I agree this is a nice tradition. I must say, though, that in my first year here, I can count on one hand the number of Captains who offerred to buy dinner.

I do think that if the Captain suggests that the crew go out to an expensive restaurant, knowing the FO and/or SO are on new hire pay, he should make the offer to cover the dinner. There's a sort of expectation, and desire, to spend time off as a crew. I think some Captains forget that not all new hires are drawing a military retirement.

As far as tips are concerned, I'm embarrassed when I witness a Captain give a measely one or two dollar tip to the cab driver on behalf of the crew, sometimes three of us. In some countries, that tip consititutes the better part of his pay. I prefer to tip myself.

 

Worst I ever saw was by a former DO, Speed M. Doing a charter from CHS to MXP, we had a DH to CHS. We catch the hotel shuttle along with a Delta Connection crew - 2 pimply faced teenage pilots and a barely legal FA. They EACH tipped the driver $2 as I reach for my wallet. Speed stops me and says I got it as he hands the guy $1. I was thoroughly embarrassed and ashamed to be associated with him in any way! I gave the guy a $5 as Speed went to check in!

 

What is the normal tip for the driver, stateside, nowadays? Ten years ago it was $1/crewmember.

 

When it's my turn, I do a buck a bag minimum, so between the two of us we've got 5 or 6 bags total. Bob in Chicago (much like Manfred in EDDF) is a special case, he gets more. It goes without saying, a first year guy doesn't pick up a thing around me. I've had some, like Normy object but I ask them to please accept our tradition and to "pay it forward" when it's their turn.
fbh

 

I enjoy the frosty adult beverage on the way to the hotel tradition!
You should change your name to frostybeveragehauler

 

I too was a little uncomforatable (at first) as a Nugget as the outstanding ANC Capt's took such great care of us. I was happy to be here and eager to step up to the plate. I was told ...it wasn't my turn, but it will be soon. So, humbly and graciously, I accepted the warm welcome the Capt's displayed to all of us. Thanks!


Good quotes to remember...

[quote=Albief15;237719]It ain't a gift--its a loan to pass on.

Cheers, Cujo

 

Spent 36 hours in *** recently. Flew with a Captain whom I thought embodied how all WB Captains should behave. Went to dinner, at a sweet steak house. Bill came to just under 200 large for just the Captain and I. He admonished me to "put that crap away" when I reached for my wallet when the check arrived. He really had to force himself to stand down when I bought Starbucks on the way back to the hotel. Incredible class act.
THEN....2 nights later, catch the hotel van to the airport in ***. The Captain says, "I got it" and proceeds to tip the driver a whole dollar...for the two of us. AND it was all balled up like it was crack money. Talk about humiliating. After the Capt walked off toward the ramp, I slid a 5 spot to the driver hoping he would think that's what the Capt and I planned all along. As an FO with at least a shred of dignity, I'd rather a Capt have me pay every time before he coughs up anything less than 3 bucks for the 2 of us. 1 buck for 2 guys??

 

Wow, life must be pretty good if your complaining about that

 

Recently flew with one of our senior Capt's who has a very successful "bidness" on the side. He never offered to buy anything; the first beer, a glass of wine, dinner, etc... and stuck me with the driver's tip when it was his turn on a couple of occasions.

It's no big deal to me, I'm just pointing out the differences. When I get to be my favorite person to fly with, I'll be buying the first round and a dinner on a week long pairing.

 

Summer of 2002, me starting IOE on the panel, and I'm an all-civilian guy.

My LCA was a career Marine, a single-seat guy and a former enlisted sniper. I think - man I'm going to clash with this guy all week. I wasn't looking forward to the first leg.

But this guy was incredibly cool - great teaching style, laid back and generous with all the little indian-tricks that seperate the good FE's from the fair ones. And that ENTIRE week I couldn't buy a meal or a drink. He personally paid - not the front enders. He said he considered it part of his LCA duties. He's still a friend of mine today.....