Flight attendants are getting busted for accepting gifts from passengers – after passengers have been inspired to bribe their crew by a viral TikTok trend.
Here’s one video talking about giving gifts to flight attendants for perks. He scores extra space and snacks. Of course, they’re snacks that belong to the airline and you can’t just move into any empty seat you wish anymore, like when I was younger, since airlines now upcharge for the better seats. It’s seen as stealing from their employer.
@henryjwade A little charm & confidence goes a long way ✈️ #upgrade #emirates #fly #businessclass #economy ♬ A Summer Place – Hollywood Strings Orchestra
A flight attendant shares that a fellow crewmember at one of the major U.S. carriers has been suspended and is under investigation for accepting a bribe after another passenger complained.
I work for a US based carrier. It’s a big one. One of my best friends and coworkers is currently under investigation for accepting “bribes”.
I guess every pax now knows about the “viral tik tok trend” of passengers giving crew members gifts. I’m not going to go into too too much detail cause it’s still an active investigation but she has been pulled off the line and they are investigating the situation. Why? Another passenger complained about another passenger getting better treatment.
The flight attendant goes on to say, “I guess my friend thanked the pax and was like “let me know if you need anything”” but then later acknowledged it may have involved giving out extra free drinks.
Some people like to give out chocolates to their flight crew, or to agents in the airline lounge. Others prefer to hand out small Starbucks gift cards. This isn’t expected.
Most airlines don’t permit flight attendants to accept tips, and flight attendants themselves have mixed feelings on the subject – some are in favor because they want more money (although a tipping norm may ultimately lead to lower salaries), while others worry the emphasis would then shift from safety to service.
At American Airlines, airport customer service employees are allowed to accept “promotional items, complimentary tickets or perishable gifts (candy, fruit, etc)” that’s worth no more than $100. American tells employees to “share[..] with colleagues when practical.” However gifts worth over $100 must be returned. Employees are not allowed to accept “cash, gift cards, and gift certificates” regardless of amount. So no Starbucks gift cards.
At several airlines, customer tips, credit card signups, and duty free or meal purchases affect cabin crew compensation.
- Flight attendants at Frontier Airlines went viral before the pandemic because the airline had a policy of supplementing cabin crew wages with customer tips.
- On many airlines flight attendants earn a commission on credit cards passengers sign up for. If you want to ‘tip’ cabin crew, maybe the best way to do it is apply for a credit card using their referral code.
- At Ryanair they have an inflight sales quota, the opposite of a tip or commission, they’re disciplined if they’re not closing sales. On Ryanair, buy stuff from your crew.
Your airline also may give you employee recognition certificates, if you have status with them, and those can entitle them to entries in a drawing for big prizes or other benefits.
Of course I find the best way to get ‘special treatment’ is to just be nice, and if you don’t get what you want or need to just ask someone else (“hang up, call back“).
(HT: Paddle Your Own Kanoo)
In Snyder v. United States, the Supreme Court ruled that the federal bribery statute (18 U.S.C. § 666) does not criminalize ‘gratuities,’ so as long as you call it a ‘tip,’ it ain’t a bribe! *sigh*
Also, those AI thumbnails sure do ‘enhance’ Gary’s website. Like, well done, sir. Keep ’em coming!
I guess airline policy is more at play than federal bribery statutes. However, a suspension seems a little strong.
I give 4-5 $15 Starbucks gift cards on each long-haul flight I take with American Airlines and have done so for about five years. I’ve never had a flight attendant refuse it. They are given discretely and prior to the provision of any service.
Give me a break. Anyone can accept a $400M “gift” and still be POTUS.
Ironically, the airline in question has donated millions to the same person
Snitches are scum…..
I often get something for the entire flight crew. I try to avoid the typical chocolates and such. I like to get things that are wrapped individually so they can split it up between themselves if they don’t finish it. I don’t expect anything in return but once in a while I have been given things free when I try to order. A JAL flight attendant gave me a little model plane once.
I don’t expect to get anything. I even give this on my international flights when all the alcohol and food are included. I just want the flight crew to know that I appreciate them. I’ve been known to buy two of it so I have something to give my flight crew on the way back without searching for something while on vacation.
I give my flight crew a gift of chocolates. I get a fairly large box that has each chocolate individually wrapped. I also give them a thank you note for their service and everything they do for the flight. I don’t expect anything in return. I have always received a thank you from each member of the crew. I do buy two of the same boxes of candy one for my outgoing flight and one for my incoming flight. It’s just a nice way of saying “I appreciate you.”
I fly long haul a lot for work and get to fly up front, but I very often fly with 2 bags of Giradelli (individually wrapped) which I give to the purser, “for the crew”. 1 for outbound, 1 for return.
Always seems to go down well.
Local savory snacks are genuinely appreciated, e.g. jamón Iberico and cheese when departing Spain. Don’t like Starbucks myself but try to keep a dozen or so $8 cards in stock.
How does this random passenger know that the other person. Is not entitled to the extra treatment. Status gets you extra treatment sometimes, and there is no way to know someone’s status with the airline.
I’m probably the only person in the country who does not participate in or even care to know about “viral Tik Tok trends.” Lately too many people have been asking me what I think of LeBron James, so I suppose I’m missing out on something there too.
@DaveS — Well, sir, is James the GOAT? Or is it Jordan? Don’t leave us hanging like that, mah man…