Tips at FBOs

[leardawg]

Do you guys regularly tip FBO line personnel, and if so how much?

I don't believe in regular tipping for those who just do their jobs, but do tip those who put in a little extra effort and good attitude, go above and beyond what's expected of them, or do a particularly unpleasant task (i.e. lav service). I'll typically give $5 for bringing coffee/ice/papers (without having to be asked multiple times), for helping me load bags etc. I've given $10 and $20 to those who've really hustled and been helpful.

I'm always curious as to how much others give, and what if anything line people tend to expect (I've heard of Corporate guys throwing around $50 bills like they were confetti).

 

[Flyerjosh]

I tip, but only when I feel that a tip is warrented (along the same lines as you do). If a ramper is willing to give the same level of service to my Citation as he/she gives to the Gulfstream parked next to me, they will most likely get a tip. I will also pre-tip when I feel that it is in my best interest to get things moving along (like on very busy ramps or when I'm in a hurry).

My tips range from $5 to as high as $40 depending on the number of people that help out and the level of service they give/effort required (such as massive amounts of baggage). I think I've given $50 once to a ramper (but that was for exceptional service).

 

["Next Wave"]

Ditto to flyerjosh.

 

[mavrck]

i tip them, but only when I get tiped. If they did their job and it helped me get my share. I make sure I give it to them too.

What really gets me going though, is when you fly XYZ bigshot halfway across the country and then you get on the ground and he turns and tips the lineman for coming out and ckocking the airplane. All the while waving goodbye to you.

 

[coloneldan]

What really gets me going though, is when you fly XYZ bigshot halfway across the country and then you get on the ground and he turns and tips the lineman for coming out and ckocking the airplane. All the while waving goodbye to you.

Boy, I second that!!! I used to fly this idiot who would tip the lineguys for walking out to the airplane. I unloaded the bags from the airplane, loaded them into the car, or vice versa, while the line guys stood there and looked interested. Guess who got the tip.

Just one of the many reasons I'll hate that guy until Ted Kennedy votes Reublican.

 

[h25b]

O.K. here comes the tightwad outa me...

I will tip for anything out of the normal line of duty. Sorry, but getting the trash and general servicing of the aircraft is just part of the job. Especially if I have to pay some outrageous ramp/handling fee. If they help the passengers with the baggage (which they almost never do IMHO) our passengers will typically tip them. After all, it's not my bags... I find it sorta stupid to tip the linemen for the passengers. If I had been specifically told that it was expected to do this as company policy it would be another story. But I am not going to keep extra cash on me just to cover tips for the passengers. If line service gets stiffed they should be upset at the passengers, not the crew...

 

[BenderGonzales]

Sometimes I feel terribly guilty but no, we do not tip the line staff.

 

[h25b]

Sometimes I feel terribly guilty but no, we do not tip the line staff.

That kid looks like you already...

 

[BenderGonzales]

Poor little guy...

You talking about the giant forehead with no hairline? Or the rediculously large jewish nose?

 

[h25b]

Poor little guy...

You talking about the giant forehead with no hairline? Or the rediculously large jewish nose?

The giant forehead with no hairline. My son shares that trait with me as well. The great tragedy is that he'll actually get to enjoy a whole head of hair before it goes away.

 

[BenderGonzales]

solar panel for a sex machine!!

 

[patq1]

I tip a lot, especially at the FBOs that we go to often. That ensures that we get really good prompt service. The line guys always help with the bags and anything else that we need. They do it quickly and with a smile. Sure, in a perfect world everyone would provide all customers with superior service in the normal course of their work. Unfortunately, that's not how it works most of the time. Cash helps.

I apologize for making the rest of you look cheap.

 

[NYYfan]

last company i worked for it was the captains job to give the tips, which the company would pay for. But on multiple occasions i would tip the guys cause the captains didnt think they deserved a dime. New company im with will only allow to tip for lavs. and van rides anything else comes out of your own pocket

 

[PHX767]

While linemen will always get paid for looking attentive, I put them to work when possible. After landing, I say "Come with me and help with the bags" in a loud voice while pointing. If they don't get the message, my second statement is "no tip for you!" in my best soup nazi vioce! It works.

