average tips

[wndshr]

how much do you normally tip line service...for large size bizjets...GV Falcon 900EX etc.

heard of a guy going off on some pilots at TEB about not tipping enough or at all...
Thanks

 

[2000flyer]

how much do you normally tip line service...for large size bizjets...GV Falcon 900EX etc.

heard of a guy going off on some pilots at TEB about not tipping enough or at all...
Thanks

It all depends on what they do and also how many bags we have. If I have two pax with a suitcase each and the lineman help with the covers, $5 usually covers it. If I have a plane load, luggage up the yahoo, then I'll go up to $20. However, if I have five line guys helping out (typical at TEB during slow periods), if (and thats a BIG if) they split it, now you're down to $4 ea, however, $20 is as high as I'd go. The guys that do the lav service I'll give $10. But I make sure I give it to them directly. Not saying line folks don't share, but after doing line service for 6 years, I know some will pocket and claim no tip was given.

2000Flyer

PS - A lineman goes off on me for not getting a tip, he can figure two things: 1) His service was crappy in the first place and; 2) he'll never see a tip from me in the future.

 

[Learjetplt]

I have thought about this subject in the past.
I fly Lear Jet aircraft for a charter operator, if I gave the line guy a tip it would not be refundable by the company and I do not earn enough to tip every line guy, van driver, etc that I come in contact with on a daily flying day. I would go broke. Many passengers will tip the line guys.
Hey we as pilots dont get tips ( well rarely) we are just the limo drivers of the sky. I sometimes see the limo driver bringing passenger to the plane get tipped, the line guy get tipped, the girl behind the counter...well you get the point. but nothing for the guys who were up at 3 am to deice the plane fly through a nasty cold front and then shoot an approach to minimums to get the passenger to his meeting on time.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

5 for bags
10 for lav
20 for handler - a few more if they do something special.
10 - 20 for good driver (depends how far)

and if newer to Intl' - dont ASSUME these folks are real happy to get 2$ because "thats a lot of money here"...you are wrong and you look like an ametuer.

if exceptionally poor - no tip sorry and we dont use the service or handler again.

if I pull my own chocks, show my pax the way, etc...dont bother coming over looking for a tip...

My favorite type??? the pilot who stiffs everyone then submits 40$ in tips to make a few extra bucks. You are a scumbag.

 

[CorpAv8r]

My favorite type??? the pilot who stiffs everyone then submits 40$ in tips to make a few extra bucks. You are a scumbag.

Amen!! I worked for a company where that was standard practice. And that was from senior captains who were making 5 times what the line guys were making. It was no wonder our home base line guys wouldn't do anything for our flight department. They were shocked when I started giving them tips. They would do anything for me.

I follow the same guidelines as Gulf 200 laid out with the exception of $5-10 for the driver (again, depending on how far).

Regarding line guys complaining about not getting tips, again I agree with Gulf 200, they won't ever receive a tip from me. Tips are not mandatory or to be expected. They are an expression of thankfulness for a good job.

As a line guy, I always treated every customer the same. This business is all about contacts and several of my jobs were a result of the way I treated the pilots when I was a line guy. Unfortunately, many people forget where they came from.

Remember, the toes you step on during your climb to the top are often connected to the butt you're kissing on the way back down!

 

[G100driver]

I fly Lear Jet aircraft for a charter operator, if I gave the line guy a tip it would not be refundable by the company and I do not earn enough to tip every line guy, van driver, etc that I come in contact with on a daily flying day. I would go broke.

What is the deal with cheap SOB's who run charter services!!! Doesn't your D/O see the value in wanting his airplanes to be recognized on the ramp? That is, be recognized in a good way. I always encourage everyone to tip for good service, especially at a city you fequent. It certainly makes a difference.

I should know, I used to work line service. Nothing gave me more satisfaction than to send a cheap SOB to back forty and watch him walk in the rain!!!

Good luck ... that G-IV job will come soon.

 

[pa56pa]

tips?

heard of a guy going off on some pilots at TEB about not tipping enough or at all...

I wonder if that's Atlantic Aviation... lol... **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** union rampers, takes forever to get a plane staged... and they expect tips?? LOL

What is the deal with cheap SOB's who run charter services!!! Doesn't your D/O see the value in wanting his airplanes to be recognized on the ramp?

NO... don't you know?? There aren't that many reputable, responsible, generous, ideal and beloved charter companies out there. They all start out fairly generous, with the attempt to create a work environment that can be envied by other charter companies.. but once they experience growth, they've forgotten the basics of running one.. Instead, they run their pilots and their workers down to the nickel... If anyone can name an excellent charter company to work for, let me know.. Besides, the $$ isn't in chartering, it's in brokering and aircraft management..

 

[Cpt Splash]

Just remember what TIPS stands for (To Insure Proper Service). I used to be that line guy and I know what it is like to work your ass off and get stiffed, but I also knew that a tip was not mandatory. . So Now when I fly the line, I make sure that i take care of everbody that earned it. I fortunately work for a company that gives the crew petty cash for tips and such. I hate the line guys that don't give a sh*t but expect you to fork over something for them.

