Gifts for cabin crew

[DejaBrew]

Boarding QF65 last week, the chap behind me gifted the CSM at the door some chocolates. It was such an awkward interaction and very much came across as an attempted bribe. Just my observation as a independent third party to the event.

Out of curiosity, what was their gifting approach?

 

[Daver6]

Out of curiosity, what was their gifting approach?

When entering the aircraft and you show your boarding pass, he also handed over what looked like a box of chocolates to the CSM who was one of two crew doing the door meet and greet.

 

[DejaBrew]

When entering the aircraft and you show your boarding pass, he also handed over what looked like a box of chocolates to the CSM who was one of two crew doing the door meet and greet.

Sorry, I should have been a bit clearer with my question. I assumed that's what they'd done, but was wondering if you'd overheard any particular aspects of the interaction between passenger and crew, or had simply witnessed them handing something over and that was the extent of it?

 

[Daver6]

Sorry, I should have been a bit clearer with my question. I assumed that's what they'd done, but was wondering if you'd overheard any particular aspects of the interaction between passenger and crew, or had simply witnessed them handing something over and that was the extent of it?

I only heard the first part of it as I needed to keep moving. The guy mentioned something along the lines of here is a gift for the crew.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I only heard the first part of it as I needed to keep moving. The guy mentioned something along the lines of here is a gift for the crew.

To be fair… maybe the person does the same thing when entering a supermarket, restaurant, bar, or any other place where staff work!

Yeah nah. Didn't think so.

 

[TheRealTMA]

To be fair… maybe the person does the same thing when entering a supermarket, restaurant, bar, or any other place where staff work!

Yeah nah. Didn't think so.

And I bet they rail against paying €1 to use a toilet in Europe.

 

[lovestotravel]

Boarding QF65 last week, the chap behind me gifted the CSM at the door some chocolates. It was such an awkward interaction and very much came across as an attempted bribe. Just my observation as a independent third party to the event.

Sam Chui

 

[Daver6]

Witnessing the event got me thinking about this. If you want to thank the crew, go out of your way to thank them. If you really want it to be known, submit the compliment online for feedback. That (I'm told) gets passed on to the crew, but also alerts leadership too.

On QF66 I had an amazing crew. Obviously the CSM came round prior to landing (WP in J). I thanked her personally but also praised her crew. I also let her know I'd be submitting online positive feedback as well, which I have done.

The more I think about it, any gifting prior to knowing how service is going to be is likely to be seen as some form of inducement. I'm fully aware it might not be intended but you wouldn't do that in any other business, so why do it for a flight.

 

[lovestotravel]

Witnessing the event got me thinking about this. If you want to thank the crew, go out of your way to thank them. If you really want it to be known, submit the compliment online for feedback. That (I'm told) gets passed on to the crew, but also alerts leadership too.

On QF66 I had an amazing crew. Obviously the CSM came round prior to landing (WP in J). I thanked her personally but also praised her crew. I also let her know I'd be submitting online positive feedback as well, which I have done.

The more I think about it, any gifting prior to knowing how service is going to be is likely to be seen as some form of inducement. I'm fully aware it might not be intended but you wouldn't do that in any other business, so why do it for a flight.

Yep - The best way to do it, helps with promotions etc, have done it several times on SQ and VA

 

[Skyring]

I often take little gifties. A sealed pack of Ferrero Rocher in the sturdy clear plastic box, with enough for each of the crew. I print up a little note saying how I appreciate their basically walking a marathon on their aching feet while I sit back and watch TV.

It's just a little extra – a few bucks in Coles when they are on special which they frequently are – and it makes people smile. I like making people smile.

I don't expect anything back. Sometimes it sinks without trace, sometimes I get an assortment of extras – a cap, a postcard, a pen – but that genuine, open smile is reward enough and it lifts me up, because sometimes I've had a stressful day too.

I did once use this as a kind of bribe and it worked superbly well. The story is here.

Thoroughly endorse using the feedback system to supply praise for any crew members who did an excellent job. Some of these FAs go above and beyond. Worth checking at the end of the flight exactly how their name is spelled and why you want to know.

