firmly Americans believe that if we don't tip we shouldn't visit. Guess it's a good thing I have no plans to do so!

 

[timster]

Honestly, I'm happy to tip someone if the space is super clean and well serviced. Let's not forget what wages are like in the US. While Qantas may claim to be adequately compensating, I can imagine how liveable that wage is. why be mean?

Indeed.

200 posts here over a US$1 tip ? Seriously ? To cleaners/attendants who will never experience the lounge as a customer. Get a grip people. Whenever Qantas cuts costs and it affects you, you are quick to jump on them. Where is the evidence that Qantas pays these cleaners adequately ? You can't just report a rumour that that might be the case and take it as fact. Yet here you are jumping on people who are merely behaving according to their culture. You should be ashamed of yourselves. If you don't like it, don't go to the US.

 

[blackcat20]

Indeed.

200 posts here over a US$1 tip ? Seriously ? To cleaners/attendants who will never experience the lounge as a customer. Get a grip people. Whenever Qantas cuts costs and it affects you, you are quick to jump on them. Where is the evidence that Qantas pays these cleaners adequately ? You can't just report a rumour that that might be the case and take it as fact. Yet here you are jumping on people who are merely behaving according to their culture. You should be ashamed of yourselves. If you don't like it, don't go to the US.

The information regarding pay came directly from Qantas.

 

[DC3]

The information regarding pay came directly from Qantas.

So, what is the hourly rate, again, according to QF, please?

Edit: A poster on FT says $12/hr, another says $16.

 

[DC3]

Have a look at this thread from Flyertalk:

LAX TBIT Qantas F lounge tipping?

OK. Thanks.

 

[TheInsider]

So, what is the hourly rate, again, according to QF, please?

This may help, although has no 'set' rate of pay, it's based on 'experience' https://hallmarkaviationservices-op...54&company_id=16355&version=1&jobBoardId=1112

 

[TomVexille]

So, what is the hourly rate, again, according to QF, please?

Edit: A poster on FT says $12/hr, another says $16.

Both of which are above the CA minimum wage of $10.50, which is rather high in the US

 

[blackcat20]

So, what is the hourly rate, again, according to QF, please?

Edit: A poster on FT says $12/hr, another says $16.

I never said they specified it, I said they provided information, which was that people in the lounge are paid appropriately (ie not at US wage levels) and therefore tips are not required (and are frowned upon).

Any anyway, who said it was a $1 tip? And how do you know these people will never visit the lounge as a guest, have you asked them?

 

[TheInsider]

A Cook in the Qantas Lounge LAX will get around $16.73hr
Server - $18hr

https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Qantas&l=&rs=1&fromage=last

Server Qantas Lounges at LAX - Los Angeles, CA 90045
$18 an hour - Full-time, Part-time

[TD="class: snip"] Job Description:
The Qantas Lounges at LAX give unique opportunity for you to work in a fast-paced, professional environment. Join us.
Want to Be a Part of Our Elite Team?
A job you love is great, but a job with industry-leading rewards is even better. Hallmark perks include:
Great Pay
Receive world- class training?
Opportunities for regular and full time hours
Medical, Dental and Vision plans + Paid Time off + 401K
Flight Benefits
Refer a friend, Earn $100.
Position Summary
Provide friendly and professional food and beverage sevice ro Firsy and Business class passengers
Carry out assigned duties with high level of customer satisfaction [/TD]

 

[DC3]

I never said they specified it, I said they provided information ...

Oh. I see. I thought that QF may have previously provided some useful details on the hourly rate (for servers/wait staff).

 

[blackcat20]

Oh. I see. I thought that QF may have previously provided some useful details on the hourly rate.

Why should they? What a compnay pays, and what someone earns, is none of our business.

 

[TomVexille]

A Cook in the Qantas Lounge LAX will get around $16.73hr
Server - $18hr

https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Qantas&l=&rs=1&fromage=last

View attachment 94699

Adding in the health insurance and other benefits, that's a pretty decent job for many people.

 

[DC3]

Why should they? What a compnay pays, and what someone earns, is none of our business.

I didn't say that they should disclose it, did I? Am I not allowed to ask?

Anyway, I'm rather skeptical when employers use terms like "paid appropriately".

 

[RooFlyer]

Indeed.

200 posts here over a US$1 tip ? Seriously ? To cleaners/attendants who will never experience the lounge as a customer. Get a grip people. Whenever Qantas cuts costs and it affects you, you are quick to jump on them. Where is the evidence that Qantas pays these cleaners adequately ? You can't just report a rumour that that might be the case and take it as fact. Yet here you are jumping on people who are merely behaving according to their culture. You should be ashamed of yourselves. If you don't like it, don't go to the US.

If only you read through some of those 200 posts you may 'get a grip' on the thread topic better. We manage to do better than rumours here.

The thread isn't so much about tipping, but the 'scam' that operates from time to time at the QF lounge LAX. Where a tip is planted and "oops, cleaned away" in view of the next pax as an unsubtle hint to leave a tip. I've experienced it. That isn't USA culture by the way.

I DO tip where tips are the norm, however this practice is specifically banned by the management.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

What a compnay pays, and what someone earns, is none of our business.

Jeez Tommy is going to be in the doghouse when he gets home tonight after posting exactly what Qantas pays their Cooks and Servers in LAX QF Lounges.

 

[TomVexille]

Jeez Tommy is going to be in the doghouse when he gets home tonight after posting exactly what Qantas pays their Cooks and Servers in LAX QF Lounges.

I should really be taking one of those jobs. They pay more than what I make now

 

[samh004]

So, what is the hourly rate, again, according to QF, please?

Edit: A poster on FT says $12/hr, another says $16.

Both of which are above the CA minimum wage of $10.50, which is rather high in the US

Taking the USD$16 rate, that's equivalent to AUD$20.87 – while the minimum wage in Australia averages out at $17.70. Considering the CA minimum wage posted, and the fact that is higher than the rest of the US, this sort of funny business shouldn't be happening.

All that said, the real takeaway is that this "scam" is not just frowned upon by management but they have previously gone out of their way to make sure it does not happen. It's not just a tipping problem, it's staff actively breaking the rules in their workplace. It's serious stuff.