 

[2000flyer]

Speaking of tips, my favorite was a little FBO in the Bahamas. Lineman flagged us to parking....right in front of the main building. I opened the door and there were six people waiting to help out. I only had two passengers with minimal luggage, so there wasn't much extra, but everyone managed to get their hands on something.

Next thing I know, our handler shows up and tells us we can't park there and there was no tug to move us...we'd have to restart to reposition. I told him he needs to inform the lineman of this to which he replied: "that guy isn't a lineman, nor do all those people who helped with luggage work for the airport. They're just locals hanging around trying to get tips!"

Lesson learned.

2000Flyer

 

[JB74]

I am not familiar with fbo line service etiquette so forgive me if this is out of line, but aren't line guys paid accordingly? I can see if they were paid like a server in a restaurant @ $2/hr, but not $10/hr.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

lazy a$$ obnoxious locals?????

In the bahamas????

theres a shocker!

 

[2000flyer]

lazy a$$ obnoxious locals?????

In the bahamas????

theres a shocker!

Hard to believe, isn't it!

 

[2000flyer]

I am not familiar with fbo line service etiquette so forgive me if this is out of line, but aren't line guys paid accordingly? I can see if they were paid like a server in a restaurant @ $2/hr, but not $10/hr.

No, most companies that I'm aware of don't pay $2/hr. Minimum wage, probably, for newbies....maybe a tad more. However, it would be my guess (and just a guess) that the large chain FBO's (ie. Million Air, Signature, etc.) pay a decent hourly wage. I do believe Signature's employees are union (forgive me if I'm misinformed there). Some FBOs are run by their respective city and the employees fall under the city's employee contract and probably do better than most. They would more than likely fall under union rule if the city employees have one.

Regardless, excellent service deserves a tip.

Speaking of tips, also don't forget the CSRs when they do a good job (and not just because their good looking and you're on an RON fella's!). If I have a last minute schedule change and they make hotel/transportation arrangements for me, I'll give them a tip as well.

2000Flyer

 

[fokkerjet]

From what I understand, Signature is mostly non-union labor. Just recently, Signature closed DTW, and I believe ALB and one other location, and reopened them as ASIG. I know DTW was union, I don't know about the other two, but ASIG is non-union, purchased by BBA several years ago. It appears that Signature may have found a way to bust the union and not lose the FBO.........just rename it. I'm sure the service still sucks, it's just lower paid labor.

 

[smellthejeta]

I am not familiar with fbo line service etiquette so forgive me if this is out of line, but aren't line guys paid accordingly? I can see if they were paid like a server in a restaurant @ $2/hr, but not $10/hr.

You have to think about what's important in life. If you rarely use a company or service, it's not like you're concerned about your image. I've stiffed cabbies when they haven't done anything to earn a little extra. (Come on, like getting a $90 fare ain't enough?)

However, if you frequent an FBO, you better learn to tip a little. Why? I've seen some infrequent transients who tip really well and regulars who don't. If the line guy *knows* you won't tip, what's his incentive to take care of you first?

What's important to you or to your boss/pax? To me, catering and fuel come with the deal and I won't tip (or expect one) for the mere service. When you're on a quick turn and want to be taken care of ASAP, aren't you happy when the GPU and fuel truck are waiting plane side, and your service items are delievered before the fueling is completed? How about the line guy who does things to save *you* time? Like make you wait less than five minutes for a shuttle ride, don't make you wait for a fuel truck when you want to fuel and go to the hotel, or one who makes sure the engine covers are on/off and the pins in/out before you arrive/depart the a/c, especially in below freezing weather?

Despite the fact that line guys are paid a wage that does not figure in tips, service that makes me want to come back is also probably worth tipping for. To me, that's the bottom line -- when somebody does something that stands out, let him know you appreciate it.

 

[JB74]

Makes sense now. Thanks for clearing it up.

 

[Bumz_Rush]

JB74 and big Ti$s

JB74: I just love your thumbnail......

Being a Brit, tipping is a horror story. I have read these posts and now realise that I am a mean son of a bitch......

In Africa several years ago, pulled up for fuel, and paid with the carnet.....6 refuellers demanded a tip....I said" we are not Americans", they said sorry, and "settled" for 10$......

I am certain when you guys visit us you must have even more horror stories....pray tell all....

 

[CatYaaak]

how much do you normally tip line service...for large size bizjets...GV Falcon 900EX etc.
B]

It varies, except for a guy in Egypt who "services" our lav crouched under the fuselage holding a plastic garbage bag to recieve the contents. He gets the equivalent of a half-month's salary every time I gotta ask him to do it!

 

[Dutch]

Not sure what todays wages are but 10 years ago, Million Air was $6/hr in a major metro area.

The only time I was pissed about no tip was when I went above and beyond. If line service uses the company van to transport you (rather than a cab) you should at least tip half what the cab would cost.