The Case For ‘Tipping’ Flight Attendants #DadLife

The holidays are just around the corner, which means I will be taking my wife and kids to the friendly skies to visit family. Traveling is fun, but it's a whole new adventure when you're doing it with a 3-year-old and 5-year-old. When flying, it usually means we need a little bit more attention and the flight crew is always very accommodating.

But should you tip flight attendants? My first thought was "NO". They are not waitresses, they are safety workers. They are trained to keep us safe, so I would think it would be an insult to slip them a few bucks as a tip. But what if you gave them something even more useful: caffeine?

A LinkedIn article lays out a good argument for 'paying it forward' when boarding a flight. The writer says he usually buys a couple $5.00 Starbucks gift cards when he gets his own coffee before a flight. He tries to introduce himself to the flight attendants when he boards the plane and let them know where he's sitting. Despite the perks that come with showing just a shred of kindness, the writer says he's often offered free food and other beverages on board.

When my daughters were babies, I used to worry about them crying for the entire flight, but now it's more about unexpected bathroom trips and changes in drink choice. Either way, I always think it's a good day to make someone's day.

Yours in conquering #DadLife,

Rob Kirkpatrick

You can read the full LinkedIn article HERE.