Tipping
 

What is the standard for tipping while flying the line? Hotel maids? Van drivers? What about while staying at the hotel during training?

Not sure what the standard is, but if we're being dropped off as a crew, we each tip a buck to the van driver. If it's just me, I tip a couple of bucks. The maid, I will tip if I'm there for more than a day (e.g. TDY reserve trip).

Some cheap bastards don't tip at all, but that's just bad karma. Not to mention it just makes you a cheap bastard!

Yeah, talking to cab drivers & shuttle drivers they say "pilots are cheap" & "pilots never tip".

I hope you don't fall for that guilt trip.
When I was at the commuters most of the van drivers made about double what I made and they were working part time.

Well, they're most likely still driving the van, and you're now driving a 747. Besides, you are just completely out of touch if you think a hotel van driver is pulling down $50k/yr part time.

I used to fly corporate and was reimbursed for all of my tips. Then I came to the regionals and obviously don't get reimbursed. But rather than feel sorry for myself (wah! they make more than me!!), I tip a guy or girl that's probably busting their butt to make ends meet, usually with a 2nd or 3rd job. Ever talk to those drivers? For most of them, the driving isn't their full time gig.

More importantly, I like to distance myself from the pathetic cheap ass airline pilot stereotype. Throwing a dollar or two somebody's way isn't going to break me, and allows me to retain some self respect.

I was one of those van drivers. Pilots tipped a $1, FAs tipped $.50 each - for a total of $3.50 per crew. The whole van drivers make more than me line is just a way tomake themselves feel good that they don't tip. Van drivers are no different than waitresses or hairdressers. They work for tips too. I'm sure if that person who doesn't tip van drivers/bell hops went out to dinner with a group of *normal* people and stiffed the waiter for example they wouldn't be thinking nice thoughts, but if they are surrounded by like minded pilots in this case then they justify it. By the way - those amounts were over 20 years ago and they don't seem to have gone up much from other threads on this board.:(

USMCFLYR

I do agree that most people think we make more than we actually make. I still think a tip of some sort is in order for certain services. A van driver making $50k a year? Not sure about that one. At least not at your average hotel.

Depending on who you're flying the 747 for, the van driver may STILL be making more that you are! :D:eek::mad:

I seriously doubt a van driver makes more than any 74 driver off first year pay. Will a buck or two really kill you? At my freight dog outfit we got the tip money in the old contract, not the new one, but the pay and work rules improved greatly. Some jobs are more or less designed for tips to supplement the low pay scale. Flying an airplane is not one of them. Don't be a cheap bastard and give people a break if they deserve it.

A few points of order:

1) I was being facetious.
2) I tip the van drivers.
3) No one said anything about first year pay or not.
4) Even at that, a quick look at the pay scales here on APC reveals several 747 operators whose year 1-3 pay scales might indeed come in below a van drivers net - particularly when I'm guessing the van drivers probably don't report those tips on their taxes.
5) A van driver in Ottumwa, Iowa - maybe not so much. A van driver in a major metropolitan area near a major airport, maybe so.
6) Yes, I know the cost of living is higher in the major metro area - but that's also true for any crews that live in similar areas, so throw that out as a wash.
7) Note the smiley's.
8) Lighten up Francis.