Tipping the Flight Crews, YES or NO?

[BigPappa]

If we can't get the money out of the company, why not try the general public? Tipping seems to be part of life almost everywhere but the airline industry. Why not adapt this thinking in to our industry? It would be a great motivator for employees. In terms the company would benefit too from motivated employees who like to earn a little extra.

Just a thought to inspire conversation.

 

[StarChecker]

Why the hell would they tip us? They all think we make $200,000 a year...


Never gonna happen...

 

[skiandsurf]

Why the hell would they tip us? They all think we make $200,000 a year...


Never gonna happen...

Kind of like a cruise ship, where you tip the people on a per day basis. Here at the airlines, the airline management can run the airline without "paying" the flight crew. The passengers will pay (tip) the crewmembers accordingly.....Captains will get $3/hr for each pax. The FO gets $2/hr. FAs $1/hr. The company only has to make up the difference for the empty seats. Now the company can not scream that the crews are costing too much. All they do is fill the seats so it doesnt cost them anything.

$3/hr x 50 seats = $150/hr for captain.
$3/hr x 300 seats = $900/hr. (x 5 hr flight =$4500 for one flight)

 

[BigPappa]

Why the hell would they tip us? They all think we make $200,000 a year...


Never gonna happen...

Let me put this in term of some numbers and maybe that might change your thoughts. Lets say 48 legs in a month with an average of 30 pax per flight of which you might collect from 10 pax a $2 tip, that is $20.00.

10 x $2 = $20

$20 x 48 (legs) = $960.00/month on top of your pay.

Would that maybe be a motivator?

 

[sayagain?]

Let me put this in term of some numbers and maybe that might change your thoughts. Lets say 48 legs in a month with an average of 30 pax per flight of which you might collect from 10 pax a $2 tip, that is $20.00.

10 x $2 = $20

$20 x 48 (legs) = $960.00/month on top of your pay.

Would that maybe be a motivator?

Sounds resonable. You are going to report the entire amount on your taxes, aren't you?

 

[GravityHater]

If you succeed, mgmt will figure a way to reduce your wages to waitress pay of 3$/hr! ("they're getting fat off tips, we don't need to pay them any more!")

 

[flylowman]

I like the idea, but we (pilots) provide a professional service. It is not up to us to beg for tips. The company should add $6.00 per/pax to the ticket, and then do the split 3, 2, and 1. I have always thought on my last flight at a regional I would make each pax pay me $10.00 if they wanted to get where they were going.

 

[flylowman]

??????????

Do you all know what TIP stands for?

 

[Smash312]

Blue collar thinkers. Enough said.

 

[Long Time Gone]

You're in a professional industry, act like it. Do you tip your doctor? Dentist? Lawyer? Plumber? Carpenter? No.

Yes, we are in the Customer Service industry. However, our service is to get the customer from point A to point B as safely as possible and as efficiently as possible within a given time frame. Most of all as safely as possible. It's irrelevent what the public believes we earn per year, quarter, month or day. Our job is to serve them in a safe manner. That's what they pay for. To expect a tip is a disgrace to your fellow pilots and crew members. Please find something else to do in life.

 

[cheyflyer]

You are a Rich Airline Pilot, Why do you need TIPS??

 

[YourPilotFriend]

You're in a professional industry, act like it. Do you tip your doctor? Dentist? Lawyer? Plumber? Carpenter? No.

Yes, we are in the Customer Service industry. However, our service is to get the customer from point A to point B as safely as possible and as efficiently as possible within a given time frame. Most of all as safely as possible. It's irrelevent what the public believes we earn per year, quarter, month or day. Our job is to serve them in a safe manner. That's what they pay for. To expect a tip is a disgrace to your fellow pilots and crew members. Please find something else to do in life.

I agree asking for a tip at the end is not professional. However, passing on a seperate service charge to each ticket is a viable option. The carriers in foriegn countries tack on a fuel service charge, why can't we tack on a crew charge. The passengers have enjoyed cheap air travel way too long.

 

[jeroom]

I say YES to that....
I always got tipped when I was flying corporate...why not in the airlines?
We should get a tip jar permanently attached at the door , Part 121 approved by the faa (that's another story!).

It would say: "Tips not mandatory, but greatly appreciated!"

Or having the FA going through the aisle with the jar after the flight and before the seat belt sign off...

That would be good for beers...

 

[Captain Overs]

Why the hell would they tip us? They all think we make $200,000 a year...


Never gonna happen...

It's about as dumb as tipping the person who rings up your fast food order. I'm tired of seeing those tip jars next to the cash register.

 

[jeroom]

You're in a professional industry, act like it. Do you tip your doctor? Dentist? Lawyer? Plumber? Carpenter? No.

Yes, we are in the Customer Service industry. However, our service is to get the customer from point A to point B as safely as possible and as efficiently as possible within a given time frame. Most of all as safely as possible. It's irrelevent what the public believes we earn per year, quarter, month or day. Our job is to serve them in a safe manner. That's what they pay for. To expect a tip is a disgrace to your fellow pilots and crew members. Please find something else to do in life.

When you go to a restaurant, you expect a service as well, but still tip the waiter or waitress...even if it's 90% of his salary, it's not mandatory.

 

[skiandsurf]

My way, of working for tips only, frees the company of crying, " we cant afford to pay the crews". Under my way, as long as the company fills the seats, the company wont pay a penny to the crews. The airline only has to pay for the empty seats.

And yes, have this "tip" included in the purchase price of the ticket. The company can discount their ticket accordingly to, as "they" are not paying for the crews.

The airlines can never blame the high cost of crews as there down fall. Instead it is now on their own management.

 

[COOPERVANE]

nice Avatar jeroom!!

 

[Jay79]

I love the comment about we are in a professional industry. "You don't ask your doctor, lawyer, etc. for tips do you?"

I gurantee our doctors and lawyers aren't scraping by on cup of noodles and free food at hotels to save money so that they can have a normal "professional lifestyle."

I agree tiping would not look professional but, if the carriers would add 6 dollars to every ticket, maybe we would earn more money than idiots who work as gardners, waiters, fast food workers, and maids.

 

[FedExFlyer]

If we can't get the money out of the company, why not try the general public? Tipping seems to be part of life almost everywhere but the airline industry. Why not adapt this thinking in to our industry? It would be a great motivator for employees. In terms the company would benefit too from motivated employees who like to earn a little extra.

Just a thought to inspire conversation.

It never amazes me on some of the threads that are created on this board.........Grow up guys

 

[Stifler's Mom]

It never amazes me on some of the threads that are created on this board.........Grow up guys

Welcome to the kiddie pool, aka the Regionals Board.:beer: