Tips question

[Lord Wakefield]

Chutzpah!!

This may be the thread NJAOwner needed to prove he's for real and not just some putz!


But as an NJA pilot, I don't like being compared with whores!!!


~ Jacob Cohen

 

[CRAWDADDY]

Tipping pilots was the Question of the Issue in the November edition of Aviation International News. Eighty-four responded; most interesting.

But I think the question that needs asked is : "If you serve people at the McDonald's of air transportation, should you expect a tip from the patrons?"

 

[NJAowner]

I'll give you the excerpts I think you may be interested in:

We take great pride in our pilots; they are among the most experienced and best trained in the world. As part of the management agreement with our Owners, NetJets agrees to provide pilots for your aircraft. We have been in negotiations with our pilots to amend their current agreement and on August 29 reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) with the Union leadership and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT).

The Union membership vote on the Tentative Agreement was counted on October 29 and indicated the company and its pilots have not yet reached an agreement on the amendment of the contract...

Our pilots are the most professional and service oriented aviators in the industry, and we will work hard to reach an agreement to compensate and motivate them. We are committed to this essential part of the NetJets family, and our expectations are for a rapid and positive resolution of our differences. The professionalism of our pilts is evident in the way they have worked during negotiations, in the voting process and in every flight they (or their husbands ... just kidding NJW) fly.


Don't flame me .... but this is about 1/2 of the letter.

Fly safe ... my family members ... but I don't have enough room to have all of you over for turkey next week.

 

[Hawkered]

It's time to add my comments here, seeing as though I've been absent for quite a while.

1. Nobody has told any of the owners I have flown that they shouldn't tip. No, I haven't asked, but, yes they tip so that settles it.

2. I don't expect tips and if they're offered I thank the owner, but not profusely, just poilitely and get along with business.

3. I always make sure that my flying partner gets the tip in front of the owner with the adage, "I don't have change for this, can you give me my half back later?"

4. Don't gloat about how much you get tipped or by whom. It's another part of the privacy issue that we're involved in.

NJA Owner

There are a great number of us who don't expect tips, still have fun at work, believe strongly in the fractional model and know that this will all come out in the wash.

Good night!

 

[Lord Wakefield]

McDonalds????

Hawkered and NJAOwner: Thanks for the kind remarks. They're part of what keeps us all behaving professionally.

Craw Daddy: I don't think the company salemen would promote us as the
"McDonalds of Fractionals" but you're right about not tipping for fast food.


Curiously, I've noticed that when flying Net-Jets Europe folks stateside, they nearly always tip. Different policy or culture?

 

[NJAowner]

McD

Hey -- I love McD's -- especially a Big Mac. I'd feel bad NJA were referred to as the Arby's, Krystal or White Castle of aviation.

And if NJA ever got to the point of "billions and billions" served, I think the pilots would do much better.

But then NJW would have to change her name to McDonald'sofAviationPilot'sWife -- MCAPW.

Fly safe.

 

[netjetwife]

'Owner, that would be a mouthful..lol...of a name for sure!

Lord W, that is an interesting observation about the European px/owners. When you consider that the tip is already included in restaurant charges there, it is even more surprising. So I don't think it's the culture. Perhaps the perceptions (of pilots being well paid) are different?

Hawkered, that's an excellent post! Too bad I can't say the same for that of your "evil twin". I just ran into him on another thread, spewing his usual venom. Very disappointing, to say the least.....

 

[CRAWDADDY]

interesting observation about the European px/owners. When you consider that the tip is already included in restaurant charges there, it is even more surprising. So I don't think it's the culture.

I never really thought about it, but it's true! Last month, I even had a European Owner (Brit) give me and the F/O 100 Euros each. To my knowledge the British don't use Euros. Maybe that's just his tip money?

Perhaps, the perceptions (of pilots being well paid) are different?

How is it that they know more than U.S. owners?

 

[netjetwife]

Crawdaddy, I was afraid that wasn't going to be clear. What I am suggesting is that perhaps the sales info in Europe doesn't give those owners an impression that the pilots are highly paid. As we saw in the excerpts from the letter 'Owner shared w/us (thanks again, for doing that) the company brags on its pilots in NJA. It would be reasonable for owners to expect that a company that takes "great pride" in its pilots would pay them accordingly. Isn't there less competition in Europe? If so, then they wouldn't need to use the pilots as a sales pitch there, as they are doing here----

"Our pilots are the most professional and service oriented aviators in the industry, and we will work hard to reach an agreement to compensate and motivate them."

If there is a notable difference in the amount of tipping between the 2 groups, perhaps it is a result of what they have been told about the pilots.

 

[netjetwife]

Don't flame me .... but this is about 1/2 of the letter.
Fly safe ... my family members ... but I don't have enough room to have all of you over for turkey next week.

I can see no reason to flame you; I think that it is decent of you to share your letter with us. What a nice sentiment! It reminds me of a card---- NJW

http://www.bluemountain.com/view.pd?i=105002790&m=1932&rr=y&source=bma999

 

[Hawkered]

Netjet Owner,

To be honest, you seem to have handled yourself with incredible humility, considering the bashing people give you on this board.

It makes me admire you.

Hope you move up to a bigger plane soon and bring some of your humble, but ambitious buddies with you. We could use a few more of you!

 

[Hawkered]

Netjet Wife,

Thanks for the card and kind words. You do have the interests of the pilot group in mind when making your comments.

I certainly respect the position of your husband and the many sacrifices that both of you have had to make for our country.

 

[netjetwife]

Thank you, Hawkered. It wasn't always easy--the AF life--but it was worth it. He enjoys his job at NJ, as well. The only problem is that it isn't worth it--YET! We are hopeful that that will change. I'd love to see a good contract for the NJ pilots help pull up wages for the rest of the industry. I feel badly for all pilots and their families that are in this situation. It isn't fair and it isn't right! I have learned that families of civilian pilots have a tough life, too. In the military, families can at least feel that their sacrifices have helped the country. There is no satisfaction in wondering if your family's difficult lifestyle is helping to make those like WB even wealthier.
NJW

PILOTS ARE PROFESSIONALS! PAY THEM AS SUCH!

A RISING TIDE SHOULD LIFT ALL BOATS!

 

[Hawkered]

Netjet Wife,

Tell your husband that if we all had wives out here nearly as supportive as you, we would be putting in a Senate or Congressman bid, not worrying about message boards.

You would run an incredible campaign!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[netjetwife]

Thanks for the kind words, Hawkered! You have a pretty supportive wife, yourself...

Speaking of campaigns...the one the FAILED MEC is running has been based on fear and falsehoods. I know how upset you were over the ballot fiasco, Hawkered, and their latest stunts/letters are just as bad! They are wasting time. As if 3 yrs weren't enough!!

Before I get carried away and forget what I stopped by for.... I'd better say that I have a card for everyone----

http://www.bluemountain.com/view.pd?i=105857580&m=1932&rr=y&source=bma999