Gift bag ideas for aircrew on our first flight to Spain

[ToffeePennie]

Hi all,
I am definitely overthinking things but we go on our first flight to Spain in a few weeks. I have an autistic husband and older child (both with scoliosis) and an 8 year old with ADHD. Due to the severity of these conditions I put in a welfare form with Tui, and we are travelling from Manchester airport.
I thought it would be nice to give little gift bags to the aircrew (my brother used to be a flight attendant) to say thank you because I know they work super hard and having to deal with my family will be a lot. I was thinking maybe hand cream, foot cream or lip balms? Any other ideas welcome!

Focus on caring for your children
I don't mind noise and disruption from children and babies generally
I do mind hearing a baby cry and it clearly is uncomfortable due to a noticeably smelly nappy . Or a child being noisy while their parents zones out on their phone

I wonder what “having to deal with my family will be a lot” actually means? In all honestly, if I had older children who would have meltdowns and be difficult to manage on a flight, I just would not fly and find some alternative way to holiday. Sounds super stressful.

Glad you've dropped the idea of a gift bag OP. The likelihood is that the crew will be so busy during the flight that they will spend minimal time with your family. Not saying that to be harsh, but by the time the flight has taken off, the safety demonstration has been done, food and drink served, gift trolley gone through the cabin, rubbish collected, pre-landing checks done, the flight will be over.

No. Don't do this. I'm glad you are backing off from it now.

Just be cooperative and polite during the flight and thank them nicely for any help they give. They are literally doing their jobs.

There's no need to apologise for existing, or be embarrassed about it. You are in danger of falling into those camps.

Just concentrate on making things go as smoothly for your family and the passengers around them as possible, relax and have a great holiday.

This

Can you give an idea of your family "being a lot" means?

Perhaps use the costs that you planned into gifts for the crew, into something that might help make the flight easier for your DC. Can they be distracted by books/treats/games etc?

I don't understand the wanting to buy things for people you don't know. It is the crew's job to take care of passengers. They get paid for it. Anything gifted would come across as a bribe to me.

Let's not start this, it's bad enough the pressure that's been put on parents to give gifts for teachers and the whole palava which creates WhatsApp groups and giving more than some famillies can afford.

Never mind this, go and enjoy your holiday, I'm sure the staff will be grateful if you just have a nice smooth flight without you stressing about giving them gifts. You sound like you deserve the break :) 💐

You’ve already had good advice OP. Good idea to stop the bags. I was coming to say that if you’re super anxious then reducing your own nerves may help - and one of these is not worrying about creating and carrying/distributing bags on a plane.

the crew will be trained to support you. But if they go above and beyond then get their names and email HQ after the holiday.

you could always take some sweets or
chocs for the passengers around you?

do you have sunflower lanyards? These may make people more aware that you need extra support. Hopefully they’ll be understanding.

good ideas about books and checklists for the kids to check things off as they go so they feel in control.

re the medication. The poster didn’t mean about fixing I don’t think. Just that some meds for ADHD can be life changing and help people manage and feel more comfortable. I know you said your son can’t have it due to tummy issues - but this wasn’t in your OP. Lots of people take meds for adhd with good effect. It’s not a failure.

you may also wants meds to help with pain - such as headaches or earache on the plane, or some travel sickness tablets perhaps? Medication isn’t all bad and the fact you jumped to accuse suggests you may need to take a breath….i mean that kindly.

It's a bit 'beads for the locals', isn't it?

We don't. The OP may wish to, that does not translate to any ideas that disabled people need/ have to, give any gifts,when travelling by air. I most certainly would not.

I’m crew and we always appreciate it when people give us gifts. It’s a really lovely touch

Lip balms, face packs, sweets, Starbucks cards, I’ve had them all and love and appreciate every single one

They are trained to support you. I expect they are much more happy supporting a polite family with extra needs than an abusive shouting customer (of which there are many - my DH recently sat on a flight that had to stay on the runway for 2 hours whilst an irate customer shouted at the crew, before eventually being put off the flight). There is no need to give them anything. Just saying thanks is plenty.

Medicated? My kids don’t take any kind of medication. Autism and ADHD can’t be “fixed” with a pill….
Your son may be unable to tolerate medication but there is no need for this comment, medication supports many many autistic/adhd people.
Tbh you sound very hard work, the whole world doesn’t need made aware of you and yours , get your flight, job done.

I’ve just asked my flight crew friend what she thinks to this idea, and her response was “cringgggggggggggge”

Also don’t forget you can’t take liquid over 100ml!

Instead have gift bags for your kids of things to distract and occupy them during the flight.

Please don’t do this, these guys are just doing their job, they will not be managing your family they will be non stop for the flight doing their job.

I understand you’re excited and anxious, but all the staff will be incredibly busy, just focus on your family. You will be fine.

This is very misleading, they are not there to provide this sort of support, they don’t have time for it, they will step in if a passenger causes a disturbance, but they will not be providing support for the flight.

These scalpel blades and injections are also used in art restoration etc and anyone can buy them.

Thank them nicely and if they go to a lot of effort, write a note to the airline, praising them.

This is also why some posters have asked what sort of support OP’s family need. Cabin crew is rushed off their feet on 2 hour flights.

Sunflower lanyards might help UK side, but Spain doesn't always recognise them. Apply for any pre and post flight support via the airport. Remember there are new EU fingerprint requirements and loads of extra queues so book all the assistance you need in advance.

Hidden Disabilities Badge | Passengers | Aena https://share.google/80JYDHzBkhLs74LEG

Cringy thing to do! You are defo overthinking.

Americans are known to do it … sometimes.
Totally unnecessary.

Just say thank you.

Please don't. Just say thank you

Absolutely, so I’m also concerned what the op is thinking they will be doing. There are no staff loitering round, they are all busy from the moment the doors open to the moment the last passenger disembarks with a brief respite in between on short flights it’s boarding, checks, demonstration, service, sales, drinks, clear up, land, disembark.

they are not there or trained to provide support throughout the flight, each passenger needs to be capable of sitting in their seat for the duration, going to the loo, not posing a danger or disturbance to other passengers, if this happens the crew will spend a few mins trying to calm it down, they will not sit and provide emotional support, it’s no different to being on any other form of public transport in this regard.

so no one should be misleading the op here that there are staff on hand trained and available to support her, there is not.