Expecting ANYBODY to pay for something for you is lame. There’s plenty of generosity out there, and you should just be grateful when it happens. To expect it is ridiculous.

Also....tip your driver. It’s embarrassing that there’s even a thread on this.

when I was a captain at the Regionals, I paid for all my FO's beers when we went out. Bought them coffees as well. I guess I'm just way more generous than you.

when was this? More than a few years ago?

Seriously? Buy your own coffee.

you must be one of those cheap captains. You seriously are standing in line at Starbucks with the FO and make him pay his $2.50 for his own coffee?? The vast majority of guys buy FOs coffee.

Most do buy. The issue is the expectation, it’s a nice thing but shouldn’t be expected. Definitely shouldn’t be b$@“ed about. Unless, it’s a probationary FO and then ole cap better buy the beer.

As an FO that was a latecomer to the airlines in his 40s with a prior career that was lucrative enough to be fine as is, given I got accelerated pay rates as an FO and huge signing bonuses, I felt sheepish accepting charity from 30 year old captains I knew were worse off financially than me. Even more annoying when I’d be enjoying drinks with the captain who drank Miller Lite while I was drinking some expensive craft beer only to have him go over the top insisting on buying the beers for the night at the end of the night.

I get why those guys felt the need too. They came up in a different environment. But PLEASE, let me buy my own expensive drinks.

It's nice, most folks do it, but it should never be expected. Nor would I call anyone out for not doing it. Tipping is part of the compensation plan for waiters and van drivers, but free beer and coffee isn't strictly necessary for FO's.

I was in the same boat, just roll with it to avoid awkwardness. Pay it forward when the time comes. If I flew with bros who I had known for a while and knew my situation, I'd just pick up the tab the next time.

Probationary 727 S/Os used to make so little that even senior F/As would chip in to buy them food and beverages.