Non-Revving International Flights

Vyse

Vyse

BirchJet CA
May need to travel internationally via ID90 next month, and I've heard that identifying yourself as a pilot and giving the crew a small gift of some kind is a thing.

How many of you have tried this? Have you ever gotten negative blowback? Was thinking of doing it, but with my luck, I'd probably draw the CCL who hates pilots and chocolate. Never know until you try though.
 
Vyse said:
May need to travel internationally via ID90 next month, and I've heard that identifying yourself as a pilot and giving the crew a small gift of some kind is a thing.

How many of you have tried this? Have you ever gotten negative blowback? Was thinking of doing it, but with my luck, I'd probably draw the CCL who hates pilots and chocolate. Never know until you try though.
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It would be a nice gesture, but unless you're, say, dealing with an immigration official or a drug lord on a roadside "checkpoint" in a country that speaks language you don't understand, I'd say no bribe is required :D

Seriously, though, I think your token of appreciation will be warmly received by an international crew. Most of them are not as, eh, "stuffy" as us Americans and will see it as an expression of gratitude.
 
I did it while jumpseating out of Tokyo, bought two boxes of chocolate in the store at the airport, and gave one to the lead flight attendant and one to the flight deck crew as a thank you for the ride. I didn't get any upgrade or anything for it, but it felt like a nice thing to do for the free ride.

Edit to add: I realize this may not be what your talking about now. Oops, carry on
 
I always bring crews American treats or trinkets when I ZED on KLM. They always appreciate the gesture, and it's a nice ice breaker to ask them for local knowledge of any good places to go once we get to our destination.
 
I almost always give the flight attendant at the door a box of chocolates, let them know I'm traveling on a ZED fare from another carrier and really appreciate the ride. I DON'T tell them I'm a pilot. I also often will leave a (small) box of chocolates or mac nuts with the gate agent if they've been helpful in clearing a seat. I'd say about 20% of the time it results in a better seat and about 50% of the time I get extra water, snacks, goodies from Business Class etc, although that's not at all why I do it.
 
BobDDuck said:
I almost always give the flight attendant at the door a box of chocolates, let them know I'm traveling on a ZED fare from another carrier and really appreciate the ride. I DON'T tell them I'm a pilot. I also often will leave a (small) box of chocolates or mac nuts with the gate agent if they've been helpful in clearing a seat. I'd say about 20% of the time it results in a better seat and about 50% of the time I get extra water, snacks, goodies from Business Class etc, although that's not at all why I do it.
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Why don't you tell the FA, that you're a pilot?
 
BobDDuck said:
I almost always give the flight attendant at the door a box of chocolates, let them know I'm traveling on a ZED fare from another carrier and really appreciate the ride. I DON'T tell them I'm a pilot. I also often will leave a (small) box of chocolates or mac nuts with the gate agent if they've been helpful in clearing a seat. I'd say about 20% of the time it results in a better seat and about 50% of the time I get extra water, snacks, goodies from Business Class etc, although that's not at all why I do it.
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Same here, we've gratefully received the rare seat upgrade and some extra goodies here & there. Funny how taking care of each other and that karma thing works.
 
Why don't you tell the FA, that you're a pilot?
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They might have dated one and it ended badly.
They might have been treated badly by a flight deck crew during a trip.
They might not like your particular airline.
There were a number at my previous airline who only talked to Captains- I've seen that as well.

So yeah, I don't do it either if I'm not in uniform. (Unless jumpseating, then it's fairly obviously that I am one)
 
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