Tipping problem in LAX TBIT Lounge [is back]

[Sdtravel]

Apparently the tipping problem in LAX TBIT is back
Something dfcatch may want to bring up with management.
My brother was in their this morning. As he went for a shower the attendant picked up $2 that was left behind in the room. He then watched the attendant leave and take it to another room and put it in there ready to be picked up when the next person came in.
My brother even noted it was a scam saying "it would be the first thing they pick up when they clean the room, not left till the next person came in"

Sad as this was addressed i thought but its obviously coming back.

 

[kpc]

Re: TBIT 'Qantas' Business Lounge - extremely confused, as are staff

Apparently the tipping problem in LAX TBIT is back
Something dfcatch may want to bring up with management.
My brother was in their this morning. As he went for a shower the attendant picked up $2 that was left behind in the room. He then watched the attendant leave and take it to another room and put it in there ready to be picked up when the next person came in.
My brother even noted it was a scam saying "it would be the first thing they pick up when they clean the room, not left till the next person came in"

Sad as this was addressed i thought but its obviously coming back.

A passenger should just pick up the $2 and put it in his / her own pocket!!

 

[opusman]

Re: TBIT 'Qantas' Business Lounge - extremely confused, as are staff

A passenger should just pick up the $2 and put it in his / her own pocket!!

No chance, the attendant jumps in first in the pretense of showing you to your shower room, and then very innocently exclaims "oh let me get that out of the way for you sir" as if he is doing you a favour by cleaning up the horrible money some unthinking cad left behind.

All serves to detract from the first class experience unfortunately.

 

[Sdtravel]

Re: TBIT 'Qantas' Business Lounge - extremely confused, as are staff

Yeh. Its a real shame this keeps happening despite responses from QF that it has been fixed and that tipping isn't required or permitted.
But unfortunately as its an external party it has come back.

 

[Brisbane Flyer]

Re: TBIT 'Qantas' Business Lounge - extremely confused, as are staff

Yeh.
But unfortunately as its an external party it has come back.

it's not an external party issue, it's reality in most parts of America, a low hourly wage supplemented by tips.
People will do what they can, when they can.

 

[serfty]

Re: TBIT 'Qantas' Business Lounge - extremely confused, as are staff

Was in the FL this morning.

I had no problem with entry using a LAX-PHX BP and my WP card.

Did have a shower and while I was escorted to the room but saw no $$.

 

[Sdtravel]

Re: TBIT 'Qantas' Business Lounge - extremely confused, as are staff

Different set of showers in FL isn't there. It also could be down to individual attendants who are after tips.

 

[MFM3012]

Re: TBIT 'Qantas' Business Lounge - extremely confused, as are staff

When I was at the LAX QF biz lounge recently the staff were clearly putting "tips" in the bathroom expecting a tip to be left for them. I understand that the staff are probably not paid a lot - but if this lounge is a little bit of Australia in LA - with a lot of Australian passengers passing through my preference would be that the staff are appropriately paid (so that tips are not expected but given because it's good service. I can't say that the service that I have received in this lounge has been exceptional.

 

[Milefest]

Re: TBIT 'Qantas' Business Lounge - extremely confused, as are staff

When I was at the LAX QF biz lounge recently the staff were clearly putting "tips" in the bathroom expecting a tip to be left for them. I understand that the staff are probably not paid a lot - but if this lounge is a little bit of Australia in LA - with a lot of Australian passengers passing through my preference would be that the staff are appropriately paid (so that tips are not expected but given because it's good service. I can't say that the service that I have received in this lounge has been exceptional.

I agree that the staff should be paid a reasonable wage but providing tips does not improve service as various studies have suggested. The best thing to do is to not contribute to an economically damaging tradition that ultimately devastates the service industry's wages.

 

[DC3]

Re: TBIT 'Qantas' Business Lounge - extremely confused, as are staff

While we all have our own views on tipping, the QF lounges in LAX are unlikely to become known for changing the tipping culture in the USA.

Those who choose to tip are free to do so. Those who don't, won't. I wouldn't worry too much about the tipping culture.

 

[Sdtravel]

Re: TBIT 'Qantas' Business Lounge - extremely confused, as are staff

I think i saw in another thread an official response from QF advising tipping wasn't needed in any of its lounges.

 

[RooFlyer]

Re: TBIT 'Qantas' Business Lounge - extremely confused, as are staff

I think i saw in another thread an official response from QF advising tipping wasn't needed in any of its lounges.

Definitely; and the lurk of leaving change in the shower room when you are shown in was reported by me (and others) about a year ago and jumped on by Red Roo at the time. (RR isn't about at the moment, being the time of year, else I'm sure they would jump on it again.)

However whether or not the staff are paid more to compensate for the lack of tips (would be that way anyway with a majority of Aussie customers) is unknown. Anecdotal evidence of a high staff turnover suggests that maybe the pay with few tips isn't enough.

 

[moa999]

Re: TBIT 'Qantas' Business Lounge - extremely confused, as are staff

If you see that - a quick prompt is required to the person opening the door for you -- " Do you expect a tip" - puts most people in their place

 

[Willy]

Re: TBIT 'Qantas' Business Lounge - extremely confused, as are staff

While we all have our own views on tipping, the QF lounges in LAX are unlikely to become known for changing the tipping culture in the USA.

Those who choose to tip are free to do so. Those who don't, won't. I wouldn't worry too much about the tipping culture.

I make a habit of handing a few bucks to the shower attendees in the FL at TBIT - the general response has been one of surprise as opposed to the typical US expectation of receiving gratuities.

 

[Danger]

Re: TBIT 'Qantas' Business Lounge - extremely confused, as are staff

Tipping. It's just so hard to know.

 

[opusman]

Re: TBIT 'Qantas' Business Lounge - extremely confused, as are staff

Tipping. It's just so hard to know.

Useful tip.

 

[BAM1748]

Re: TBIT 'Qantas' Business Lounge - extremely confused, as are staff

Definitely; and the lurk of leaving change in the shower room when you are shown in was reported by me (and others) about a year ago and jumped on by Red Roo at the time. (RR isn't about at the moment, being the time of year, else I'm sure they would jump on it again.)

However whether or not the staff are paid more to compensate for the lack of tips (would be that way anyway with a majority of Aussie customers) is unknown. Anecdotal evidence of a high staff turnover suggests that maybe the pay with few tips isn't enough.

A simple QF sign saying QF supports it's staff with above award pay, no tipping required is all that's needed.

But yes, maybe they don't pay that much so can't make that claim.

 

[DC3]

Re: TBIT 'Qantas' Business Lounge - extremely confused, as are staff

I make a habit of handing a few bucks to the shower attendees in the FL at TBIT - the general response has been one of surprise as opposed to the typical US expectation of receiving gratuities.

Yes, sharing a bit of happiness never goes astray.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Re: TBIT 'Qantas' Business Lounge - extremely confused, as are staff

Tipping. It's just so hard to know.

It is a huge stress point with us, as we don't want to do the wrong thing . Africa is easy on the whole - just tip everyone heaps - I view it as transfer of wealth from the first world to emerging economies! in the USA it is much more confusing outside of easy categories like bellboys and waiters and taxis. Also should you tip shower staff at Dubai - I hadn't even thought of it and if you should is US$ OK. Another thing to worry about!

 

[Flying Fox]

Re: TBIT 'Qantas' Business Lounge - extremely confused, as are staff

A passenger should just pick up the $2 and put it in his / her own pocket!!

Timing is wrong.

After your shower, check all the other showers to collect your tip