Hey everyone, I just noticed that tipping has slowed down a bit and was curious whether it's from the overdose of the tipping culture aftermath of covid or other factors. One colleague pointed out that some brokers have made it easier for clients to add their tip into the bill, a small addendum is added to the contract where the client chooses to tip the crew. I have actually seen this, what I haven't seen is the tip. Is there anyone else experiencing this? Several pilots I have spoken with in South Florida have said they were both aware of the contract tips and did not receive the tips and things got ugly because they made a copy of the contract that was laying on a desk. Trying to figure out a way to prevent this from becoming a more common occurence. I do understand that honest and reputable brokers are just that, but I guess there is no way to find out if a tip has been agreed to beforehand on the contract. I'm hoping one of the more experienced guru's would be able to shed some light. I'd like to keep this positive and not looking for click bait please. To give you an idea, my aircraft use to get tipped roughly 6 out of 10 flights, thats a rough estimate, and 100 usd for each pilot and 100 for the cabin attendant. Plane was a Falcon 2000LX and G550.

 

In my many years of 135, from Hawkers up to Gulfstreams, I have never received the "tip" for the the crew that was included in the broker's pricing model.

I've seen customers ****ed a brokers, because the customer found out that the crew never received the tip that was supposedly paid.
Why? Because the brokers have always merely pocketed the tip for themselves.

Even "reputable" brokers have a reputation for only taking care of themselves, once the sale is complete.

Brokers are scum. Cash is King.

 

In the 10 years I did charter, there was 1 time when I was given a check for 200 from the company due to "pilot tips" from the broker. But like its been said, the brokers yank the tips if any is actually given.

Brokers are scum most of the time.

 

"Employers, Including Managers and Supervisors, May Not “Keep” Tips: Regardless of whether an employer takes a tip credit, the FLSA prohibits employers from keeping any portion of employees’ tips for any purpose, whether directly or through a tip pool. "



SOURCE: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fac...employees-flsa

 

Unless the crew had an opportunity to view the contract, beforehand, for any given trip, they'd never know if the broker "gave" themselves a little extra for their self-important work.

Typically, I've never found out about these "included" tips until months later......."Did you guys get the tip from last time?"

It wouldn't be the first time, nor will it be the last, that a broker has done something shady and/or illegal.
"Yes, they deserve to die, and I hope they burn in hell."

If a broker ends up giving you a pre-arranged tip, it only means that they got caught F-ing over the pilots.

Brokers are scum.

 

Absolute truth!

In my 16 years of 91K and Part 135 Charter, I have NEVER once received a tip from a broker.. One time, a lady came up to the cockpit and asked me if I was forgetting something.. When I asked her what she meant, she said that she was hoping for a "Thank you" for the tip that she "gave" us through the broker. I can't describe how mad she was when I told her tha no one I know EVER received a tip from a broker, and that while we never expected tips, that we always appreciated them. I never heard a word from the Company about it, but I would love to see brokers prosecuted or canceled for these dastardly deeds. A "Like" button for Dubh and Sonic..

 

This would be discoverable in a lawsuit. Just sayin

 

Absolutely.
The legal fees would vastly outweigh the $100 that I'd be chasing.

It's like getting stiffed on a large bar tab, back in my bartending days. I'm not gonna chase you across the parking lot for some measly $5-10 tip.
I'll remember your face, and you'll be ignored, until you leave. Go stiff someone else.
I've probably slept with your wife or girlfiend already anyway...
I'm the reason you ****ed razor blades for a week. Sorry, not sorry.

It's easier to warn the folks that are new to this, and what to watch out for.
They too, will eventually realize that brokers.are.scum.

 

Brokers are a special breed no doubt. However other plain 135s that sell their own trips are just as guilty as brokers for charging a tip and not giving it to the crew. I can't think of any operator that actually charges a tip and gives it to the crew to be honest.

 

Not if you do it for a living and have years of flights you could go after. Not to mention that, it could potentially turn into a class action thing. If someone were brave enough to pursue it.