Gifts for cabin crew

[Flyfrequently]

I have been known to indulge in one of the 3-packs in my hotel room

Before or after Lunch @QF WP ?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

So many interesting views and responses

 

[MARTINE]

So many interesting views and responses

That is the beauty of AFF family - we can all provide different perspectives without tearing lumps off each other.

I like reading the different perspectives

Personally - I loathe FR chocolate so would never give them to anyone.

I leave a note card during flight to show appreciation for exceptional service, and send feedback of same to the airline mentioning by name if someone went above and beyond.

I would never reward a service not yet given (ie start of flight) as not sure what this gift is meant to represent or how it may be interpreted. If I see pax get special service from doing so would probably see as negative

But everyone is different

 

[Ade]

I have been known to indulge in one of the 3-packs in my hotel room

As one should ... Flying takes a lot out an individual and the sneaky chocolate is what keeps our spirits alive and going

 

[RooFlyer]

And some of those little treats may well end up in the rubbish bin anyway, or re-gifted. Who knows what’s been done to some of them before the gifting.

Well, that’s a pretty bizarre perspective.

‘End up in the rubbish bin or regifted’ - I guess you could say that about any Christmas or birthday present that’s ever been given. What proportion of the gifts you’ve ever given have ended up in the bin or regifted do you think?

Memo: it’s the thought that counts.

Only ever gift a cellophane wrapped box.
@RooFlyer - that's sounds like a good idea. Bulky though if a few flights.

Just so. Cellophane wrapped box of 30 or so pieces. I only do it for long haul and I buy it at duty-free before I get on the flight. Goes in the overhead bin and brought out towards the end of the flight.

No bribery, no opportunity for special treatment, just a nice gesture towards some workers who often get some poor treatment from people they have to serve.

I think it’s a shame some people are so cynical about this sort of thing..

 

[DC3]

I think it’s a shame some people are so cynical about this sort of thing..

Many packaged goods are easy to doctor.

There’s a case where a sealed packet of chocolate-filled biscuits was opened using a razor, the chocolate filling was replaced with a few packets of melted laxettes and the finished product appeared perfect, having been nicely resealed it seems. So, the biscuit thief got more than he bargained for and apparently could barely get off of the toilet seat for days. Poisoned is probably about right.

Not wanting to shock the naive, but the world is made of up of some nasty people, although none on AFF we hope.

 

[RooFlyer]

Many packaged goods are easy to doctor.

There’s a case where a sealed packet of chocolate-filled biscuits was opened using a razor, the chocolate filling was replaced with a few packets of melted laxettes and the finished product appeared perfect, having been nicely resealed it seems. So, the biscuit thief got more than he bargained for and apparently could barely get off of the toilet seat for days. Poisoned is probably about right.

Not wanting to shock the naive, but the world is made of up of some nasty people, although none on AFF we hope.

Well, jeez, just stay at home and roll yourself into a ball.

Do you suspect you’re going to get poisoned every time you tuck into a steak you’ve bought from the supermarket? Don’t touch that Lindt ball on your Qantas flight!

Do something nice. The recipient may not appreciate it, they may not like chocolates but in the case of airline crew I don’t have the opportunity to survey them before hand.

i’m happy to make the gesture and I’m pretty sure it’s always appreciated. “ YMMV”

 

[DC3]

Well, jeez, just stay at home and roll yourself into a ball.

Do you suspect you’re going to get poisoned every time you tuck into a steak you’ve bought from the supermarket? Don’t touch that Lindt ball on your Qantas flight!

Do something nice. The recipient may not appreciate it, they may not like chocolates but in the case of airline crew I don’t have the opportunity to survey them before hand.

i’m happy to make the gesture and I’m pretty sure it’s always appreciated. “ YMMV”

I’m not trying to change any deep-seated views here. Let … it … go.

Edited:

 

[Flyfrequently]

That is the beauty of AFF family - we can all provide different perspectives without tearing lumps off each other.

I like reading the different perspectives

Personally - I loathe FR chocolate so would never give them to anyone.

I leave a note card during flight to show appreciation for exceptional service, and send feedback of same to the airline mentioning by name if someone went above and beyond.

I would never reward a service not yet given (ie start of flight) as not sure what this gift is meant to represent or how it may be interpreted. If I see pax get special service from doing so would probably see as negative

But everyone is different

I take your points @MARTINE and agree with different views offering various perspectives.