I don't usually tip line dudes for normal stuff, as has been mentioned before. And paying $50 for lav service usually makes the tip smaller.

 

[Groundpounder]

I was a line guy for 10 years. Customer who tipped me well always got better service than the ones that were cheap. First time customers always got good service.

Normally the capitan does all the tipping where I am now, but I will give the line guys something if they are giving good service. Also a well placed $20 will get us a GPU even if there aren't any available....lol

 

[xdrvr]

Generally tip $5-$20 a lot of it is based on their attitude and energy. Always tip the guy if we have the lav serviced -- barring he doesn't mess with the hose and then try to shake my hand still wearing his gloves ... really that has happened... gota have appreciation for those doing something that I wouldnt want to do

 

[smellthejeta]

I always try to give service I feel is worth tipping for. If you choose to thank me for my efforts, it's much appreciated, and if not, oh well. I can't hold it against you poor stiffs whose bosses forbid you from tipping. Afterall, that's who we all work for anyway. Part of my attitude comes from the fact my company pays me pretty well for the job I do and provides me an EXCELLENT wage. If lines guys were paid more than $11/hr in most big cities, you'd see much better service all around. I also know that if you get crappy service, all chances of tips have been eliminated (or significantly reduced... gotta love the pax who tip us for doing nothing!)

As far as "expected" amounts... $5 is farily standard if you choose to tip for lav service. Those that tip for coffe, ice, papers & catering tip up to $5. Van rides are typically $5 per crew (even if the hotel won't provide a shuttle this far out and the cab would cost you $20+). Those handfulls of dollars here and there really do add up.

As far as bags go -- yeah, pax tip for the bags and it really varies widely.

P.S. Flyerjosh, I'm glad to see you tip better now than you did when you were flying the stretched Challenger for a particular IAD based operator. You were a cheap ass back then

 

[jaxpilot]

Was a line guy myself for 2 years. We always knew who the good tippers were that came in often and we would go over the top for them. There would be days I would bring home $30 in tips. Generally always got compliments, even though we had pretty hefty handling fees if you did not purchase minimum fuel.

 

[leardawg]

I always try to give service I feel is worth tipping for. If you choose to thank me for my efforts, it's much appreciated, and if not, oh well. I can't hold it against you poor stiffs whose bosses forbid you from tipping. Afterall, that's who we all work for anyway. Part of my attitude comes from the fact my company pays me pretty well for the job I do and provides me an EXCELLENT wage. If lines guys were paid more than $11/hr in most big cities, you'd see much better service all around. I also know that if you get crappy service, all chances of tips have been eliminated (or significantly reduced... gotta love the pax who tip us for doing nothing!)

As far as "expected" amounts... $5 is farily standard if you choose to tip for lav service. Those that tip for coffe, ice, papers & catering tip up to $5. Van rides are typically $5 per crew (even if the hotel won't provide a shuttle this far out and the cab would cost you $20+). Those handfulls of dollars here and there really do add up.

As far as bags go -- yeah, pax tip for the bags and it really varies widely.

P.S. Flyerjosh, I'm glad to see you tip better now than you did when you were flying the stretched Challenger for a particular IAD based operator. You were a cheap ass back then

I was hoping for input from the line side. Very helpful, thanks!

 

[Mentorplt]

I am based out of a small FBO in FL. We have gone out of our way with our line guys to let them know if they help us, we will tip them. We get reimbursed for tips no questions asked. These guys are so lazy they won't help. Only one guy will do it and more so because he has become pretty friendly with us. When he gets the plane ready for us before we show (coffee, ice, nosepin), I always give him $5. He says he dosen't want it and enjoys doing it for us (a true professional), but of course always takes it. As for the rest of these guys here, I am assuming they get paid crap because they just don't care. The other major problem is these guys have no competiton, only FBO on the field.

I have been to certain places (TEB!!) with well known FBO's that expect a tip for average service.

Do most of these guys "pool" their tips or is what they get theirs???

my 2 cents...........


MP