Stealing

[N965VJ]

I've been kicking around this idea for kicks and grins.... it's called 'a day on the internet without unnecessary outrage.'

That would be like A Day Without Sunshine!

 

[Breath_of_Fresh_USAirways]

... I was feeling awkward about what I had witnessed and decided that an extremely vague posting here would remind folks not to put a passenger in this awkward position.

Of course, sitting here this morning, I wonder if it's the best decision to make but it's done.

You're feeling awkward -- why? Because you ASSUMED something you're not really sure of but it might have been stealing but it might not have been and it's none of your business no matter what it was, yet you have the nerve to post this dribble on a public forum?

No, it was not a good decision. Maybe, like you, the F/A had second thoughts about his/her actions and put the liquor back when you weren't looking? You have NO IDEA what the entire explanation is for his/her actions and this person could be completely innocent.

What a judgemental louse. And to think you're anonymous -- now that's the funny part! LOL!!!!!

 

[azjetdude]

Maybe she paid for it and you did not know? If you are just a passenger, do you really know the full procedure regarding accounting for the liquor sales? I am not sure as a passenger you should report her for something you are not 100% sure of.

Umm, you're kidding, right? We all KNOW that she did not pay for this!

 

[700UW]

Were you in the galley?

You don't know anything.

 

[Dont call me Shirley]

heretofore forever publicly known now as Heinrich the corporate stool pigeon..

Dell, name calling is beneath your usual high standards.

As for the topic at hand, I don't think Heinrich is out of line with his post, posting what he saw (or thought he saw) is a reminder that all staff are always "on stage" as they Disney folks call it. All Howard Borden/Galley Jokes aside, it's stupid to risk a job over something as petty as liquor minis that you can buy for a buck at a discount liquor store.

Having said that, I think that few of us can honestly claim never to have stolen from an employer if items such as stationery supplies as toll phone calls are included.

 

[Travels2mch]

It's apparent from the responses here that this is a pretty common practice. After reading this, I don't feel guilty for the occasional pen I borrowed from the office. Although the bottle of vodka is much better than a pen!

 

[azjetdude]

Were you in the galley?

You don't know anything.

Umm, ok, if that makes you feel better.

 

[PHL]

Would you feel differently if this FA gave you really poor service? Would you have complained about the service and then put a "by the way...." note about the theft?

Look - if the situation happened like you say it did (FA puts 3 bottles in personal bag before counting), then it's highly, highly likely it was theft. I'm no inventory managment genius, but there's little else it could be.

And, this isn't like sitting around after working a bar shift and having one because that is openly condoned by the management (usually). So are free flights. But a protocol is followed. This is not the case when an employee pockets some liquor.

I'm not saying to report him/her, but this incident is probably an indication of perhaps a larger problem. Magnified by thousands of F/As who may or may not do the same thing, how would management look upon this "one" incident? You can be sure they know it happens, and probably have some mechanisms in place to monitor irregular useage. Taking 3 bottles probably doesn't raise any flags.

There was a ring a few years ago at IAH or EWR(I forget which one) that was busted up where ground and catering workers were literally stealing CASES of these minibottles. I guess that's easier to detect than 3 minis.....

 

[OldGuyinPA]

The cleaners of the RON's love their liquor. Makes the job go a bit easier...

 

[PITbull]

As for the topic at hand, I don't think Heinrich is out of line with his post, posting what he saw (or thought he saw) is a reminder that all staff are always "on stage" as they Disney folks call it. All Howard Borden/Galley Jokes aside, it's stupid to risk a job over something as petty as liquor minis that you can buy for a buck at a discount liquor store.

Having said that, I think that few of us can honestly claim never to have stolen from an employer if items such as stationery supplies as toll phone calls are included.

I can agree with that. Nothing is worth having been terminated over theft. Personally, I did not see any theft as a f/a other than bottle water (which I didn't consider was theft), like I have seen after the concessions. Folks just need to whine down after a 14 hour day, and they don't have enough funds on their trips to cover going to the bar and spending $6.50 plus tip for a vodka and soda. There just is not enough disposal income to provide yourself with the simplest of items, food, tips and to relax on a 4-day trip layover; 16-20 days a month on the road. I remember a f/a in CLT who called me. She just got on a plane and went home. She was having a serious break-down, broke, and just couldn't hold on any more as a reserve. She was losing her town-house, and was not getting her hours in last year 2005. 71 hour gurantee per month and having to only fly about 3 trips, paying for lay over expenses. On her off days, she would travel 55 miles round trip to clean a gas station for $80 to only pay 1 night stay for her commuter pad in CLT(she lived in BNA), only to sit for days and days.


I know of f/a who couldn't afford to get a cheeseburger across the street from the hotel on a layover. They waited to eat junk on the plane. Many of you can't even fathom that...but that is the case. Folks can't afford one unique/unusual event in their life to pay for out of pocket expenses on just routine health care and medications on their wages.. e.g. car breaking down, car major maintenance, kids school clothes, co-pays even for dental work. Just can't be done.

I remember receiving calls from MAA f/as who slept in crew rooms because they didn't have the money for overnight stays waiting for a trip.

Bruce Ashby got invovled and agreed with me. Started to make some changes at the table for MAA.

Today, to see someone take a soda off the plane or chips is not what I consider theft...more like survival. One would have to weigh if its worth losing a job over such simple items. I know that the co. considers a snack box taken off the plane to eat later as theft...even though they throw the left overs away. Company doesn't care how much soda and water you consume on the airplane, they will consider even a carton of milk as theft once taken off the plane.

 

[Heinrich]

Would you feel differently if this FA gave you really poor service? Would you have complained about the service and then put a "by the way...." note about the theft?

Look - if the situation happened like you say it did (FA puts 3 bottles in personal bag before counting), then it's highly, highly likely it was theft. I'm no inventory managment genius, but there's little else it could be.

And, this isn't like sitting around after working a bar shift and having one because that is openly condoned by the management (usually). So are free flights. But a protocol is followed. This is not the case when an employee pockets some liquor.

I'm not saying to report him/her, but this incident is probably an indication of perhaps a larger problem. Magnified by thousands of F/As who may or may not do the same thing, how would management look upon this "one" incident? You can be sure they know it happens, and probably have some mechanisms in place to monitor irregular useage. Taking 3 bottles probably doesn't raise any flags.

There was a ring a few years ago at IAH or EWR(I forget which one) that was busted up where ground and catering workers were literally stealing CASES of these minibottles. I guess that's easier to detect than 3 minis.....

That's a good question. I think that I'd be even more annoyed, however, I doubt I would have formally complained. It's hard to really PROVE theft beyond a shadow of a doubt without a video camera. In fact, in my first message I did not actually spell out that the person I observed committed theft. It was more a moment of 'torment' to see a good person give good service possibly put himself at risk for a silly reason.

There have been some good comments today, and all I hope this thread has done is help someone think twice before he/she does something that may seem easy or simple but wind up being a mistake.

 

[pitguy]

Then there is theft of time. Who has not chatted for a few moments at work or did some EBay surfing? I would have a hard time ruining someone’s life over a minor issue. Especially something that was not crystal clear as to what was going on. If the employee was stealing anything from a customer I would have a huge problem with that.


~I am going to go have a mini of something good now.


(10 minutes later. Baileys with coffee. Thank "U".)

 

[PITbull]

Heinrich,

Management comes on these boards and observes the exchanges. They may PM you. Please, don't give them details. I think that coming on this board and discussing it will enlighten many.

Management looks to terminate. They spend their budgets on golf outtings, company gatherings, parties, and drink up a storm on co. funds. Hell, they even cash in their stock and the company gets stuck paying the income tax on their BIG payday.

If they contact you...my recommendation is to tell them to give the folks a raise.

 

[ONT_CP]

Wow, I would never report this, but I am pretty amazed at the situational ethics on here. I guess taking drinks out of the alcohol on the plane is ok... but if I was earning low wages from a mom & pop shop (or store) would that be ok? I mean, since many people do something wrong, does that make it right?

I know I have made quite a number of mistakes in my life, so I am no saint, but even though I may have done something wrong, I can not justify it as right, just because alot of other people are doing it.

I think the analogy of Disney is a good one, you are representing your company at all times in uniform. It is the way it is. I know when I have my company's logo on my shirt, or hanging from my badge, I am pretty aware that anything I do reflects on them.

Sorry for the tangent.. just amazed how everyone beat up on one customer who was surprised to see what he saw.

 

[Bear96]

So, today, to see someone take a soda off the plane or chips is not what I consider theft...more like survival.

. . . and we all need our three minis a day of hard liquor provided by our employers for "survival" . . .