Cashless in the cabin

[Travelpro72]

I think 99.9% of flight attendants out there would use good judgement when dealing with a UM in a cashless cabin. The idea of going cashless is great for flight attendants and simplified for passengers. Again, not the end of the world. I have never really heard of WN or AA having issues with being cashless. I myself will LOVE not having to pimp the cabin for change or worry about toting around an elvelope with cash that isn't my own.

 

[FlightChic]

I am all for going cashless! As for the passengers who don't have a credit/debit card, then offer US Airways gift cards for them to purchase to use on the airplane. Have them available at the airport, at grocery stores, CVS anywhere where they sell gift cards. The service would go so much faster, no more having to find change, no more carrying around money throughout the trip and worrying about losing it or it being stolen, it would be great. I just hope they come up with some fixes for the transmission issues and have some procedures set it place for when the HHDs are inop. Imagine going to the West Coast with drinks, snacks, and BOB or across the pond with all the headsets and stuff yet no HHD. What would you do then?

 

[WhatBag?]

Okay, before the HHD's we only excepted Cash. So, these machines, NEVER transmit, ever! Is the Company ever going to recoup the money lost??? Especially if it is a fraud, or bad card?? Hello, the machines don't track or recieve the info, until on the ground! Think of all the crap, and banks to go thru and get the money back.
We always deposited money, not into a BRINKS, but Station personel, on every layover, and signed off. That is it!! Put safes in every station, and be done with it! Monies always deposted no matter location.

When done correctly, kept up, and every leg, the HHD is transmitting 96% of the time. F/A's are transmitting them 86% of the time. That is a FACT!! You can thank the lazy, inept f/a who doesn't transmit for back logging the system.

HHD IS going cashless next year, so get use to it and learn how to properly use them. There have been numerous memos, emails, a book to guide you on the a/c and a phone # to call. Use the materials given.

 

[Travelpro72]

Cashless cabins? FANTASTIC! ! ! Hitting "primary" and doing inventory of ALL items loaded? NEVER gonna happen. :down:

 

[JS]

I like paying cash. If you don't accept cash, you won't get my business.

 

[WhatBag?]

I like paying cash. If you don't accept cash, you won't get my business.

Then I hope you have a reliable car, because all the airlines are moving in that direction. Infact, your hometown airport's main players are cashless...AA and SW, What to do?

 

[etops1]

I like paying cash. If you don't accept cash, you won't get my business.

And that's your choice .I am happy for you but cashless is the way to go.

 

[Travelpro72]

I don't think going cashless is an inconvenience to passengers at all. I'm sorry but I'd venture to say that most passengers travel with a credit card or debit card. It is costly to process cash. Costly to the point that it costs the company almost as much to process as it brings in. It's a major hurdle sometimes to find change for the pax that wants to buy a can of Pringles for $3.00 and hands you a $50.00 bill. I have had this happen on more than one occasion on rather short flights. Where in HELL am I going to get change for that since we don't have a change fund? The company also doesn't want f/a's making a PA asking for change. Screw it, sorry cashless is the way to go. No card no drink.

 

[jimntx]

A couple of suggestions until you go cashless...

1. If they try to hand you a $50 bill, just say in a matter of fact tone, "I'm sorry, sir/ma'am. I'm not permitted to take bills that large." I've never had a passenger question that statement, and if they want the Pringles or the drink bad enough, I'm willing to bet that they will suddenly find something smaller in their wallet. The flight attendants are not the bank, and the passengers know it. And, the passengers also believe that if you can't find change you will (or have to) comp the purchase (see also suggestion #2). That's why they carry the big bills in the first place. (Unless, they are some yahoo who thinks others will be impressed by a $50 or $100 bill.)

2. When they pull out a $20 for a $3 purchase and you can see smaller bills in their wallet, you first ask them if they have anything smaller. If they say no--particularly if they are snippy about it, you just turn around and say within their earshot, "Does anyone have change for a $20? Free drink or snack to anyone who can make change for me." When the person who handed me the $20 asks why you didn't give them a free drink/snack, you just say, "Well, you see, the passenger who had change solved a problem for me." (Be sure and smile sweetly while you say that last sentence.)

