I just thought that this hilarious thread deserved to be topped again! Have fun!

Somebody should talk to Ralph Fiennes about proper tipping of the flight crew. Seems he might have overdone it.

Now that I have stopped laughing.......

Between this thread, and the more recent "Gifts for the flight crew", and "Queso dip for the landlady".....I have been unable to get my work done. The laughter has relieved me of a headache that was caused, in part, by having to work for a living.

Thank you,

Poor & hired out in Texas.....

I honestly found this to be an interesting question. My first thought was, "why would I tip the pilot. He is already getting paid for his job."
I think it is impossible to tip everyone that works during your trip.

Remind me again:
When is it parody, and when is it satire?

Topping.. but isn't it parody when someone is imitating you because you're wonderful.. and satire if they are making fun of you? great post.. comment for Jezebel.. age discrimination is terrible.. why tip the older FA's less - they actually need more tips for the bunion pads!

topping this oldie but goodie...

Now that I have reached platinum elite (yeah...the good side of flying every week!), I get bumped up most of the time. Do I tip based on my paid fare, or the first class price??? How do I show that expense on my expense report? Is it deductible as a business expense?

:)

Anne

Anne you should really get up and offer your seat in 1st to some poor soul back in steerage....

The comic strip Sheldon made me laugh out loud this morning, for reasons only a Fodorite would understand:
http://www.sheldoncomics.com/strips/sd070721.gif

The writer of that comic strip must be a Fodorite. :-D

Nice one-

Love the comic strip!!

Well, now I know what the old timers are talking about when they refer to all those good old days on Fodor's!

My favorite is swapping the Fodor's pin for the pilots wings...

hee, hee.

gruezi

I'm confused.

When I tip the pilot do I calculate the 15% just on the airfare, or do I add on the 1st bag fee, 2nd bag fee, excess baggage fee, online reservation fee, itinerary change fee, pillow & blanket fee, drink fee, and exit row seat fee?

It's hard to keep track nowadays.

J62, when adding in all those extras, don't forget the new charge for meals on overseas flights. Or should we tip the FA's instead of the pilot when we purchase food?

And will one of the FA's serve as a restroom attendant who expects a tip too?

After the flight, are we expected to tip the plane cleaners?

Flying is so confusing these days. :-(

I just thought of the best tip of all:

Print this out and hand it to the flight crew the next time you fly.

Except maybe they'll be too busy reading and laughing to serve those lousy miniature pretzels.

Those who have recommended separate tips for the pilot and the flight attendants obviously are not aware that the airline crews are required to pool their tips. This ensures that the co-pilot, whom nobody has suggested tipping, gets his share.

Not to mention that the crew has to pay a portion of the tip total to the crew who replenishes the snacks and drinks at layovers, the luggage handlers (who, when insufficiently tipped, hideously mutilate a piece of luggage in full view of the passengers, as an "example"), and of course the brave guy with the wands who waves the plane in.

Tips of miscellaneous chotchkeys are also put into a pool, and those who draw the short straw have to take them in lieu of their share of the loot.

Maybe if I tip the baggage handlers they will stop losing my luggage!! :-L

I have only read a few of the posts and already I am in stitches!!!!!

Nice to see the thread has survived! And even searchable!!