Its even classier if you fold the dollar into a paper airplane and throw it at the driver, you know, to remind him we are pilots.

 

I pretended to laugh after reading this, but soon realized I wasn’t in the flight deck working next to a crew member telling a terrible joke.

 

Dude works for OO, so you'll have to ask him.

 

Me? No I did not travel before I learned to fly. I suspect that’s true of many people. My point is: making a blanket statement that people getting into commercial aviation should just “know” they are going to be tipping is a little silly. Some things you just learn when you first get out there.

Its interesting that you say that it’s not strictly mandatory, yet act like it is. I’m not sure where we as an industry think it’s ok to dictate how others spend their money. If they want to tip, great! If not, who cares?

No personally I do tip. 2 main reasons. First, many of the drivers I come into contact are good people I get along with, work hard, and I’m happy to do it. Second reason is strategic. I want to leave a good impression so future scheduled trips go off smoothly. However if someone doesn’t tip, I really don’t care. That’s their business, not mine.

 

Just cause you say it multiple times doesn't make it true.
The only people at Skywest who are making less than 30K per year are either trainees who were sent home and are getting paid a pittance for not working, waived min credit to work other jobs, or took VTO or CPTO
2020 first year pay was $45.90 per hour
reserve guarantee for most of the year was only 67 hours
12 monthsX67 hours per month X45.90 per hour= $36,903.60. and that doesn't include at least one PPS paycheck and a few bucks per diem to get three landings every three months.

BUT, BUT, BUT you're going to say, "I said Taking home 30k". Take home is a non comparator because of the variations of withholding for taxes, 401, insurance, HSA, FSA, stock purchase, etc. I know of first officers who gross over $80k, yet take home less than $30k because of maxing out their 401 to $19k per year, fully funding their HSA, withholding extra taxes because of a side gig or spouse that works a good paying job.

When you're a poor college student driving a hotel shuttle nights to pay tuition, or a single mother working the morning shift before her full time job to make ends meet, every dollar matters.

 

You mean from the first post of January of last year?

 

I’m aware and was calling him/her out for blowing smoke. “I don’t make enough” seems to be the normal excuse for most regional FO’s, which changes to “they’re already compensated a tip in their paycheck” when they become regional 6 figure Captains. I suppose when they hit mainline they’ll find another sorry excuse.

 

Of course it's not strictly mandatory, but most of us find it distasteful to not do it (assuming good service). People come on here hoping to find validation for their poor behavior, and then get PO'ed when they don't find it.

And I care to the extent that other crew's behavior can reflect on me, and impact the service I get.

 

Which is fine, I still do t see how if someone tips or not should be anyone business unless someone wants to share their finances with strangers outside of the work environment. I am folks who make a choice to not or tip have their personal reasons.

Let it be....

 

Mr. Pink ain't coughing up no buck.