 

[mdsbear]

When the person who handed me the $20 asks why you didn't give them a free drink/snack, you just say, "Well, you see, the passenger who had change solved a problem for me." (Be sure and smile sweetly while you say that last sentence.)

Like that a lot!!!

Go cashless! I'd rather be able to use my card than have to find an ATM to get money. I do want a receipt though - is that part of the deal?

I also think the idea of selling gift card at time of ticket purchase would be good too. Would it be possible to add it into the ticket price so the ticket stub could be scanned at time of sanck/drink purchase? Valid only for a specified amount of time? SOrt of like a debit card. That would certainly allow those who don't have or don't want to use a cc to still spend their money with U.

(Actually can't remember if the stub has a bar code on it but I'm sure it could be added if necessary)

 

[Travelpro72]

For those passengers who shiver at the thought of using a credit/debit card on the aircraft the selling of coupons before boarding is a great idea. The question is though, 'if done at the airport will they take cash'? Most likely this would be done at a kiosk. I think that anyone who would willingly stand in a crazy long line to buy a drink coupon needs their head examined.

 

[FlyGuyBWI]

Do you seriously believe that each of those youngsters on flights bought their own ticket? Kids traveling between divorced parents homes are plentiful in our society - one of the parents buys their ticket and off they go. Some even fly enough to earn status, but that doesn't mean that they have a credit/debit card. US would be smart to come up with a policy before some unfortunate incident appears in the media.

Jim

Good point, but back in the day when I was one of those UM's, I know that I had more cash in my wallet for my trip to and from Mom & Dad's than I have now on a working trip today (and that's back when food was provided!). Niether Mom nor Dad let me out of their sight without a few dollars and instructions on how to call collect (Gosh, I'm old!) .... The "ping-pong" kids have plenty of cash (and probably a platinum credit card or two, as well). And, in the event that they don't, I expect that most flight attendants will make SURE that they are taken care of ....

 

[JS]

Then I hope you have a reliable car, because all the airlines are moving in that direction. Infact, your hometown airport's main players are cashless...AA and SW, What to do?

Huh? I have to drive to my destination because I refuse to buy a snack on the plane if you won't take cash?

 

[JS]

Like that a lot!!!

Go cashless! I'd rather be able to use my card than have to find an ATM to get money. I do want a receipt though - is that part of the deal?

I also think the idea of selling gift card at time of ticket purchase would be good too. Would it be possible to add it into the ticket price so the ticket stub could be scanned at time of sanck/drink purchase? Valid only for a specified amount of time? SOrt of like a debit card. That would certainly allow those who don't have or don't want to use a cc to still spend their money with U.

(Actually can't remember if the stub has a bar code on it but I'm sure it could be added if necessary)

Yes, but who is going to bother with buying a snack two weeks in advance?

Even at the ticket counter you aren't going to get as many sales (far more losses than the allegedly HUGE costs of handling cash 🙄 )

If it weren't for impulse purchases, grocery stores would be half as big and convenience stores wouldn't exist.

 

[Zarah]

Last time I walked through the terminal I could have sworn I seen multiple places to purchase food and snacks with cash. Passengers can also purchase snacks for their carry on as well.

Planning trips to accommodate the cash only purchase plan for people who refuse to use cash/debit cards might involve not scheduling trips with bare minimum time between flights and taking into account weather delays and traffic so that cash can be used inside the terminal to purchase food and snacks. Planning ahead and tossing some healthy/filling snacks into their bag would not take up much room nor add much weight and will make any day go smoother.

I dunno, even when I take a road trip I always pack snacks and a little mini cooler with water/soda/fruit for quick easy snacking. I do this even though I could stop the car at any time and purchase something.

Part of the problem is the refusal of people to accept change and plan/pack accordingly.