Skyring
Established Member
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2005
- Posts
- 2,222
- Qantas
- LT Silver
I don't particularly want any of that stuff. But it is something that the cabin crew can give me in return that is within their power and authority. If they feel that they want to return the favour.
If I'm travelling outbound, I can gift Qantas trinkets on. The BookCrossing.com meetings I go to usually involve a fundraising raffle where the attendees from various places make up a prize of items from their home countries. For me, Tim Tams, a mug with wildlife, maybe a scarf with an Indigenous art theme, a kids' book featuring kangaroos … that sort of thing. A cap with Qantas branding, a Qantas keyring, a Qantas postcard; these things add to the Australian flavour. I might chuck in an amenity kit as well, often the little bag is elegant and useful.
On the way back, well, maybe I'll give things to the grandkids.
I use a black Qantas cap with a white flying kangaroo logo on Zoom calls to stop the light on my bald spot causing a bright highlight, and I grab the same one when I go off for my Saturday morning parkrun as something that will protect my scalp from sunlight or Canberra's winter chill that isn't overly heavy or awkward.
Someone mentioned unwanted Ferrero Rochers piling up at end of school year events. It's traditional to give the teacher a gift and if every one of the students gives something, well, there will be some overflow.
But out of a J cabin, how many pax are going to give a little gift to the crew? It's something that hits home because it's rare, and because there's no expectation of an upgrade or special treatment. Especially if I personalise it with a little note about the cabin crew having to be alert and on their feet all through the trip.
And, well, cabin crew are important. Along with the flight crew but I rarely get to meet them. They can literally save my life. Handing out the nuts and pouring the wine is all very well, but these people are operating the magic that gets me from one side of the world to the other safely and more or less comfortably. They push the buttons, they keep everything in order, they attend to my petulant requests with good grace and a cheerful smile. And if something goes wrong ten kilometres up, my life is in their hands.
Over my years of travel I have met some amazing people in uniforms of different airlines. Most of the hosties and stews fade into the murky travel mélange. But a few are shining lights for their care and thoughtfulness. Sometimes the difference between a dutiful grin and a golden smile is fourteen hours of looking after a cabin full of self-important wankers. If, for a few dollars, I can edge the scale a little towards gold, why not?