For domestic short haul, especially late in the day flights, I give a sleeve/sealed selection of chocolates upon boarding with a handwritten note.
I say thank you and here is a "boost for your blood sugar" with a smile - this has always been well received.

I do not expect anything in return, as I can understand how carp you can feel after a very long day dealing with pax/ delays etc.

Always acknowledge good service (not freebies) via email feedback to Customer Compliments.
But that is just me

 

[MARTINE]

I take your points @MARTINE and agree with different views, offer a good perspective.

For domestic short haul, especially late in the day flights, I give a sleeve/sealed selection of chocolates upon boarding with a handwritten note.
I say thank you and here is a "boost for your blood sugar" with a smile - this has always been well received.

I do not expect anything in return, but can understand how carp you can feel after a very long day dealing with pax/ delays etc.

Always acknowledge good service (not freebies) via email feedback to Customer Compliments.
But that is just me

I also take all your points on board and agree it can be a thankless difficult job and always give good feedback!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

On QF domestic the crew would pretty much have unlimited access to Lindt balls and koko black. I guess anything that’s ’not those’ might be extra appreciated for variety

 

[Rayesfeg]

A close friend of mine is long haul cabin crew, and I asked them about this topic.
Occasionally they receive gifts in the forms of chocolates, but apparently these almost always end up in the trash. None of the staff want the calories and they can't be given to other passengers.
On top of that, there is the added pressure to remember who gave the gift (which can be challenging on large planes) and the expectation of having to be extra nice/attentive to the passengers that gifted it.
Seems that sometimes the nice gesture is either wasted or adds to the workload.

 

[lovestotravel]

A close friend of mine is long haul cabin crew, and I asked them about this topic.
Occasionally they receive gifts in the forms of chocolates, but apparently these almost always end up in the trash. None of the staff want the calories and they can't be given to other passengers.
On top of that, there is the added pressure to remember who gave the gift (which can be challenging on large planes) and the expectation of having to be extra nice/attentive to the passengers that gifted it.
Seems that sometimes the nice gesture is either wasted or adds to the workload.

Yep, never given a gift on a plane and never will.

Will say thanks to the CSM or equivalent if a staff member has been great, or I'll do the survey

 

[flyingfan]

A close friend of mine is long haul cabin crew, and I asked them about this topic.
Occasionally they receive gifts in the forms of chocolates, but apparently these almost always end up in the trash. None of the staff want the calories and they can't be given to other passengers.
On top of that, there is the added pressure to remember who gave the gift (which can be challenging on large planes) and the expectation of having to be extra nice/attentive to the passengers that gifted it.
Seems that sometimes the nice gesture is either wasted or adds to the workload.

That's a shame although not entirely shocking. Would your friend say the best thing is nothing, apart from just being a good, pleasant, polite passenger (who takes their headphones off when FAs come around)?

 

[Rayesfeg]

That's a shame although not entirely shocking. Would your friend say the best thing is nothing, apart from just being a good, pleasant, polite passenger (who takes their headphones off when FAs come around)?

The vibe I get is that cabin crew aren't teachers that are seeking out the 'best students'. From what I understand, a smile and a friendly greeting is more than sufficient.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Maybe the giftors need think outside the square and source a more imaginative gift?

 

[lovestotravel]

a good, pleasant, polite passenger (who takes their headphones off when FAs come around)?

On SQ you have to avoid doing that, otherwise you are taking your headphones off about 20 times during a meal service.

 

[blackcat20]

A close friend of mine is long haul cabin crew, and I asked them about this topic.
Occasionally they receive gifts in the forms of chocolates, but apparently these almost always end up in the trash. None of the staff want the calories and they can't be given to other passengers.
On top of that, there is the added pressure to remember who gave the gift (which can be challenging on large planes) and the expectation of having to be extra nice/attentive to the passengers that gifted it.
Seems that sometimes the nice gesture is either wasted or adds to the workload.

Definitely not been the case when I've gifted on long haul, the wrappers all through the galley gave them away

 

[Black Duck]

Definitely not been the case when I've gifted on long haul, the wrappers all through the galley gave them away

Or maybe they were particularly nice chocolates.

 

[LionKing]

I wonder whether gifts for cabin crew will be constituted as corruption, where it migh force or incentivise air stewarts provide goods or services for unfair advantage?