Statistically it would probably be about the same. Doctors on internship don't get paid (or get very little). Yo Yo Ma had to struggle. And on and on and on.

No. My post was meant to concur with Pontius Pilot's post. Look at the jobs that people are tipped for. What is their base salary? About what a first year FO makes. But will they ever see a salary much above that? Nope. Tips are factored in as part of their compensation. If you think we should be tipped as pilots then expect payscales to only increase by $0.25 per year.

Yep.

You want better pay, negotiate better pay scales. They can afford to buy the airplanes, they can afford to pay executives millions, they can afford to sell tickets for less than they cost to operate they can pay us better.

The thread title is "Why don't we get tips?" Has any one of you ever come out of the cockpit, stand by the doorway and ask departing passengers for a tip? Or make an announcement that the FA will be collecting $$ after she finishes collecting the service items? If you don't ask, how will you get what you want? I'd be willing to chip in $5 everytime I fly. And I'd give more if you are as cute as Moose. ;)

As a side note, lawyers do not get tipped and we do not expect to be tipped. I'm sure some of my brethren have asked, but I don't have personal knowledge of it. I don't even accept flowers or chocolates or even homebaked cookies. Many clients have tried to give those things to me, but I have to decline.

I hope that you all researched what you make as a pilot before you chose this career. It's the price we all pay for having fun.

If you are not having fun or can't handle the pay then leave this industry and let me have your job.:D

And as long as people have this attitude we'll be wondering why we don't put a coffee cup on the door with "tips" written on it.

I guess you miss interpreted my post.

I agree we should get paid better... but remember we chose this career.

Wow.. Tera got herself alotta comments. 747 too... Sad that a mainline pilot would say such a thing.

A barber cutting my hair is his JOB..but most people tip them?

A waiter/waitress/bartender serves me..that's their job but we tip.

F/A's get tips occasionally..why never the pilots?

I flew on skybus once and thier FA's asked for tips on the PA.