Puck

Can't believe such supposedly-sophisticated people making such silly mistakes. <BR> <BR>You only tip 15-20% when it's a US airline. As experienced travelers are sure to know when flying on a European carrier one just rounds up, leaving no more than 5%.

ohoh

Of course -- Service is included already in most of Europe. When it's only 5% you can get rid of those pesky foreign coins that just mess up vending machines at home.

Aghast

I am apalled at this entire posting. What is this world coming to? You MUST all be economy class passengers. <BR> <BR>I can not believe that after being on the receiving end of pleasant service by the flight attendants and a safe flight from the pilot (AND HIS COPILOT, YOU INCONSIDERATE LOUTS), that you would deem it appropriate to show your thanks with dirty money. <BR> <BR>Personally, I am one who still believes in old-fashioned courtesy, and for that reason, I always travel with several boxes of my custom-made stationary, which I use to write a personal, touching thank you to each service person I encounter. If the service has been particularly noteworthy, I will even include a little token of appreciation in with the note. On flights from the US to Europe, for example, I usually tuck in a few packets of ketchup - they charge for it over there, you know, and those little costs can really add up for someone on a flight attendant's salary.

Julius

One of the all time funny-clever posts. I wouldn't even THINK of competing with you folks! Just enjoying....Julius

Deb

Gee, I was so sure that the pilot just appreciated my acts of personal affirmation - Every ten mintues, I yell from right behind the cockpit door "KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!" I suppose money or a note would make him a little less jittery. Thanks for the suggestions.

SharonM

I usually "tip" the pilot and FAs with all the illegal fruits, flowers, and meats that I need to unload before going through customs. From the look of shock on their faces, I always know how much they appreciate my gesture. <BR>(It's also a good way to lighten up my many carry-ons.)

ohno

I was wondering how much longer I would have to wait for another funny thread, and here it is. Joisy--yours takes the cake.

Judy

TIP to Fodors: This is the perfect grab bag question IMO! Unless of course you want to be PC, then you will not run this fab thread! Judy <BR>Deb: prize winner, in fact they almost all are prize winners! <BR> Regular Seinfelds,all!

Tiptop

for all those wackos on the us forum

Cindy

My question is, do you have to tip the pilot if the plane crashes? Presumably if this is the case he has already been overtipped, if you catch my drift. Plus, is there a difference if you crash over land or over water? In one case it would be thoughtful to present the tip in an asbestos envelope; in the other, a Ziploc baggie would suffice. I would suggest bringing along both, since you don't know in advance which you're likely to need.

Marie

The United States readers have been referred to this post, so back to the top.

Miss Manners

My dear Babs, <BR>You are probably unaware that pilots command a rather large salary, and monetary gratuities are not called for. Miss Manners travels with a few sheets of elegant wrapping paper in which she present the pilot with a lovely gift. Some tasteful gifts I have given include: <BR>A small framed photo of my granddaughter's first Communion. No larger than a 5 x 7, as there is limited space in the cockpit. <BR>A refrigerator magnet of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. <BR>Miss Manners suggests a paperback "Ten Ways to Successfully get your Plane out of China". <BR>A Gideon Bible. These can be gotten extremely inexpensively. <BR>A lovely key-chain featuring our Holy Father, Pope John Paul, if you think he might possibly be Catholic.(the pilot, not the Pope). <BR>A lovely audio tape for those boring moments, might I suggest "Conway Twitty's Greatest Hits" <BR>An enchanting gift set consisting of shampoo, lotion, shower cap, and perhaps a mending kit. You can tastefully scratch off Holiday Inn-Birmingham. To leave it on, Miss Manners considers very tacky. <BR>If your financial situation warrants it, you may be able to find a marvelous T-shirt "My parents went to Helsinki, and all they brought me was a lousy T-shirt." Miss Manners suggest extra-large, not knowing the pilot's size. <BR>These are just a few suggestions, Babs, I'm sure our delightful readers must have more ideas. Enjoy your trip.

Single

If the pilot is cute, I would really enjoy it if he gave me HIS "tip!"

Stephen

I have read many a newspaper article that talks of how exhausted and overworked international pilots are. <BR>So I think the considerate thing to do to help them out would be to present them with a travel kit consisting of: <BR> a nice eyeshade mask, high quality earplugs, warm toasty slippers (pilots like the ones shaped like ducks I have been told), a pair of loose fitting sweat pants, a neck pillow, a soft cashmere blanket with a rodeo design woven into it and a nice cup of Belgian hot chocolate. Oh, and don't forget the CD of lullabies so the pilot can get his rest from take-off to landing (or past that).

Tim

I find that if I tip the pilot, I get a much smoother ride that the others in the plane, and I usually arrive a little sooner as well. <BR> <BR>Try it, it's worth it!

Oliver

I'm an adorable street urchin meself <BR>and I've found singing "I'll do anything for you, dear, anything" while batting me huge crytal blue eyes at the pilot and cluching his left leg with all me strength works quite well.

Nomoney

If money is a problem, one could of course invite everybody (crew and passengers) for a barbecue (or "braai" as we call it) in first class. Using a gas cylinder to get the T-bones done is not quite the real thing - an open fire is the way to do it. (I am not quite sure what would happen to the smoke -open the window?) <BR> <BR>Bring in some beers, music, singing and dancing in the aisles and you would have many new friends at the end of the flight. ("WOW moment" - has anybody tried a sing-along in a flight? Did it work?) <BR> <BR>If the size of the fire is an issue, you could consider making a "potjiekos" which is throwing anything that you can into an iron pot and put it on a very slow and small open fire. Liquid refreshments, beers, music and singing is a definite requisite here as the food takes quite a while to be cooked - you, however, are also done by that time - ideal for a long flight.

Kate

Good way to bond with lads in cockpit - send beverage (alcoholic) of their choice - start a "round" system (no, no, this is my twist!) - camraderie on long flights only way to pass the time. Swap recipes with stewardesses - perhaps they could whip up a fresh dish while you sip your drink (sent down from el capitan!)

Nice guy

Two words: SWEAT PANTS. <BR> <BR>Pilots love the 'easy access,' and they're available in many jazzy colors. <BR> <BR> <BR>

hornyspice

I think I joined the mile high club with the same flight attendant and husband that naughty did and now I have a rash...my "tip" is watch who you're sleeping with......