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paolo
New member
Username: paolo
Post Number: 1
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 29, 2006 - 07:59 am: | 
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Here's what happened. My wife and I arrived at a major airport 2 hours early in order to check in for a flight from the US to Europe on a major airline. We needed help at the ticket check in area because we were having difficulty scanning our passports. An airline employee "Brad" helped us check in. Fine. We went to the gate (quite a distance away) and boarded our flight when the time came.
Here's where we need advice: We settled in to our economy seats and within minutes a uniformed man approached us and asked us quietly if we would mind a free upgrade to first class. We agreed of course and made the move. Shortly after settling in our first class seats, "Brad" (the guy who helped us check in) came on board and came up to us in first class to inform us that he had arranged the upgrade. This meant that he had travelled all the way from check in to the gate just to inform us of what he had done. We thanked him profusely and then he left. We wondered later, was he expecting a tip? And if so, how much? What should we have done? Thanks in advance... |
yourcarrier
New member
Username: yourcarrier
Post Number: 1
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 29, 2006 - 08:33 am: |
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You're kidding...right? When your mom takes care of your kids do you tip her?
If you forget your lunch and your wife brings it to your office do you tip her?
When your neighbor helps you by mowing your yard when you are gone do you tip him?
There's more to this story than you are providing. Either you inadvertantly said something in his presence, the airline somehow inconvenienced you, or your wife was in a bikini. Airline staff know how to do two things, tell you your flight is late and move really, really slowly.
You're lucky you held onto your money - you'll need it for gas to get to and from the airport.
(Message edited by yourcarrier on July 29, 2006) |
porkrind
Junior Member
Username: porkrind
Post Number: 59
Registered: 07-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 29, 2006 - 08:35 am: |
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It would be ill advised to tip a gate or check-in agent. Although he might appreciate the gesture, accepting the tip could get him fired. If you're returning to the US soon, a small gift may be acceptable, but cash is a definite no-no.
I seriously doubt he was "expecting" a tip. My guess is that the flight was oversold in coach and you were booked into a fare class that gave him some latitude for an international upgrade. If you're a frequent flyer, membership in the airline's affinity program may have improved your chances.
PorkRind
The Crunchy Other White Meat Byproduct
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jammie
Senior Member
Username: jammie
Post Number: 1227
Registered: 06-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 29, 2006 - 01:59 pm: |
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paolo, could I suggest a letter/email to the airline letting them know how much you appreciated Brads help. That would be a great gesture.
I dont think that airline employees are allowed to accept monetary gratuities. Every time I have been in first class, I always offer a tip to the in flight attendant and have been refused. |
paolo
New member
Username: paolo
Post Number: 2
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 07:37 pm: |
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Thanks, everyone, for your input. Thinking it over, we probably got upgraded because the flight was overbooked, we were travelling without kids, we were dressed nicely, and we had arrived very early. But for the life of me, I cannot figure out why Brad would travel all that distance (from ticket check in to the gate) and then get on the plane, seek us out, just to tell us that he was responsible for recommending the upgrade, without hinting for a tip! And in front of the first class flight attendants who kept bugging me about hanging up my blazer, and selecting my entree! I don't know. I just don't get it and I'm just too cynical to believe that he did all that for our verbal thank-you's. (I have to admit that I did spend a moment or two thinking that we were on Candid Camera or something!) |
jammie
Senior Member
Username: jammie
Post Number: 1242
Registered: 06-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 07:57 pm: |
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paolo, dont over think it. Isnt it nice to fly first class? |
goldenfoxx
Member
Username: goldenfoxx
Post Number: 147
Registered: 10-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 02, 2006 - 01:32 am: |
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Paolo,
I love that someone went out of there way for you. I would appreciate the name of the airline so I know who to look for next time I fly.
Just a little side note; the note to the airline is a great idea, but my friend once sent a box of chocolate to a lady who helped him when he was trying to get into UCSD. Sometimes thats better than a tip. Money can be percieved as your buying someones help, while a gift like chocolate or wine shows that you went out of your way to show your appreciation. Just my two cents. |
paolo
New member
Username: paolo
Post Number: 3
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 02, 2006 - 07:33 am: |
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>>>paolo, dont over think it. Isnt it nice to fly first class?<<<
You're right. Boy was it hard flying back home in economy!!!
>>I love that someone went out of there way for you. I would appreciate the name of the airline so I know who to look for next time I fly.<<
It was Northwest. |
eeyore_conspiracy
Junior Member
Username: eeyore_conspiracy
Post Number: 95
Registered: 06-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 06, 2006 - 04:13 am: |
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This meant that he had travelled all the way from check in to the gate just to inform us of what he had done.
I doubt it was "just" to do that. He likely had other business or wanted to get away from his real job duties for a bit. He might have even commandeered one of those golf carts things to do it. |
teleburst
Senior Member
Username: teleburst
Post Number: 1104
Registered: 06-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 06, 2006 - 09:31 am: |
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"This meant that he had travelled all the way from check in to the gate just to inform us of what he had done.
I doubt it was "just" to do that. He likely had other business or wanted to get away from his real job duties for a bit. He might have even commandeered one of those golf carts things to do it".
That's certainly possible. I'd like to think though that he was one of those increasing rare birds that takes personal pride in his company and his customer service and gets personal satisfaction in fulfilling the customer's wishes. It probably comes from the same well of satisfaction that comes from some restaurant guests' generosity in tipping. Some people get a good feeling out of tipping well. |