Arguably, flight attendants have one of the most stressful jobs in the travel industry. They are the face of their airline, assisting customers during all phases of flight. In the event of an emergency, these employees are tasked with ensuring each passengers safety. In exchange, their only recompense is an obligatory “thank you” when passenger exit, just to turn around and do the job all over again.
A flight attendant’s work is often thankless and requires long hours of standing, smiling and being graceful under fire. Some believe there should be a way to thank these flyers for the hours they put in. Gratuities are commonplace in the service industry, with a high gratuity reflecting excellent service. Is it ever appropriate to show appreciation to a flight attendant through tipping?
When trying to thank a flight attendant, there are some methods that are more acceptable than others. Here are the appropriate – and inappropriate – ways to thank your flight attendant.
Do: Be Friendly
There are plenty of ways to thank gate agents and flight attendants for their hard work in keeping flyers safe every day. One of the easiest is to be attentive and friendly towards flight attendants. With so many flyers not bothering to greet flight attendants, pay attention during the safety announcement and smiling can go a long way in appreciating their work. Exchanging some “shop talk” doesn’t hurt either – on past flights, I’ve asked attendants in passing about their schedule, software changes, or other related news. The result is a friendly chat for a few moments and a little nicer service.
Do: Give Recognition
For those who go above and beyond, a little recognition can ensure they know they are appreciated during their trip. For those who do a good job, consider writing a note of appreciation to their supervisor, or submitting a note on the airline’s website. Some airlines offer incentives to flight attendants who receive praise, so taking the time to write a note can go a long way to rewarding the staff.
Do: Offer Small Gifts
Finally, for those who offer exceptional service, a small gift can offer an immediate thanks for a job well done. Many frequent flyers I know carry small boxes of chocolates to give out as gifts of thanks, which sometimes are met with more assistance. On a previous flight, after a gate agent worked well past midnight to re-book passengers on a cancelled flight just to turn around and work at 5 a.m. the next day, I slipped him a $10 Starbucks card in my boarding pass to say “thanks” for all of his help. When his face lit up, I knew it was a well-deserved reward – and I got “thanked” with a better seat aboard my cross-country flight.
Don’t: Be Overly Friendly… Or Tip Flight Attendants
While there are good ways to thank flight attendants for their work, there are also ways that cross acceptable boundaries for flight attendants. First off, while a little friendly banter can develop a good rapport with your cabin crew, too much of a good thing may not be so good. Remember: flight attendants are there to do a job first and foremost and too much talk can be off-putting.
This is where we return to the idea of tipping – which is actually frowned upon aboard many airlines. Flight attendants are often instructed to not accept gratuities, even when flyers order something. Please, do not offer a gratuity to your flight attendant. One of the ideas above can suffice as a good thank you.
Despite the problems associated with flying, even common passengers can make the skies a little friendlier. When credit is due, these ideas can help everyone thank their flight attendant for a trip well done.
How do you thank your flight attendants for doing an excellent job? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Written by Frugal Travel Guy @ http://www.frugaltravelguy.com
Written by Frugal Travel Guy @ http://www.frugaltravelguy.com