Per Diem
 

How much can you guys actually expect to get from per diem?

Can't speak for everyone but for me normally $400-500/month tax free. It depends on your schedule and per diem rates of course.

$400-500/mo is a good estimate but it depends on what kinds of trips you fly and how often. Someone that flies day trips and 2-days is going to see significantly less per diem than someone who does 4-days. Personally, I wouldn't go putting it down on a mortgage application as income since it is meant to cover expenses on the road, which do pop up (van driver tips, food, transportation, hotel if you can't commute home, etc). I kind of look at it as a company-provided "rainy day fund".

And Christ guys! Tip your van drivers! A buck is NOT going to break the bank! If money is that tight for you, might be time to sell the boat, the sports car or the trophy wife. If I fly with one more captain who doesn't tip a van driver who is waiting at the curb, opens the door, hefts the bags AND offers you a coke when you get in the van then I am going to rip those 4 bars right off his or her damn shoulders! Ever wonder why van drivers seem less than thrilled to have to deal with airline crews? Its probably because most of the ones they deal with are miserable, whiny, demanding and cheap! A dollar and a "thank you" can go a long way to earning some goodwill at the bell desk.

Hey, I did tip most of the time prior to my wife losing her job last spring. Right now, I am having to watch every penny. I do feel terrible not tipping, but I also go out of my way to be extremely nice and actually put my own bag in the van and take it out. No, boat here. In fact, my wife and I traded two cars in for one that we now share.

I say the same for FO's. If you cant afford 1$ then you surely cant afford that I-Phone....

I give the Van driver a smile and a thank you. Unless they stand in the way and force me not to I always load my own bags in the back and offer to load the Capt's and the FA's bags too. He drove me from the airport to the hotel and back. It is not rocket science. Added to the fact he makes more than I do in a year. No one tips me for flying them halfways across the country and back. (Let me make it clear I don't want tips) The point of my rant is not everyone has the want or the means to tip them and when they stand there expecting it, it just makes them look bad.

I think I just found my next career! Does Sallie Mae offer loans for van driver training?

I can't believe some of you are actually defending your miserly practices. You should be ashamed of yourself. From my experiences you get what you pay for. These people are making minimum wage plus tips, and they now have your life in there hands. Tip for a job well done, and maybe the safe, on-time, and pleasant van drivers will continue to show up for work.

I average about $400-500 at Eagle working 4 day trips

Im with you on this one...I stopped tipping last year when I found out I was going to be furloughed. I am back now, and if I have a buck in my wallet I will give it to the van driver...but only if it is deserved. Show up 30 minutes late with an attitude problem and your outa luck. Or should I say outa buck:D