 

[RooFlyer]

Boarding QF65 last week, the chap behind me gifted the CSM at the door some chocolates. It was such an awkward interaction and very much came across as an attempted bribe. Just my observation as a independent third party to the event.

Deservedly awkward and sounds like an attempted bribe.

Just don’t judge all GTTCC as being the same, or with the same motivation or reason, as some here are just determined to keep doing .

 

[DC3]

… the chap behind me gifted the CSM at the door some chocolates. It was such an awkward interaction and very much came across as an attempted bribe …

Cringe worthy

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Deservedly awkward and sounds like an attempted bribe.

Just don’t judge all GTTCC as being the same, or with the same motivation or reason, as some here are just determined to keep doing .

There are some that say there is ‘no intention’ to creat awkwardness or expectation of any benefit in return… but isn’t that just as bad as the real thing?

If you give gifts but haven’t though about the potential implications… how it looks, or whether the crew might feel under obligation?

That’s for ‘pre-service’ gift givers. After the event… like as you’re waiting to disembark, would have no connotations.

Actually can someone who gives them on boarding say why they don’t wait until after the flight?

 

[BenP]

Actually can someone who gives them on boarding say why they don’t wait until after the flight?

Personally for me
1. I'm usually at the back of the plane by choice, so I give it to the attendant doing the stuff in the galley - That way they have somewhere to put it/throw it away etc
2. If I don't it on boarding I'm likely to forget and I jus twant to get off the plane

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Personally for me
1. I'm usually at the back of the plane by choice, so I give it to the attendant doing the stuff in the galley - That way they have somewhere to put it/throw it away etc
2. If I don't it on boarding I'm likely to forget and I jus twant to get off the plane

But if the service is so amazing, you wouldn’t forget?

 

[RB]

I often take little gifties. A sealed pack of Ferrero Rocher in the sturdy clear plastic box, with enough for each of the crew. I print up a little note saying how I appreciate their basically walking a marathon on their aching feet while I sit back and watch TV.

It's just a little extra – a few bucks in Coles when they are on special which they frequently are – and it makes people smile. I like making people smile.

I don't expect anything back. Sometimes it sinks without trace, sometimes I get an assortment of extras – a cap, a postcard, a pen – but that genuine, open smile is reward enough and it lifts me up, because sometimes I've had a stressful day too.

I did once use this as a kind of bribe and it worked superbly well. The story is here.

Thoroughly endorse using the feedback system to supply praise for any crew members who did an excellent job. Some of these FAs go above and beyond. Worth checking at the end of the flight exactly how their name is spelled and why you want to know.

But the cap, postcard, pens, sometimes bottles of wine actually don't belong to the crew?

 

[MARTINE]

I am interested in the choice of Ferrero Rocher (which is common on this thread). I am a non-gifter but wouldn’t Lindt be more like it?!
Just curious

 

[Happy Dude]

I am interested in the choice of Ferrero Rocher (which is common on this thread). I am a non-gifter but wouldn’t Lindt be more like it?!
Just curious

Feel this debate would warrant its own thread. Like the Lurpak butter one. Even though it's clear that Lindt is far superior.

 

[Forg]

I am interested in the choice of Ferrero Rocher (which is common on this thread). I am a non-gifter but wouldn’t Lindt be more like it?!
Just curious

Lindt chocolate yes, but Lindt balls are … weird, they’re like a chocolate-substitute made out of cheap olive-oil or similar. They’re sorta like balls of Hersheys.

But the idea of separately-wrapped bite-size pieces would make both work well to share.

 

[Aeryn]

I dont think I've ever met anyone who like Ferrero Rocher, they always taste a bit stale. They were a thing in the 80s when they first came out but arent considered anything special. My SIL is a teacher and she says at years end the charity bin is full of Ferrero Rocher that teachers received from that non one wants.

I presume no one gifts Lindo balls because a. they melt too easily and b. at least int he case of Qantas they are usually freely available on board.

I dont bribe air crew but if I were to gift something Id aim for something Australian at least - i think foreign crews would get more of a kick out of some tim tams or caramelo koalas than spanish Ferrero Rocher.