Tipping problem in LAX TBIT Lounge [is back]

[coriander]

Mrs C and I came through F Lounge at TBIT on Wednesday 15 March. There was no "money in the bathroom" or any sign of a tip being solicited or requested for either of us.

 

[drsmithy]

On the other hand ...
- evidence of self-serving assumptions - at the expense of low wage workers - everywhere here
- evidence of taking rumour or QF assertions as fact - when such assertions are usually regarded here in the same light as those made by politicians and used car salesmen - everywhere here
- evidence of taking out a dislike for US tipping culture on low-wage workers - everywhere here
- evidence of begrudging low-wage workers $US1-2 for cleaning up after their s___ in an elite airline lounge - everywhere here
- evidence that several hundred posts on this non-issue is OTT - self-evident

I love the way a criticism of tipping is seamlessly transformed into some sort of attack on "low-wage workers".

 

[opusman]

Whether tipping is a good thing or a bad thing is completely irrelevant. The issue is the attempt to deceive.

 

[JessicaTam]

[mod hat]
A number of posts have been removed. If the personal attacks continue, infractions will be issued.
[/mod hat]

 

[Quickstatus]

I have never seen anything requesting or suggesting tips in the QF lounge.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

I really do not see the need to launch nuclear weapons in a thread where the purpose is to report on the possible scamming of Qantas/OW customers. Honestly, if you feel strongly about lounge staff being allegedly underpaid then please contact the relevant authorities in the United States and/or Mascot and raise your concerns there.

 

[muppet]

I wouldn't worry too much about what Americans think.

Tip when you want to tip, not when someone else wants you to tip.

And in my short experience in the USA they do not expect a tip from Australians and if you do give them a tip they are pleasantly surprised.

Hmmmm. Some reactions may be different so I'd pick when and where to take this advice....

You are free to tip an amount you choose, but if a service was provided and you don't tip it's practically stealing in the US. You know the price doesn't include service.

That being said I find it annoying working out who gets tipped and who doesn't. Our system is much better.

 

[dfcatch]

QF have themselves stated that the soliciting of tips in the QF lounge is verboten.

Anyone's personal political views on the appropriateness of tipping or wage levels is irrelevant to this thread and the topic at hand.

I'd suggest you get off your high horses and stay OT.

Or troll - that at least is still entertaining and keeps the mods employed ðŸ

 

[OzEire]

I'd be happy to tip 40 or even 50% of the total cost of my QF lounge visit, well above the norm for hospitality work

 

[N860CR]

IIRC $25-30k a year for new hires

That's a little generous... sub 20 for most operators.

 

[RooFlyer]

I wouldn't worry too much about what Americans think.
<snip>

Sure, that attitude is fine if you also have the attitude (for instance) that when in Thailand don't worry too much about what Thais think in the face of (to them) non-customary behaviour.

I try to conform to local customs anywhere I go (to the extent that's practical) - its just good manners.

 

[TomVexille]

That's a little generous... sub 20 for most operators.

Thanks for that. I really think that a lot of people just assume that they're paid way more than what they are.

 

[dfcatch]

Thanks for that. I really think that a lot of people just assume that they're paid way more than what they are.

And totally irrelevant to the issue.

QF forbids the solicitation of tipping in the lounges - and that's the end of it.

 

[TomVexille]

And totally irrelevant to the issue.

Well it was rather relevant to the conversation in context.

QF forbids the solicitation of tipping in the lounges - and that's the end of it.

Which should be the end of it.

That's not to say that one couldn't tip if they felt the desire to. Just that staff should not be soliciting tips and pax shouldn't feel pressured into one.

 

[JohnK]

Sure, that attitude is fine if you also have the attitude (for instance) that when in Thailand don't worry too much about what Thais think in the face of (to them) non-customary behaviour.

I try to conform to local customs anywhere I go (to the extent that's practical) - its just good manners.

I also try to conform to local customs wherever I go.

Tipping is a totally different story. You can call it a custom, culture if you want, but if it's not compulsory such as service charges in SE Asia then it's up to the individual. As far as I'm concerned it's up to the employers in the USA to sort out their staffs wages. Why don't people start their crusade with them? They don't come out of this squeaky clean yet get away with it.

 

[DC3]

... QF forbids the solicitation of tipping in the lounges ..

At least QF can't stop us from leaving a tip if we wish to.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Excuse my ignorance but are their signs up re QF policy? If so where? Have pics of signs been posted? TIA

 

[Sdtravel]

Excuse my ignorance but are their signs up re QF policy? If so where? Have pics of signs been posted? TIA

There are no signs. Its something Red Roo noted earlier in this thread as to the policy. Also the people who would be responsible for putting the sign up would be the same as those soliciting the tips.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

So QF forbid the solicitation of tips by Lounge staff correct? And is this standard policy across ALL lounges? And has the only notification to QF pax been via 1 post earlier in this thread by a QF rep so no longer posts here? Am I on the money so far?

i have only ever been in LAX QF F Lounge twice so no exp really - is this problem very prevalent? Do QF actually manage the lounge or 3rd party Mgmt? Is this whole problem just not a failure of Lounge Mgmt?

 

[JohnPhelan]

i have only ever been in LAX QF F Lounge twice so no exp really - is this problem very prevalent? Do QF actually manage the lounge or 3rd party Mgmt? Is this whole problem just not a failure of Lounge Mgmt?

The only part of the lounge where this is a problem appears to be the shower suites. That's where the "bait and pocket" occurs. Red Roo did note that solicitation of tipping is forbidden; and I believe that the lounge manager(s) have said similar when members have asked the question on site.

No-one would complain if a tip was left freely; the issue is the subterfuge being carried out in the showers to imply that a tip is expected.